Flora Duffy has urged island residents to make a “wall of noise” at MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda on Saturday.

The Commonwealth champion said cheers and flag- waving could create a tremendous atmosphere for competitors.

She said: “I just hope that really creates such a great atmosphere in the race and I think for those of us competing, that’s what you remember and those details go a long way — a wall of noise up Corkscrew Hill would just be perfect.”

Ms Duffy was speaking in a video posted online as organisers announced prime viewing spots to watch cyclists and runners compete in Saturday’s event.

A spokeswoman said fan zones would be set up along the route by community groups and the public are encouraged to join in or set up their own areas “with noisemakers, tents, chairs, coolers, picnics and refreshments”.

She added that restaurants and cafés in Hamilton would be open, including those with balcony views of the racecourse.

No 1 Car Park on Front Street will be transformed into a blue-carpeted ITU triathlon transition zone.

There will be bike racks, a finish chute and a free public viewing deck with large screen TVs, available on a first come, first served basis.

The spokeswoman said sidewalks on Front Street would also make for “optimal viewing for the bike and run legs of the morning’s Age Group Amateur and the afternoon’s Elite races”.

A fan zone for Port Royal Primary school, attended by Ms Duffy, will be on the corner of Reid Street and Burnaby Hill.

Pupils, former pupils, parents, teachers and friends have been invited to watch the cyclists fly down Reid Street from Cavendish Road and take the sharp turn at the bottom into Queen Street.

An international fan zone will be set up in the area in front of the Cabinet Grounds on Front Street, with flags of the 33 nations taking part on display.

A Warwick Academy fan zone will be set up at the bottom of Crow Lane, where viewers can watch cyclists take Trimingham Hill and the first switchback into Corkscrew Hill.

The school has invited pupils, former pupils, parents, teachers and friends to join them. Free parking will be available at the Botanical Gardens and the Arboretum.

At the top of Corkscrew Hill, DJ Chubb will playing music and fans can gather for the day at Avocado Lodge Park. Ashley’s Lemonade will be in place for refreshments.

The spokeswoman added: “This is a great place to enjoy the day with friends, park for free at the Arboretum and see the best cyclists take on Corkscrew without breaking a sweat.”

Competitors could face bad weather conditions, with the Bermuda Weather Service yesterday forecasting showers, increasing winds and a risk of thunderstorms into Saturday afternoon.

The forecast for today’s opening ceremony, which features Bermuda’s young athletes taking centre stage, is for sunny periods and decreasing southwesterly winds by the afternoon.

The opening ceremony will be Ms Duffy’s first public appearance since the Commonwealth Games, and will coincide with the 25th anniversary of Harbour Nights, starting at 7pm.

A few showers and increasing winds are forecast for Friday, when more than 200 youngsters compete in the Tokio Millenium Re Kids Duathlon on Front Street.

Saturday’s Elite races will be broadcast live on Bermuda Broadcasting TV-7 and online at royalgazette.com

Racecourse maps are available at tribermuda.com