There could be no doubt in the mind of anyone watching yesterday's Bank of Bermuda Individual Triathlon that Kent Richardson was on a mission and Karen Smith in a class of her own.

Richardson and Smith claimed overall honours, living up to their pre-race billing as the hot favourites.

But there was a warning in the form of Geoffrey Smith and Flora Duffy that there are juniors waiting in the wings to take over at the top, maybe sooner than many would have expected.

Blustery winds and choppy waters in Hamilton Harbour greeted over 70 competitors in the most popular of Bermuda's triathlons, but fortunately a short rain shower quickly passed just before the start, allaying fears of slippery road surfaces.

And there were no slips from Richardson who finally shed the bridesmaid tag with his first big local victory.

Richardson was bubbling with excitement after his win. "This is great, I came out of the water about a minute thirty down and was happy with that. I hammered on the bike and was a bit surprised I pulled those guys back so quickly but when I saw them on lap two I sort of held back a bit and then went past as fast as I could."

Giving recognition to youngster Matthew Herring, Richardson continued: "All credit to Matthew, he tried to go with me, so I sort of cruised until lap four and then just went for it and that was it."

Realising the importance of having the fastest bike split of the day Richardson explained: "I felt so strong on the bike, I have been working out on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Melanie (Claude) and Julia (Hawley) and it has really helped. I would say to all triathletes, get out there and mix it up with cyclists. I felt so great going into the run, I am so, so happy."

Right from the start, 15-year-old Herring showed his intentions as he quickly took the lead in the swim with a thin line of the top contenders strung out behind him over the 750 metre harbour course.

But it must have been music to Richardson's ears when race official Patrick Hackenburg openly admitted in the pre-race briefing that the swim course was short, as the favourite knew he had to limit his losses in his weakest discipline. And limit them he did.

Herring exited the water at Albouy's Point first with Adam Petty, Jim Hinton and Jamie Pedro all in close contention, with a hard chasing Richardson in a small group one minute and 33 seconds behind, including top woman Smith, who was trailing 14-year-old Duffy by 49 seconds.

By the end of the first of five laps on the 12-mile bike course, Herring still held the lead over Pedro and Hinton but it was soon obvious that Richardson was in his element and on an inspired ride as he cut the deficit by half rounding the Bank of Bermuda just 40 seconds behind the leader. Smith was equally impressive as she closed Duffy's lead to just 15 seconds.

In a see-saw battle at the front, Pedro took the lead on lap two over Herring but just by inches, with Richardson now just 10 seconds behind and looking stronger with every pedal stroke. In the women's race Duffy and Smith were locked together for the lead.

When the riders emerged from behind the Bank into the view of the spectators on the next lap, the writing was on the wall as Richardson had taken the lead with Herring desperately trying to hang on, and Pedro now losing ground. Smith had also thrown down the gauntlet and was pulling away from Duffy on each lap.

By the end of the fifth lap, the 42-year old Richardson was in command as he opened up a 48-second lead over Pedro who had once again passed a now fading Herring a further 11 seconds back. Coming off the bike, Smith had now pulled up to sixth place overall some two minutes behind Richardson but close enough to Pedro and Herring to cause them some nervous looks knowing the strength of her running.

After one lap of the three-lap run Richardson began to relax and enjoy the race as he learned he had pulled ahead by a minute and 30 seconds over Pedro and Herring who were neck and neck for second. But just eight seconds behind was a fast chasing Andrew Davis who had quietly worked his way through the field into fourth with Smith now just 35 seconds back.

With the final lap of one mile remaining, Richardson had built an insurmountable lead with Davis now in second place one minute and 40 seconds behind and Pedro fading in third with Herring now out of contention, clearly paying for his early efforts. As Pedro looked over his shoulder, however, he saw his top three placing was far from safe as Smith pounded to what would be the fastest run split overall for the day.

Richardson went on to relish a well-earned victory, taking high fives from spectators as he crossed the line in one hour, three minutes and 42 seconds. And he had time to catch his breath and take it all in as it would be another two minutes before Davis would come into the finish, whooping and punching the air with delight as he took second place in 1.05.48 with a fast closing Smith taking the women's race and third overall in 1.06.15, with Pedro a further minute back in fourth.

The shock of the day, however, came just 17 seconds later when 13-year-old Geoffrey Smith crossed the line in seventh place after a sensational performance.

A delighted Davis said of his second place performance: "I knew what I had to do today. I wanted to do a 32 to 33 bike leg and as long as I was a minute behind Jamie and Matthew going into the run I knew I could pull it back."

Regarding Richardson, he said: "He was flying, I knew I couldn't catch him unless something went wrong for him, I am happy for him."

A triumphant Smith put her performance in into perspective. "Once I caught Flora I just started to focus on the men that were ahead of me, I don't think of myself as being out alone in front of the women but think more about catching the men to help me concentrate.

"The leaders were about a minute and a half ahead and I just kept focused and could see them fading and I felt stronger with every step. This is probably the most exciting event to win in Bermuda because everyone comes out to race and the spectators are great."

Second place Duffy said: "I was a bit nervous going into the race. I was pleased to stay ahead of Karen for a while, she didn't catch me until the second lap which surprised me a bit, but I'm definitely pleased with my performance."