During the next three weeks, if you spot two fit-bodied young men plunging into choppy waves, pedalling furiously along Bermuda's roads or running for miles on end, spare a minute and watch them.

You'll be getting a first-hand insight into the makings of a professional triathlete.

Bermuda's leading triathlete, Tyler Butterfield, is home for three weeks as he builds up to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and he is introducing his friend Australian Brad Kahlefeldt - a rising name in the triathlon world - to the Island as they continue training towards their respective goals for this year.

"It's about 13 weeks away now. At four weeks away you want to be at race fitness so I only have about eight or nine weeks of solid training left. While I am here I'll be training pretty hard. Then I'd like to go to San Diego (California) and train but that's still iffy at the moment," said Butterfield yesterday, discussing his Commonwealth calendar.

The 19-year-old, who is in his first year as a professional triathlete, will participate in Sunday's 2nd Annual Shell Gold Cup Triathlon at Clearwater Beach, Southside. Kahlefeldt, ranked in the world's top 40, will also be in action. However, he will only be running as he joins forces with swimmer Steve Castree and national cycling coach Greg Hopkins in a team effort.

"I'm looking forward to this event and to doing as many races as possible while I am here," said Butterfield.

The 19-year-old is fresh from a creditable 49th-place in a field of 70 competitors at the St. Anthony's World Cup in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was the latest in a string of achievements for the Bermudian who has made Australia his home in his quest to become among the elite in triathlon.

"It gave me some confidence in myself which I needed and I don't think I embarrassed myself. I represented the country well so I was pleased," said Butterfield of his first World Cup outing.

The former Saltus Grammar student is enjoying his initiation as a professional sportsman, even the rigorous training which starts at daybreak six days a week. It's a lifestyle which he hopes to continue for some time as he pursues his goals.

"So far, it's been a good year. I like getting up and just training. I'd like to go to college sometime but I don't know when," he said.

"I want to race the rest of this year and next year work on World Cup points (to get a good world ranking) and try and qualify for the Olympics. So I'd like to give this a go until at least 2004. If I haven't made it by then I might just go to college and just do triathlons for fun. I'll always do sports."

His marked improvement has been highlighted by the steady lowering of his times in swimming - the weakest area of his race.

"It's the first discipline in triathlon and if you fall behind you're just playing catch-up all day," noted Butterfield who plans to concentrate on his strokes in both pools and the ocean in the coming weeks.

He also plans to get used to wearing a wetsuit as required in the Commonwealth Games where he is aiming to be among the top 25 finishers.

His goal for the Junior World Championships in Cancun, Mexico, in November is more ambitious as he believes he has a good medal shot.

Kahlefeldt, 22, is also on a mission - to conquer the Under-23 category at the World Championships; a new division bridging the gap between the Juniors and Professionals.

"It can be very disheartening to come out of the junior ranks doing well, placing in the top three or top five, and then all of a sudden you're with the big boys and you get a drilling.

"That's when many juniors drop out - the Under-23 period - that's why they have introduced this category so they can help keep young triathletes going," said the New South Wales native.

Like Butterfield, he began as a middle-distance runner before stretching his sporting horizon to the triple-treat of triathlon in 1993. He turned professional three years ago.

"I am slowly starting to make it and see some results come through but I've still got a few more years to grow. I want to get to No. 1 - that's my goal.

"I want to win a world championship and possibly be Olympic champion, but the Olympics only come every four years so it's very hard to throw everything into that in case something goes wrong," said Kahlefeldt who was fifth at St. Anthony's.

Both triathletes live in Southport on the Gold Coast and are under the astute tutelage of Bill Daveron, Australia's assistant national triathlon coach.

Butterfield's guest noted it's a mutual benefit having the Bermudian among the Aussies "cause he's a great runner and bike rider and he learns off us in the pool".