Bermuda Triathlon Association.

Reigning triathlon king Neil de Ste Croix beat out Patrick Hackenberg for the presidency at the BTA's recent annual general meeting and vowed to ensure that many of the existing programmes continue to head in a positive direction. "I think we have a pretty strong committee, so I know the executives will work well together in continuing the association's aims, which is to promote the sport in Bermuda. And we have a good membership, which I know will continue to provide the support we will need to be successful,'' he said.

Without revealing any immediate plans, such as adding new competitions, de Ste Croix said he was pleased with the development of the sport both at a junior and senior level and was satisfied with Bermuda's participation internationally.

"The youth programme in particular is going exceedingly well. It's been a major success and we want to continue to see it go from strength to strength because they are our future athletes,'' he said. "And now that triathlon has been accepted as an Olympic sport, we will perhaps see the first local (triathlete) compete in the Olympics in the near future.'' Bermuda's involvement at an international level meant that it was possible for Island triathletes to get the vital exposure needed to be competitive at a higher level and this was another area de Ste Croix felt that advances were being made.

"It's always good that our athletes get the chance to compete overseas. The World Championships will be in Perth (Australia) next November. Bermuda have been represented for quite a number of years .. . and I don't think this will change,'' he said. "There will be a few people who will probably go but I don't know the numbers because there obviously will be a financial restraint because of the distance involved. But I would hope that we will be able to see anywhere from five to ten people.'' Also elected to BTA executive were: Andrew Doble (vice president); Richard Jenkyn (secretary); Jamie Jared (treasurer) and Steve Donnelly (PRO).