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Doyling sets the pace

World Triathlon Championships qualifying event held at the United States Naval Annex on Sunday.In the race involving a one mile swim, 21 mile cycle and six mile run,

World Triathlon Championships qualifying event held at the United States Naval Annex on Sunday.

In the race involving a one mile swim, 21 mile cycle and six mile run, Doyling built up a sizeable advantage with the second fastest swim leg -- Huw Morris was first -- and best cycle, needing only to cruise in on the run to win by five minutes over Kevin Tucker. Doyling clocked in at 1:53:22 compared to 1:57:45 for Tucker.

In third place was better known runner Brett Forgesson, who recorded a creditable time of 1:57:57 aided by a blistering time of 33:52 in his speciality. Jeremy Ball, 22nd out of the water, was steady over the next two legs to wind up fourth in 2:01:41.

Among the women, Claude made up a lot of ground on the final run to emerge victorious by one minute ahead of Jeanna Jones. Claude clocked 2:13:48, while Jones had 2:14:48. Alison Stimpson made it a three horse race as she finished five seconds behind Jones.

Jones was third leaving the water behind Rita Gedney (first) and Stimpson (second) but took over following the cycle -- she was first -- only to be overhauled by Claude at the last hurdle.

The event also served as a qualifier for the World Triathlon Championships being held September 12, in Muskoka, Canada.

An elite Bermuda team of six men and six women has been selected to take part.

However, team selection received a blow with top competitors Doyling and Greg Hopkins unavailable. Doyling is a Seventh Day Adventist and the race takes place on a Saturday, while Hopkins is heavily involved in a business venture with his wife Mary Hopkins.

Bermuda did not send a team last year to Australia -- Stuart Claire went as an individual competitor -- because of the cost, but did have representatives in France for the 1989 championships as well as 1990 when Orlando played host.

"Basically we are going to compete,'' said Bermuda Triathlon Association president, Julia Hawley. "The top three teams are all professional. We're just too small to stand much of a chance against superior teams from countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.'' The group leaves Bermuda September 9, and returns September 13.

Bermuda's teams: Men -- Kevin Tucker, Neil de Ste. Croix, Steve Donnelly, Brett Forgesson, Jeremy Ball and George Sutherland; Women -- Melanie Claude, Claire Sousa, Alison Stimpson, Jane Christie, Lynn Kynoch and Jeanna Jones.

BRETT FORGESSON -- Reaccy to take on the world after finishing third overall in Sunday's triathlon qualifier.