the toughest race in the world -- the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon -- following a stunning performance in Ironman Europe on Sunday.

Competing before a crowd of more than 100,000 in and around the German town of Roth, Shelp finished the gruelling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run in ten hours, six minutes and 36 seconds. It's one of the fastest times ever recorded by an Island triathlete over the Ironman distance.

And it means Shelp will now travel to Hawaii in early October for the Ironman Championships, which is limited to 1,500 of the world's top triathletes. More than 25,000 competitors from 50 countries annually attempt to make the Hawaii standard.

Fierce winds made Sunday's race an even more painful test of endurance.

"It was the hardest race I've ever done,'' he said from his hotel yesterday.

"The wind was brutal and that made the bike ride more difficult than the terrain would suggest.

"Ironman is already tough, but add rain, wind and cold and it tests your limits even further. But the crowds were supportive of all the athletes, not just the professionals -- it was amazing. They stayed on until the very end, even in the rain.'' Only a handful of Bermuda triathletes have ever competed in the Hawaii event including pioneer Jim Butterfield who, back in 1981, clocked ten hours, 31 minutes and 26 seconds to place seventh overall.

Sunday's race in Germany attracted a field of 2,704 including many professionals, making it the world's largest Ironman.

Shelp was accompanied by his wife, Tanis, and Bermuda's Jon Brunson and Greg Bernius, all of whom completed the race.

While Shelp placed 319th overall -- out of the 2,700-plus field -- and 55th in his age group (35-39), Tanis clocked a personal best of 11:34:38 to place 63rd out of 270 women and 16th in her age group (35-39).

Brunson finished in 11:59:51 to place 1,566th (345th in the 35-39 age group) and Bernius in 13:34:13 for 2,104th overall (463rd in the 35-39 group).

Following an out and back swim in the Roth canal where the water temperature hovered around 60 degrees, competitors then embarked on a two-loop bike course. The marathon was over a mainly flat course on sidewalks and gravel trails, Shelp said.

Said Brunson: "The rain and wind was scary. There were many times I felt like catching the bus -- the bike was a killer.

"But then seeing the little kids wanting to give you a high five and then smile with excitement when you did was just an awesome feeling.'' Tanis, who hopes to accompany her husband to Hawaii although she won't be able to compete, sliced 55 minutes off her best Ironman time, having competed in two previously.

"I felt stronger than I've felt in any race before,'' she said. "The crowds were fantastic. Many saw `Bermuda' marked on my racing gear and asked if I was warm enough on the bike. Two women actually offered me their coats.'' Andy Shelp