While the individual event would appear a done deal with a clear set of favourites, tomorrow's Bank of Bermuda Team Triathlon presents a host of possibilities.

The combining of both the team and individual competitions into one mad scramble due to venue constraints has forced a reshuffling of several teams, creating the prospect for new champions.

There will certainly be a new overall champion team with the disbanding of the Trevor Ferguson/Clark Tear/Tracy Wright trio, who triumphed a year ago in one hour, 25 minutes, 59 seconds when Clearwater Beach was the venue.

Tear may yet find himself among the winners' circle again as he has forged links with swimmer Annette Budge and top distance runner Kavin Smith this time around.

Budge can be counted on to at least keep the team in contact with the leaders in the water. Tear, a former cycling champ, can more than hold his own on the two wheel vehicle. And Smith, fresh from an intense training trip to England, is known to have sizzled a few roads in his career.

Offering the keenest challenge to this trio will likely be another triumvirate using a female swimmer, that being the team of Mary Hopkins, Tim Palmer and former May 24 Marathon Derby winner Brett Forgesson.

Like the Smith-led squad, this one is nicely balanced with players at or near the highest level of their discipline.

However, if either falter room could be made for the likes of Abigail Madeiros, Dana Henry and Sheldon Thompson to wade through the pack.

Still, several more contests abound, with a notable one occurring in the Masters Division, where reigning champions Duncan Newby, Jeff Payne and Harry Patchett face a stern challenge to their crown.

Hoping to wrest away the title are Jim Hinton, Paul Shrubb and Neil Halliday.

In the Female Division the Jamie Jared/Ann Spurling/Karen Adams collection looks strong as do the junior teams of Ronald Cowen/Duncan Simon/Jahmal Scott, Stephen Troake/Kris Hedges/Calvert Lee and Nuri Latham/Jonathan Herring/Joel Duffy.

The Mason family stand favoured in that category, with husband and wife Richard and Kim Mason teaming with runner Rod Allen, Kim's brother.

Mark Glusing, the man who had been expected to challenge Neil de Ste. Croix in tomorrow's individual triathlon, will not be competing.

Glusing departed Bermuda yesterday for Hawaii where he will spend a week getting acclimatised before taking part in the Gatorade Ironman Triathlon World Championship on October 7.

Known for his determination and endurance, Glusing has completed three Ironman Canada events as well as the Powerman Duathlon and said that the Hawaii race would offer a new challenge.

"The Ironman is the ultimate one day physical challenge,'' said Glusing, also an established rugby player on the Island. "I enjoy the mental battle that begins at mile 20 of the marathon.'' The upcoming race will consist of a 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112 mile cycle and 26.2 mile run, to be completed within 17 hours.

Training for the race typically requires 18 to 24 hours per week for six to eight months to develop the stamina and endurance needed to complete the 140.6 mile race.

As many as 1,500 contestants are expected for the race, which has Australian Greg Welch and Paula Newby-Fraser as the respective male and female defending champions. Welch won a year ago in eight hours, 20 minutes, 27 seconds compared to 9:20.14 for Newby-Fraser.

Meanwhile, another absentee for tomorrow is Steve Donnelly, who has not entered the race because of a knee injury.

Donnelly was the third local finisher at last Sunday's ITU Triathlon World Cup behind de Ste. Croix and Glusing.