Front Street when he competes with 14-year-olds Graham Smith and Jonathan Herring in the Bank of Bermuda team triathlon.

Butterfield, himself only 15, set a new course record last weekend en route to winning the National Sprint Championships which saw him have the fastest legs on the bike and run.

Now the youngster, already clearly established as a threat amongst men twice his age, can concentrate solely on the run while Smith starts things off with the swim and Herring takes over with the bike ride.

And while the trio will certainly be amongst the favourites, they won't have things their own way against more experienced teams Kevin Insley (swim), Greg Hopkins (cycle) and Brett Forgesson (run) and the trio of Nuri Latham (swim), MacInnis Looby (bike) and Kevin Smith (run).

Swimming is not considered Latham's strongest discipline as he recently just competed in a cycle camp in Colorado.

That may leave Looby, just back from the Commonwealth Games, with some catching up to do. If there is some time to catch up on the run, what better man to have on your team than Kavin Smith, the Island's premier runner.

Two other teams are also capable of posing a real threat in the open category.

Swimmer Craig Roberts, cyclist Neil de ste Croix and American Michael Kraemer (third last weekend) in the run bear some watching as do Michael O'Connor, Whayman Butterfield and Jay Donawa.

Last year's winners were Hopkins, Forgesson and Trevor Ferguson, who has been competing in the Commonwealth Games, so Insley, also a top swimmer, replaces him.

More than 80 teams have signed up for the 10th annual event which pleases triathlon association president de ste Croix.

"Our numbers are up on last year substantially, so things are looking very good,'' said the president. "I'm delighted to see the increased interest in the bank event, especially as it is the 10th event.'' Amongst the women, the team of Lindsey Taylor, Laurie Orchard and Anna Eatherley look to be the favourites.

Last year's winners were Claire Mancell, Melanie Claude and Lynn Patchett.

Amongst the 20 company teams, the Bermuda Telephone company team which includes Darren Dowling and Sheldon Thompson could be one of the strongest teams along with David Cash, Heather Brand and Stewart McKellor.

The male and female masters favourites are the teams of Eloy Castroverde, Steven Petty and Jim Butterfield and Colleen Nelson, Kim Mason and Jane Christie.