New champions will be crowned in the individual senior competitions at the Liberty Mutual National Sprint Triathlon Championship at Clearwater Beach tomorrow.

Nick Pilgrim and Ashley Couper, last year’s champions, are not defending their titles. Pilgrim is competing overseas while Couper is doing a team race.

For the men, the race for the title should be between Jackson Langley and Alex Waldauer. Maddie Durkin and Marie-Lyne Dore are the favourites to win the women’s top prize.

The 15-year-old Langley, a member of Bermuda’s team heading to Barbados in August for the Carifta Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships, is looking for more exposure in the sport, as he prepares for bigger competitions.

“It’s good for me to gain experience in the sprint category of triathlon because I just recently qualified for the US Triathlon National Championships,’’ Langley said. “Just getting familiar with those distances gets me used to the different tactics.”

Dore achieved success early this month when she was the first female overall at the half-Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts in Springfield.

“I feel good and in good shape, but I’m still tired from the half-Ironman in Massachusetts ,’’ Dore said.

“It’s a strong field, I know Maddie is doing it and she won it several times. We'll see how it goes, I’m excited to race locally and it’s always a great event.”

In terms of the team competition, Sam Williamson, Alex Pilgrim and Cameron De Ste Croix are hugely expected secure the win.

Tomorrow’s event will also provide the Bermuda Triathlon Association with an opportunity to finalise the Carifta team.

So far, 37 have booked their spots ahead of Monday’s deadline, with Steven Petty, the BTA president, stating that they will use the Liberty Mutual to settle any minimal issues that need to be settled in relation to the qualifiers.

“It’s the final Carifta qualifier chance to decide where there are marginal differences,’’ Petty said.