speakers in the world at the annual World Debate Championships.

Jordan Zancanella, of the Bermuda College, Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch, of the Bermuda High School for Girls, and Saltus Grammar School students Eli Lipschultz, Ryan Marshall, and Kalilah Robinson all leave for London on Thursday.

The students' ages range from 15 to 17.

Bermuda will also send Chris Harris, Mary Murray, and Elizabeth Virgo as judges for the event.

David Saul, president of the Bermuda Debate Society, said the team's chances for the international event were good.

In past years the local team has climbed as far as the quarter-finals.

"When you consider who they are going against -- from Australia to Canada to Wales to Czechoslovakia -- to get to the quarter-finals is really quite superb for a little, tiny island,'' said Dr. Saul.

"They are all very good and very disciplined,'' he added.

And team member Ruth agreed the group -- which is coached by Spice Valley Middle School teacher Gladstone Thompson -- was well-prepared for the contest.

They have all been researching, practising, and meeting twice a week since December, she said.

The first round of the championship will be held on January 30 with the finals scheduled a week later.

But before reaching the finals, Bermuda's youngsters will have to pass four rounds of debates on known topics and two centred on subjects supplied just one hour before a debate.

Prepared topics include the legislation of performance enhancing drugs in sport, arguing the case for the International Criminal Court, laws to protect the rights of animals, and whether or not the Kyoto Environmental Summit was sufficiently extensive.

Ruth pointed out that the group's diverse make-up could prove especially effective.

"In the impromptu we will be fairly strong because with the five of us we can cover a lot of topics and interests,'' she explained.

And she went on to add that as a person who enjoyed speaking and arguing, taking part in debates was a natural progression.

"But you have to keep informed,'' she said.

Draws to determine the international match-ups and the sides teams must argue have not yet been made.