Flora Duffy, the Bermuda triathlete, will officially kick off her 2016 Olympic qualifying campaign at today’s ITU Dallas Pan American Championships in Irving, Texas.

Duffy is among a formidable women’s field that will tackle the 1,500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike and 10km run.

At stake are precious points that participants will look to cash in on to bolster their qualifying bids for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“There are a lot of Olympic points up for grabs, which I want,” Duffy said.

The two-times Olympian is competing in this event for the first time and will have her work cut out competing against some of the world’s best at this level.

“There are a few strong girls on the start list, so I will have to use my strengths — the swim and bike — to try and break away,” she said.

Duffy will also have to contend with sweltering conditions in Texas. “It is very hot in Dallas,” she said.

“I have been in Boulder [Colorado] since March, so I have not had much exposure to hot weather in the past few months. The extreme temperatures will make the race difficult.

“Other than the hot weather, the course is very boring, especially compared with a fun XTERRA mountain-bike course. Both the bike and run are flat out-and-back loops.”

Duffy is pumped up for today’s ITU event, her first in months. “I have not done an ITU race in a while, so I am really excited to suit up in my red Bermuda suit and race,” she said.

“I am in pretty good shape physically, although I have been struggling with a cold this past week.

“I have had to rest a little more than usual due to the cold, so hopefully the extra rest works in my favour. Either way, it will be good to get an ITU race done.”

Duffy is entering today’s ITU event with her confidence soaring after her three consecutive wins in the XTERRA Series, the last of which arrived at the Southeast Championships in Pelham, Alabama, this month.

“I am fairly confident I can have a good race, even though I’m not 100 per cent,” she said. “Hopefully I feel good and can do just that. Time will tell.”

Duffy is competing with a foot injury that has yet to fully recover. “The injury is in a manageable stage at the moment,” she said. “It is not 100 per cent fixed, but enough that I can run.

“It is not ideal, but something I know how to deal with. I will be running a lot between now and Commonwealth Games, so it is important I get the injury cleared up.”

Also competing from Bermuda in the event will be Tyler Smith and Erica Hawley. The pair normally race in the 13-15 age group, so the 16-19 category will be big step up.

The juniors will tackle a 750-metre swim, 20km bike and 5km run.