scheduled for Sunday (3 p.m. start) at the United States Naval Annex.

Race organiser Tony Smith, however, was undaunted, saying that this was not unusual and that he expected a flood of entries by the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline to boost the figure to around 150.

Last year saw 142 threesomes attempting the one-mile swim, 15-mile cycle and 10-kilometre run with the team of Kevin Insley, Neil de Ste. Croix and Mark Perry emerging as overall champions.

They were successful in outduelling 1991 winners Mary Hopkins, Greg Hopkins and Brett Forgesson to clock 1:29:03, just missing the course record by six seconds.

However, a new team is sure to take the podium this year as Perry last night revealed that he will not be competing due to injuries to both legs.

He is currently undergoing ultra-sound treatments to relieve recurring tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon and has a similar problem with his right knee, a condition that hampered him throughout the road running season.

"I've had it since May and haven't run in the past three weeks and I'm trying to get it cleared up before I do anything else,'' said Perry. "If I go out there it will only set me back.'' Perry explained that newlywed de Ste. Croix had requested he return for this year's event, but it appears that the latter will have to find another capable person to partner him and swimmer Insley.

There has also been a break-up in the successful crew of the Hopkinses and Forgesson, with Mary opting for a crack at the women's title with Melanie Claude (cyclist) and Jane Christie (runner).

Other categories to be contested involve juniors (under 16), masters (over 40), family and company.

Competitors and spectators expecting to enter the base by motor cycle are advised of regulations requiring them to wear goggles.