outdoor season, triple jumper Brian Wellman now has his sights on competing on the European circuit and peaking for a trio of major meets later this summer.

Wellman followed up a victory at the Texas El Paso Invitational in April with another one on Saturday at the New York Games athletics Grand Prix to serve notice to the rest of the world that he will be a significant force this year.

The reigning Bermuda Athlete of the Year had the best outdoor leap thus far in the season of 57 feet, 11 inches while in Texas, with coach and rival Mike Conley possessing the next best effort, 57 feet, 3 inches.

His winning jump in New York was 54 feet, 10 inches.

Wellman puts his early success to his ability to undertake serious base training -- mostly weight training -- in the off-season to strengthen his body, something he was unable to do in previous years due to nagging back problems.

"Right now everything is going really well and things are coming together,'' said the 26-year-old.

While Wellman said that he had not set any goals for this year, high on the list is a Commonwealth Games gold medal to go with the bronze he captured at the World Indoor Championships last year in Toronto. On current form that appears entirely possible, with the Bermudian sure to be listed as one of the favourites at the August spectacle in Victoria, British Columbia.

He estimated that a distance of somewhere in the mid-57 or 58 feet area would be good enough to assure the gold medal and was hopeful he would be the one.

Wellman will also participate at the Goodwill Games and this weekend will compete at the Bruce Jenner Invitational in California.