BERMUDA'S top triathlete Flora Duff has capped a stunning year with her own website which will keep fans informed of her progress as she zeros on Olympic qualification for the 2008 Games in China.The site, which went online this week, highlights the massive turn-around in the teen's fortunes which saw her come eighth in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia earlier this year and second in the Junior World Championship in Lausanne, Switzerland.

She tells readers: "Not that long ago I was a bit depressed about how things were going. My first Junior Worlds in Japan was a disaster."

And shortly before that, in her first Olympic-distance event, the 2005 Windsor Triathlon, she ran a 48-minute ten kilometre race.

Now she is regularly shaving 13 minutes off that time — stunning progress in just 12 months.

She has also battled severe migraines when she was younger, shin problems that lasted about three years and a broken arm suffered in a 'fun' triathlon but now stands ready for further glory on the world stage.

"Whatever struggles I've had it was all worth it when I came across the line eighth in front of thousands and thousands of people at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia."

Now enjoying a lull after her efforts Duffy will soon crank up the pace ahead of her next World Cup race in May in Lisbon, Portugal.

Goals for this season are top ten or 20 finishes in the World Cup races to get enough points for the Olympics.

Speaking from her base in England, where she is studying leisure management, she told The Mid-Ocean News: "Right now I am 28th in the rankings — you have to be in the top 55.

"If the Olympics were tomorrow I would be on the starting line."

Asked what was realistic for the Olympics she said: "A top 20 finish would be nice but my coach talks about top ten but I think he's just saying that."

And her proud Bermuda coach Neil de ste Croix, who has been with her since she was seven, says she's fully on target for the chance of a top three finish at the Beijing Olympics.

"She will definitely make the Olympics barring any injuries. If she keeps up the progress she is definitely a podium contender.

"I am very proud to have been involved and see how she has developed. Last year was totally amazing.

"It's phenomenal. She's a world-class athlete. I would say she is pretty much the leading sports person in Bermuda right now at the world level. She's 39th in the International Triathlon Union rankings.

"I can't think of any other athlete in Bermuda who has their own website."

It features results, a schedule and photos while fans will enjoy her diary and the ability to send her messages of encouragement.

Duffy hopes the snazzy site will help sell her to potential backers to fund further trips to races.

"At the moment I sent out letters to my sponsors but hopefully when this is up and running people can see exactly what I have accomplished."

Despite all the attention for her achievements she said the website had made her progress finally sink in.

"A lot of top athletes have their own websites. It's quite cool to have one. It makes me feel I have achieved something this year. It's weird but to be at that level to have a website — it brings it home to me.

"This season was amazing. I could not have expected it to go so well. I have been all around the world with top athletes. It's a great experience."

Now ranked 39th in the world she wants to represent Bermuda at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games and become a successful professional triathlete.

"I am only 19. Most triathletes are in their late 20s and early 30s. I have another ten years left in the sport."

[obox] Log on to www.floraduffy.com to follow Flora's progress.