Jonathan Herring is being tipped to take the Bank of Bermuda triathlon title on Sunday in the absence of fellow teenager Tyler Butterfield.

Butterfield, winner of the event for the last two years, is still ruled out by illness -- but expects to be back in action for the following week's team event.

Bermuda Triathlon Association president Neil de St. Croix, himself a contender in the individual event, rates Herring as the triathlete most likely to succeed Butterfield over the half-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and three-mile run.

"Tyler will be a big loss to the event,'' said de St. Croix last night. "But Jonathan is in good form and last time over the shorter distance he beat me by something like 58 seconds.'' Police physical trainer Steve Donnelly could also be up among the leading finishers, while Greg Hopkins, winner of the event several times, has the experience to stay in contention.

Hopkins returns after a long absence from triathlons while Donnelly is making a comeback after some time out with a back complaint.

The women's race may be more difficult to forecast. De St. Croix added: "I couldn't begin to predict who will win that. It's likely to be between Laurie Orchard and Karen Smith, who've traded places quite a bit this season, while Lynn Patchett will also have a chance.'' More than 100, including a number from overseas, have signed up for the event, with 13-year-old girls Ashley Kirkpatrick and Melissa DeSilva the youngest entrants.

"This is the biggest event on the triathlon calendar,'' said de St. Croix, "and it indicates the growing international interest in it.'' Another attraction will be the second junior ultra sprint duathlon, split into the age categories seven to nine and ten to 15. The younger competitors will contest a half-mile run, a two and a half mile bike ride and another half mile run, while the older ones will contest two separate mile runs either side of a five mile cycle.

All the races begin from Albouy's Point in Hamilton, the duathlon for seven to nine-year-olds at 8.00 a.m. and for the older youngsters at 8.20 a.m.

The main event gets underway at 9.00 a.m.

Butterfield won last year's race in a time of 56:42.

Race favourite: Jonathan Herring (right) will be the man to beat in the absence of defending champion Tyler Butterfield (left) in Sunday's Bank of Bermuda Triathlon.