Triathlon season kicks off this Sunday with the Pirate's Port junior and senior events at Clearwater Beach, Southside.

Sunday's races are aimed at athletes of all abilities as Bermuda Triathlon Association continue their drive to attract more participants to the multi discipline sport.

The feature event will be the Olympic distance race including a 1500 metre swim, 40 kilometre cycle and 10K run, although being early season a number of athletes may opt for the shorter race over half these distances.

Also scheduled is a "super sprint" event designed for beginners and teams of one swimmer, one cyclist and one runner.

Jamie Pedro, currently preparing for the Small Island Games, will start as a firm favourite for the overall men's title in the Olympic race as he's strong in both the swim and bike. After a great start to 2002, Pedro fell away later in the season and he'll be hoping to recapture the form that saw him post a sub two hour, eight minute time last year.

Pedro has shown in local road races that he is a capable runner but has yet to show the same form when running off the bike.

Should he falter, his most likely challengers will be either Jamie Brown, Riaan Naude or Norbert Meyer.

Naude won the recent National Duathlon Championships but is likely to concede six to eight minutes to Pedro during the swim. Naude, who usually finishes in the top three in local running races, may have too much to do going into the run to catch Pedro.

Brown, a relative newcomer to the Island, and Meyer will also trail Pedro by a few minutes after the swim but could be within striking distance if they can stay close on the bike. Veteran Jeff Conyers, who will also be participating in the Island Games, will be looking for a top five finish and the men's 40-49 title.

With national champion Karen Smith opting for the shorter event as she's still recovering from an injury that has limited her running, the door will be left open for sisters Deanna and Kim McMullen to battle it out for top honours among the women.

Deanna will start as favourite as she has shown that she has a stronger swim and bike than sister Kim. Lea Butterfield, who along with Deanna will be at Small Island Games, should round out the top three.

The sprint event promises to be competitive with a host of promising juniors battling out with the adults.

Jason Krupp should be one of the first out of the water and his biking skills should see him build an insurmountable lead going into the 5K run. However, 15 year-olds Geoffrey Smith, who finished fourth in last year's Bank of Bermuda Triathlon, and Khamari Greaves, Coyatito Smith and Dominique Nanette are all capable of challenging Krupp for overall honours if they can limit Krupp's lead off the bike.

Should he enter the sprint event, Neil de ste Croix will also be in contention for a top three finish.

On the women's side, Karen Smith should have things her own way. Although her running has been limited she should still prove too strong for the rest of the field as her cycling has substantially improved this season. Junior Flora Duffy and the experienced Karen Madeiros are likely to round out the top three.

Entry forms are available until 5 p.m. on Friday from Sportseller or Winners Edge Bike Shop or online at raceday.bm.