of competing in tomorrow's National Duathlon Championships -- despite having been cited by defending champ Neil de Ste. Croix as the favourite.

De Ste. Croix, Bermuda's first finisher in last weekend's ITU World Cup Traithlon, said in a report yesterday that Hopkins had "been training like a demon'' and considered him the main threat to his title.

But Hopkins responded: "I haven't entered and I won't be competing. I don't know where Neil got his information from. I haven't run for months.'' Hopkins' absence should leave de Ste. Croix a clear path to complete his third straight win with Steven Doyling, Kevin Tucker or Brett Forgesson likely to provide the strongest competition.

Shona Palmer, Julia Hawley and visiting Lynn Kynoch are seen as the best bets among the women.

The event, two 5K runs sandwiched around a 30K cycle, gets underway from Clearwater Beach, St. David's at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow.

SWIMMING SW The fourth in the series of ocean swim races takes place in Harrington Sound tomorrow (4.00 p.m.), with more than 40 participants expected to compete over the one and two-third mile distance.

Mike Cash and Sarah Mancell currently lead the series, having accumulated the most points during three previous events.

In the just completed three-race junior series, Ronald Cowen captured first place, narrowly edging out Michael Hanson.

Today's race will start and finish at the public dock near Harrington Hundreds Road. Swimmers will make their way towards the Palmetto Hotel, round a buoy, swim past the start/finish line towards Turtle Island before returning to the dock.

A total of six events are scheduled in the series.

ARCHERY ARC The launching of an Archery Society of Bermuda appears imminent with a meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 18 at Mariners Club (6.00 p.m.) when plans will be discussed for a subsequent meeting to elect officers.

Archery enthusiast David Petty, the man attempting to introduce the sport to Bermuda, received calls from some 15 people when he advertised plans to organise a society some week ago.

Among those showing interest were many who had been involved with the sport elsewhere, including a former Olympic qualifier.

Anyone interested in further information is asked to contact Petty at 234-5103 (home) and 295-1422 (work).

ANGLING FSH Prize presentations for the Bacardi Rum Angling Tournament, which saw a record 173 fish weighing more than 5,100-lbs caught last Sunday, take place this evening at the Bacardi International Building. All anglers who competed are invited to attend.