team-mates from across the Island take part in the world's largest event in the USA.

More than 30 members of the Tri-Hedz junior triathlon team head off to Chicago this weekend for the Mrs. T's Triathlon.

But while many of the youngsters will be hopeful of bringing back medals from the event, injury has robbed the team of one of their key members.

Flora Duffy, 12, is rated as one of the club's top girls, but while taking part in an Island event recently, she fell off her bicycle.

Tri-Hedz vice-president, Steve Conway said Flora had suffered a broken bone in her arm after the fall at Clearwater and has had to have pins inserted.

While the injury means Duffy will not be able to take part in the event, Conway said she would be travelling to Chicago to cheer on her friends.

This is the fourth time the club have been to the event, the third as Tri-Hedz, and Conway said he was confident it could maintain a run of form that has brought great success in previous years.

Believing the Bermudan team to be better prepared than many of their American counterparts, Conway said: "We have a more structured training programme in Bermuda, whereas a lot of the kids in the USA do it just for fun.'' Much of downtown Chicago will be closed for the weekend long event, which will see more than 4,000 children and adults taking part.

The seven to 14 year-olds take part in the Iron Kids triathlon on Saturday, while the older teenagers and accompanying adults compete in the Sprint Distance race on Sunday.

Conway added: "The Tri-Hedz Club always puts on a good show for Bermuda in Chicago and has provided several age group winners in the kids' races in previous trips.

"Last year it was great to hear the name of Bermuda coming over the commentary again and again in front of so many people as Tri-Hedz kids came over the line in the top positions.'' Tri-Hedz team: Iron Kids 7-10 year-old event: A.Bolton (11); J.Collis (9); C.Conyers (10); T.Fox (9); A.Godfrey (7); T.Godfrey (10); A.McManus (10); B.Rose (9); M.Smith (8); R.Sousa (9).

11-14 year-old event: T.Abbott (12); R.Collis (13); A.Daniels (11); M.Godfrey (12); M.Jones (12); C.Kempe (13); O.Kempe (12); A.Kirkpatrick (14); K.Phipps (12); G.Rose (14); Chayce Smith (13); Coyatito Smith (13); G.Smith (12).

Supersprint 15 plus event: M.DeSilva (43); N.Godfrey (42).

Mrs T's Sprint: T.Abbott (12), L.Butterfield (39); Caroline Conway (41); Chris Conway (15); J.Conyers (47); N.DeStCroix (35); M.DeSilva (15); R.Dickinson (15); C.Duffy (49); I.Fox (49); A.Jones (18); M.Jones (12); J.Kempe (47); A.Kirkpatrick (14); A.Robinson-Roberts (15); Chayce Smith (13); Coyatito Smith (13); G.Smith (12); B.Steinhoff (16); J.Stevenson (45); N.Taylor (16).

Mrs T's International Team: Bermuda Triangles -- A.Collis (15); D.McManus (47); R Sousa (38).