Triathlete Tyler Butterfield leaves Bermuda today to begin his final build-up to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester which get underway later this month.

Having spent most of the past two months training on the Island, the 19-year-old Bermudian has set himself a demanding schedule in the lead-up to what he regards as the most challenging event of his young triathlon career.

"I am going to Canada this week and will train in Quebec with (national cycling coach) Greg Hopkins, before going to Edmonton to race the World Cup race there on the 14th," said Butterfield. "Then I fly to Germany to do another race in Hanover on the 21st before going to Manchester."

Noting that his training had been going well, Butterfield played down the injury he sustained in winning the AON Triathlon last weekend at Southside, St. David's.

"I have four stitches in my foot but fortunately it is on the top and not the bottom which would have caused more problems. I am not supposed to run or swim for a few days because of the danger of infection so I have been riding a lot and resting which has actually worked out well."

The event in Edmonton will likely give Butterfield a feel for what he can expect in Manchester and he fully understands the difficulty of the task ahead.

"Edmonton is a World Cup event, one of 12 in the year. It means the field will be of the highest standard. Former world champion Chris McCormack and Olympic champion Simon Whitfield will be there and a lot of other triathletes who will be in Manchester. It will be a good experience for me to see how I compare with them."

While in Canada, Butterfield will be staying and training with Hopkins, his wife Mary, a former Commonwealth Games swimmer and top local female triathlete, as well as three-time May 24 Marathon Derby winner and former top triathlete Tony Ryan.

The teenager believes the training and conditions there will benefit his preparations.

"There will be less distractions in Canada and I will be able to swim in much cooler water so I can train in my wet-suit, which I can't here because of the heat. I will be able to get in some quality training because I won't have the fatigue that you get from the weather in Bermuda."

Hopkins added: "Our cottage is 15 miles from the nearest town. It is a perfect place to train as we are right on a lake. There are some really challenging rides in the area. It will be a good place for Tyler to really be able to focus."

Butterfield believes the race in Hanover will be key to his final lead-up to the Games. "The race in Germany is not a World Cup event but it will still be a good field. I will have the chance to work on my speed and my transitions and it will be a good indication where I am prior to Manchester."

Acknowledging that the Bermuda public may have high expectations of him in Manchester, Butterfield understands the pressure that brings but is realistic about the challenge.

Noting that the Commonwealth Games is regarded second only to the Olympics in stature, he puts it into perspective. "I'm really looking forward to Manchester, but I would be happy with a top 25 position. This year I am only 19 and most of the others are between 25 and 30 which is where you peak. I am not making excuses because I will go out there and do my best, but realistically Australia has two former world champions and the present world champion, Canada has the Olympic champion and Briton has a four-time world champion.

"There are 40 competitors, 30 of whom are of the highest level. It all comes down to how well I swim. I am happy with my bike and run, even on a bad day I do well, but the swim is the most difficult for me. I have worked hard on it, but I need to be faster. I will just take the experience from Manchester and build on it for the future."

Butterfield joins the Island's two other traithletes, Kent Richardson and Karen Smith in Manchester on July 23. Their event is on the final day of competition, August 4.