Beach is expected to feature one of the strongest fields assembled for some time.

In the men's Open division, 17-year-old Kris Hedges, who finally came of age at last month's Tri Gatorade triathlon with his first major win, will start as slight favourite, although he can expect a stiff challenge from as many as half a dozen rivals.

Hedges' improved swim and bike legs in the last event, together with a faster run, suggests he's the athlete to beat on Sunday when action gets underway at 8.00 a.m.

But adding interest to the event will be the return from school of Steven Doyling who has maintained his fitness while abroad as was demonstrated in the recent Stanley Burgess eight-mile road race when he recorded a top five finish.

Defending champion Neil de Ste Croix, who has struggled to find health and fitness this year, looked sharp in the Bermuda Bicycle Association's Grand Prix time trial and in last weekend's Maple Leaf 10K and would appear to be finding his form just in time for this weekend's championships. But he'll need to post a much improved swim if he is to have a chance of catching the leaders on the run, his strongest leg.

Another challenger for top honours will be Kevin Tucker, who finished a close second to de Ste Croix last year and is perhaps the strongest runner in the field.

But Tucker will need to have a better showing on the bike if he's to be close enough going into the run to take his second major title of the season, having already won the National Duathlon Championships. Tucker competed in a half Ironman in Panama City last weekend where he reportedly fared well.

Greg Hopkins, second to Hedges in the Tri Gatorade, will benefit with the shorter distance as it was only in the latter stages of the last race that he faded. His strength on the bike ride could propel him to victory, although at 43 he's probably past his prime.

On current form it's possible that less than a minute will separate the top five contenders.

Among the women, Julia Hawley is starting to reproduce the form that made her a multiple national champion in the early 1990s and she has dominated the women's field this season, winning both the duathlon and Tri Gatorade.

However, Hawley will face a much stiffer challenge if Shona Palmer is fit enough to make her return. Palmer has suffered with back problems that have kept her out of the fray this year.

Last season Palmer was unbeatable in Bermuda and if she can show some of the form that put her ahead of all but a handful of even the men last season, she will stand a strong chance of taking the women's title.

Melanie Claude, a consistently strong triathlete, is unlikely to unseat Hawley or Palmer but should take third place. Laurie Orchard will favour the shorter distances and her strong swim and much improved bike ride could give her a genuine chance of taking a top three placing.

Attention will also focus on the 13-15 age group which will feature three young emerging triathlon stars in Tyler Butterfield (14), Nuri Latham (15) and Jonathan Herring (13). All three will likely finish among the top 12 men with Latham hoping that his strong swim -- he is a national squad member -- and bike will give him a big enough lead to hold off Butterfield who is well known as one of the premier junior runners.

Herring, also a national squad swimmer, is an improved runner this season and may pull an upset if he can start the run with Latham with a good lead on Butterfield. Allison Petty should start uncontested in the girls division and will be hoping to qualify for the national squad.

With Hopkins a safe bet for the 40-49 title, Andrew Doble and Jim Butterfield should have an interesting battle for second place, with Jeremy Ball close behind. Robyn Peck is favoured for the women's title with Kim Mason her closest challenger.

Peter Grayston, who at 59 had an outstanding showing in the Tri Gatorade, will be tough to beat in the men's over 50 age group.

In addition to the individual race there will be a team event for men's and women's teams 13-39 and 40-plus. For less active athletes there is a Just for Fun Triathlon (all kinds of pedal bikes allowed) over a 100 metre swim in shallow water, a 5K bike ride and a 1K run. The Just for Fun event is also open to teams.

Entry forms are available from sponsors Hamilton Ice Queen, Sportseller, Sports Locker and Winners Edge Bike Shop and the deadline is Friday.

KRIS HEDGES -- faces some strong competition in Sunday's Triathlon Sprint Championships.