MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- Water skier Kent Richardson could be forgiven for thinking of himself as the "forgotten man'' at these Pan-American Games.

After all, he is one of only a few Bermudians who compete in the sport on the world stage.

And here in Argentina his chosen sport has been taken deep into the country's interior, close to a thousand miles away from the Games hub in Mar del Plata.

Yet the affable Richardson, a Somerset resident when he isn't travelling the world with his skis in tow, will take it all in his stride.

And he's no less determined to make his mark at these Games than any other member of the Island contingent.

In fact, although he still couldn't be contacted yesterday at Club Quilla in the town of Santa Fe, the headquarters for Pan-Am water skiing, those who have spoken to him recently say he'd like nothing more than to earn a place on the medal dais come tomorrow night -- if only to give the sport the recognition he believes is long overdue.

Such an occurrence is unlikely, but in an event where one mistake can dash the hopes of even the most talented, Richardson could prove to be Bermuda's surprise package.

He's aiming for a high finish, and if he doesn't reach that goal it won't be through lack of effort.

For much of the past two months, Richardson has been training with America's top skiers in Florida. And they, apparently, will be the ones to watch when competition begins today on Rio Parana, which winds its way through the town of Santa Fe, north of Buenos Aires.

The fact that he writes his name into Bermuda's sporting annals by becoming the first skier to represent his country at this level, should serve as an inspiration.

But just how tough the competition will be, nobody seems to know.

The US has a strong team and Canada will be formidable with 1991 world champion Kreg Llewellyn among their ranks. But little is known about the other entrants -- from Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

In total, 18 men are entered for slalom and 17 for tricks. A further 15 will compete in the ski jump, which Richardson has not entered.

Practice events were planned yesterday with the Bermudian scheduled to compete in the slalom heats at mid-day today.

Tomorrow the tricks heats are slated for 8.00 a.m. (Bermuda time) and a revised schedule released yesterday shows that all finals will now be held on Saturday, the slalom at 8.00 a.m. and the tricks at 10.20.

What had originally been a three-day competition has been extended to four.

And with the schedule seemingly changing from day to day, how soon results get relayed back to the main Press Centre here in Mar del Plata is anybody's guess.