Individual Triathlon than that received last week during the team event where a blown tire forced his -- and thus the team's -- withdrawal.

However, the defending champion will first have to conquer a virus that has severely hindered his training during this past week.

"It's going to be a real struggle this weekend,'' said Hopkins, who came within a second of eclipsing the course record last year. " I don't know if I'll figure to be in first place this year.

"But that is not to say I won't be trying ... I'll certainly do my best.

It'll all depend on how I feel on the day.'' Hopkins pointed to rising star Steve Doyling and tried veteran Neil de Ste.

Croix as the ones to watch.

Doyling was third last year and second to Hopkins in the National Championships earlier this year, while de Ste. Croix was seventh in 1992, but first at the 1993 Sprint Championships.

Among the women, Julia Hawley looms large over the field and with Lynn Kynoch departed for a four-year stint in England, where she will be studying physical therapy, it may be a case of no contest.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Ball is favoured among the Male Masters, while Debbie Butterfield is similarly tipped on the Female Masters side.

Competitors will be required to swim one mile, followed by a 15-mile cycle and finish with a 10-kilometre run.

GREG HOPKINS -- Will defend his title under-strength.