overseas victory when he romped home first in the US Junior National Triathlon Championships in Orlando, Florida.

However, even though 15-year-old Butterfield holds a US as well as Bermuda passport, he was denied the overall title -- that honour going to the first American to finish.

"They (organisers) wanted to see my US passport and I'd left it in the hotel,'' explained Butterfield last night. "So to make it easier for everyone I just accepted the age group title.'' A blistering run over the finishing three miles earned Butterfield victory after he had emerged from the quarter mile swim in about tenth place and then finished the 11-mile cycle in about the same position.

One of those Butterfield overtook in his race to the finish was fellow Bermudian Jonathan Herring who was first out of the water and still in first place after the cycle.

However, Herring had to settle for seventh overall and third in his age group.

Aside from serving as the US National Junior Championships, the sprint event was also open to seniors and attracted a huge field of more than 700 including professionals.

Butterfield, while leading home the youngsters in a time of 53 minutes, 13 seconds, placed 10th in the entire field.

Herring clocked 56:04 and was 32nd overall.

"It was definitely the run that got me through,'' added Saltus student Butterfield. "I haven't seen my split times, but I know I had a good run. I felt very strong.'' His next major event is expected to be the Killington Stage cycle race, a five-day event in Vermont next month.

Meanwhile, there was more success for Bermuda at yesterday's US triathlon, Adam Petty and Matthew Herring both winning their respective age groups.

In the 11-and-unders, Petty clocked 1:05:18, which included a minute penalty, as he won the division and placed 194th overall. Herring clocked 1:06:12 for victory among the 12-14 boys and 241st overall.

Tyler's father, Jim Butterfield, one of Bermuda's triathlon pioneers, was less than three minutes behind his son yesterday, placing second in the 45-49 age group and 33rd overall in 56:06.

Allison Petty rounded out the Island contingent, clocking 1:14:45 for sixth place in her age group and 462nd overall.

TYLER BUTTERFIELD -- first overall at the US Junior Nationals.