All eyes in Bermuda's growing triathlon community will be on the National Sprint Championships scheduled for this Sunday, June 3rd. The Island's best will be competing for the title of national champion over the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run course at Clearwater beach.

There will be new national champions annointed this year as neither defending champions will be competing. Evan Naude is instead facing the daunting challenge of FSA examinations, while Karen Bordage will be overseas for a half-Ironman event. Their absence will leave the door wide open for the likes of Kent Richardson, Riann Naude and May 24 cycle champion, Neil de Ste Croix in the men's race and Joanna Shillington, Karen Smith, Deana Thompson and Kim McMullen amongst the women.

The event has something for everyone, and while the elite will be looking for that elusive sub-60 minute performance, many more will be out there for the sheer fun of participation and the sense of personal achievement when they complete the course.

A growing element of the event, being sponsored for the ninth year by insurance broker and manager Aon Group, is the team event. 35 teams of three competed last year in three categories - Open, Company and Female - and the competition and rivalry was hot.

Says Co-Race Director, Ian Fox, "A little friendly rivalry adds to the fun of the event! Aon always enters three or four teams and I hear that they would relish a challenge from their markets and business competitors."

Adds fellow Race Director, Nigel Godfrey, "The team event continues to grow in popularity and is a great way to expose more people to the sport."

Ever mindful that the 750m swim around a triangular course off Clearwater Beach is a daunting prospect to many, the organizers allow teams to use athletes entered in the individual race to swim for teams as well. In addition, the Island's swimming, cycling and running clubs provide fertile ground for those wanting to build a fast team.

The emphasis is on participation. A popular junior race for 7 to 14-year olds precedes the main event, with a swim in shallow water, a carefully marshaled bike course and an off-road run course. At the same time, there is a short Try-a-Tri race for those 16+ who want to give triathlon a try, albeit on a smaller scale. Many parents are to be seen racing for the first time alongside their veteran triathlete children!

Amongst those 'veterans', young Justin Ferreira will be favourite to take the 10 and under title, although he will be pushed hard by newcomer Conor Outerbridge. Jazmine Outerbridge should continue her winning ways in the girls' under 14 division, especially with last year's winner, Rebecca Heyliger moving up to the longer sprint event. The under 14 boys winner will likely come from one of Nathan Amaral, Brighton Swan and Mark Godfrey, while Molly Pilgrim and Gabriella Arnold should be the main contenders for the 10 and under girls' division.

As last year, there are separate racing bike and mountain bike divisions in the junior races.

Full details of the race, including course maps and entry forms are available from the web site of the Bermuda Triathlon Association at www.bta.bm. Entry forms are also available from Winners Edge and Sportseller. Closing date for entries is 5 p.m. on Thursday May 31.