Oliver Hayward is eagerly anticipating his maiden appearance at the Americas Triathlon Cup Magog in Canada on Sunday.

Hayward will be competing in the elite men, a field of 56 drawn from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.

Being held at the scenic Plage de Magog, the standard sprint distance race consists of 750-metre swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.

The 18-year-old headed to Canada from Chile after finishing 36th at the Americas Triathlon Championships Antofagasta, where he competed in the junior men.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the start line this weekend in Magog for the Continental Cup,” Hayward told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s been a good first few days out here getting used to the course. I’ve been in the lake, ridden the bike course a few times and been lucky enough to run on some pretty amazing trails around the venue.

“The swim is shaping up to be the complete opposite of Antofagasta. Instead of waves and swirls, we’ve got a long shallow beach start, which means plenty of running into and out of the water, with long reeds replacing the wildlife.

“Hopefully, I can put myself in that front group again, but after last weekend I know anything can happen once the race gets going.

“The bike course should suit the stronger riders a bit more. It’s a 10km loop with a steady climb straight out of transition, so getting onto the bike hard will be important.

“After that there are a few fast sweeping corners which are technical enough on their own, never mind in a pack, so it should make for some good racing.”

Hayward is delighted to see two younger triathletes from the island racing in the junior competitions in Magog.

“It’s also great to have two other Bermuda athletes out here,” he said.

“Isla Cooze and Iris Duda are both racing in the youth events and I wish them all the best this weekend.

“One thing I’ve really enjoyed about racing this circuit is starting to recognise the same athletes each week.

“It makes training before the races and race weekends themselves feel a lot less daunting. It’s nice catching up with people you were racing against just a few days earlier.

“Now it’s just about putting the final bits together before Sunday and seeing what I can do. Looking forward to representing Bermuda once again.”

Meanwhile, nine junior triathletes will be competing at the Flatland Cup Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday. The event is the final qualifier for the United States Triathlon Youth and Junior National Championships, which take place from July 31 to August 2, in West Chester, Ohio.

Carina Bortoli, Madison Schindel, Gianluca Bortoli, Dylan Eiselt and Jasper Lau are participating in the junior elite. Elena Bortoli, Riana Robinson, Rohan Roopra and Rory Shepherd will be lining up in the youth elite.