Fit-again Flora Duffy will make a welcome return to triathlon this morning as the first Bermuda athlete in action at the Pan Am Games.

Duffy has not competed since the start of April because of shin splints, a repetitive strain injury, and was only given the all-clear to start running again four weeks ago.

She had been in the form of her life prior to the injury and was confident of challenging for a podium place in Toronto, having finished third in Abu Dhabi, fifth in the Gold Coast, as well as claiming several wins in the Xterra (off-road) Series.

However, a top-ten finish is now perhaps a more realistic ambition for the two-times Olympian and Xterra world champion, considering her less than ideal preparations for the race.

The 27 year old will be up against a strong field, including Canada’s Paula Findlay, a five-times winner in the ITU World Triathlon Series, and Sarah Haskins, of the United States, who won gold at the previous Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, in a time of 1hr 57min 37sec. Duffy finished eighth at those Games in 2:03:38.

Haskins has enjoyed a strong season, winning the Continental Cup in Florida and making her Ironman 70.3 debut in Puerto Rico, where she won in more than seven minutes.

The winner of today’s race, which starts at 9.30am, Bermuda time, will earn a quota spot for their country at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio, which Haskins admits “adds a little bit more pressure”.

She said: “In some ways it’s more nerve-racking because it’s not just you. You’re responsible for helping other athletes.”

The triathlon competition uses the standard distance of a 1,500 metres swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Also in action for Bermuda today is Virginia McKey, who will compete in the Prix St George of the dressage competition.