It may be spring break for some but for the Island?s top female triathlete, Flora Duffy, it?s business as usual and that means three to four hours of training every day.

Duffy, who is sitting her ?A? levels at school in England this summer, is back in Bermuda for what will be her last big week of training before she starts a carefully orchestrated taper which should see her in top form when she steps out at the Commonwealth Games triathlon in Melbourne in less than three weeks? time.

Duffy, along with fellow triathlete Karen Smith, will be among a squad of 26 athletes in eight different sports representing Bermuda at the March 15-26 festival.

Duffy is following a strict programme developed for her by leading triathlon coach Rich Brady which is overseen by former Olympian and Commonwealth Games record holder Robin Brew ? the director of swimming at Kelly College in Devon where she is currently studying.

As part of her preparation for the Games, Duffy has been running competitively at school and two weeks ago lifted the Devon Schools Senior Girls cross-country title after holding off a strong field.

While back home, she will be under the watchful eye of triathlon coach and training partner Neil de ste Croix who said he was ?amazed and encouraged? with the youngster?s continued improvement and increased fitness level.

?She is in the best shape of her life right now and that bodes well for the Games,? said de ste Croix. ?She rides like a pro and better than a lot of the riders I have raced against over the last few years.

?With the draft legal format (cyclists can ride in a pack as opposed to individually) this will serve her well.?

Meanwhile, Duffy is under no illusions about her chances in the event as the start list reads like a Who?s Who of the triathlon world with current world champion and ITU Cup winner Emma Snowsill of Australia the favourite to take gold with the other Aussies and New Zealand girls expected to fill the other two podium places.

?I know my chances of a podium place are pretty limited this year but I intend to go out there and give it my all and do Bermuda proud,? said Duffy.

After the Games, the teenage Bermudian will compete in a number of International Triathlon Union Cup races later in the year in order to gain the ITU points needed to qualify for the next Olympic Games in Bejing in 2008.

Travelling with Duffy and Smith to the Games will be de ste Croix (mechanic), manager Steve Petty and coach Brady.