Compliments are freely spoken but often mean very little in the grand scheme of things.

Indeed, on this Island people are regularly referred to as "the best this" or it is said that they "could be a great that" when, in fact, they have never tested themselves beyond these shores.

So when you are told that triathlete Tyler Butterfield could one day be world champion, you could be forgiven for taking the accolade with the obligatory pinch of salt.

However, when that opinion is offered by a former world champion and one of the most respected men in his sport you are obliged to sit up and take notice.

Australia's Chris McCormack, who came fifth at the recent Commonwealth Games in Manchester, is currently training with Butterfield in Switzerland.

Butterfield (19) came 14th in Manchester and is preparing to take part in the World Championships in Cancun, Mexico in November and the Australian has taken him under his wing.

Much is expected of the Islander and McCormack believes he can deliver. In fact, it is a belief he has held for the past six years since he came to Bermuda for an ITU World Cup race.

"Tyler was only young, I think maybe 14 years-old, but was very intrigued with triathlon and very impressionable," said McCormack from his home near Berne, the Swiss capital.

"He had the twinkle in his eye back then and was always asking questions about being a professional. It was obvious then that a life in sport was big on Tyler's mind."

After establishing himself locally, Butterfield, who moved to Australia a year ago, is fast moving up the rankings on the world circuit and currently lies 239th.

"The thing I like about Tyler is that he is an aggressive racer," said McCormack, who ruled the world in 1997. "He wants to succeed and he wants to do well, and his racing reflects this. He wants to be a well-rounded triathlete and be strong in the three disciplines."

McCormack said he believed this was extremely important if someone was to become truly world class.

"He will have the strength to be a multi-dimensional athlete, which many triathletes of Tyler's age are becoming nowadays.

"Many younger athletes are just guys who run fast and they just hope they are in the position to win the event."

Butterfield acknowledges he has to work on his swim, the weakest of his disciplines, and his mentor believes it will come.

"Tyler reminds me very much of myself as a younger racer," McCormack said. "I came from a weaker swimming background and developed it with time. Tyler has lots of time and I believe has the mindset and the attitude to go a long way in this sport . . . with time he will put himself in the front group after the swim and his racing style will see him win races."

Not many athletes of McCormack's calibre would take time out of their busy schedules to school a youngster, let alone a potential rival, but the former Australian Sportsperson of the Year likes what he sees.

"I really like the way Tyler races and approaches the sport and this is why I like to train with him," he said. "I do not see many athletes of Tyler's age with the same ability he has and I think in a few years he has the potential to be at the high end of the world rankings and a potential world champion.

"Tyler's only downfall may be his impatience to improve. The hardest thing is to try and hold him back. But he is so eager and keen. It's great to see."

McCormack believes Butterfield acquitted himself well on his Commonwealth debut, coming in just five minutes after the winner and Olympic champion Simon Whitfield.

"I thought Tyler did very well," said the Australian, who led the race himself at one stage. "The Games were always going to be difficult for him as it was a very strong field and his swim weakness was going to put him off the front bunch.

"But he raced aggressively and put himself right up there near the front. The athletes that are in front of him are the best in the world so Tyler should be proud of himself."

Butterfield said he raced "as hard as he could from Point A to Point B".

"This is the attitude that will see him win this race in a few more years," McCormack said. "It was great for Tyler to be able to experience a major Games at his age. He has a big headstart on athletes of his age and the next time he goes to the Games or the Olympics he will know what to expect. This sort of experience is just priceless."

While in Switzerland, Butterfield will be subjected to McCormack's testing training regime.

"Switzerland for me is a perfect venue to do big mileage," he said. "The riding is incredible and so is the running. The swimming is also quite good.

"I live in a town called Vordemwald, which is is just north of Berne, in German-speaking Switzerland.

"The training is unbelievable and some of the world's premier triathletes and bike racers have made a home in this region of Europe."

McCormack takes to the hills for eight hours a day, six days a week.

"I will swim four to five kilometres, ride 120 to 240km and run 15 to 30km on any day," he said. "It is all about building strength and endurance and laying a good aerobic foundation for my late season objectives, which are the Hawaiian Ironman and the ITU World Championships in Cancun."