Clearwater Beach this Sunday in the rescheduled Sports R Us National Triathlon Championships.

The senior athletes get underway at 8.00 a.m. and will compete over a 1500 metre swim, 40K bike and 10K run. In addition to competing for overall honours, competitors will be vying for age group medal positions.

The men's field should see a three-man race for overall honours between Jonathan Herring, the defending champion, veteran Kent Richardson and Neil de ste Croix, all of whom represented Bermuda at the World Championships in Montreal, Canada. Herring has the stronger swim and bike but his run is his weak link and he will need a good lead off the bike to hold off his two main rivals.

Greg Hopkins, who won the recent Bank of Bermuda individual title, is not expected to compete.

On the women's side there should be a close contest between Laurie Orchard and Karen Smith.

Smith narrowly edged Orchard in Montreal and took the Bank of Bermuda individual triathlon title two weeks' ago, but there is little to choose between them and Orchard will be determined to defend her title.

In the age groups, there should be a close contest in the women's 40-49 category between Kim Mason and Carolyn Conway while in the same division on the men's side, Andrew Doble and Jim Butterfield will be the men to watch although if he enters, Granville Gibbons might well snatch the title.

A good deal of attention will focus on the large number of up and coming juniors aged seven to 15, many of whom produced excellent performances last month in Manchester, England, in Chicago and in the recent team and individual triathlons.

The 11-15 advanced group will race over a 375 metre swim, 15K bike and 2K run.

Leading the way in the boys 13-15 category will be Brian Steinhoff, Chris Conway and Nick Taylor with Steinhoff starting as the slight favourite following his excellent performances in Manchester and Chicago.

However, Taylor is the defending champion and enjoyed a fine fifth place overall finish in the Bank of Bermuda triathlon.

Ashley Robinson-Roberts will start as strong favourite in the girls 13-15 age group after her fifth place in the British Junior Championships in Manchester, second place finish in the Chicago Sprint Triathlon and third overall showing in the Bank of Bermuda event.

Her nearest challenger should be Robyn Dickinson with Ashley Kirkpatrick and Melissa DeSilva close behind.

Flora Duffy should have things her own way in the girls 11-12 advanced and will be hoping to take a top three place overall among the advanced girls.

The most competitive division is likely to be the boys 11-12 advanced. Bermuda took first to sixth places in this age group in Chicago and all six of those juniors will be on the start line along with Adam Petty. Chayce Smith was the winner in Chicago but Geoffrey Smith, who had a disappointing race by his standards in Chicago where he placed fifth, and Petty are also very much in contention for overall honours.

Coyatito Smith and Tyler Abbott, second and third respectively in Chicago, will be others to watch.

In addition to the 11-15 year-old advanced juniors there will be a 11-15 regular distance championships over a 200 metre swim, 10K bike and 2K run.

Richard Collins and Gregory Rose on the boys side and Chelsea Burns and Chloe Kempe for the girls will be vying for overall honours.

The seven to 10 year-olds will race over a 100 metre swim, 5K bike and 1K run.

Tim Fox and Ricky Sousa will battle it out in the boys seven to eight years and Justin Collis should also be in contention.

Caitlin Conyers is a strong favourite in the girls 9-10 division. The boys 9-10 winner should come from Alistair Melvin, Brett Fox, Matthew Godfrey or Alex McManus.

In addition to the championship races there will be a beginners' race for anyone aged 16 and over starting at 10.00 a.m. and a tiny tots race for ages three to six at 9.45.

Note: Should bad weather, as is forecast, threaten Sunday's race, it could be postponed and rescheduled for November 7. Competitors are advised to call 299-1633 from 3.00 p.m. on Saturday for further information.

Karen Smith: will be looking to repeat her Bank of Bermuda triathlon victory in this Sunday's national championships.

Kent Richardson: one of three key contenders in the men's event.