absence with confirmation that the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup Bermuda race will be held here on September 4.

At least 100 of the world's top male and female triathletes -- 75 male, 25 female -- have been secured to take part in the event, which will be the eighth stop on the 11 event ITU World Cup series, including current men's points leader Brad Beven of Australia and top-ranked women's competitor Isabel Mouthon of France.

Five Bermuda triathletes have been invited to participate based on performance during the local season, with bids extended to Neil de Ste. Croix, Mark Glusing, Steve Donnelly, Shona Palmer and Melanie Claude.

Now in its fifth season, this will mark the first year the ITU has ever staged a race in Bermuda, with other venues on the schedule including France, Northern Ireland, Spain, Japan, Canada, United States, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia and Mexico.

On offer will be $50,000 in prize money to be distributed equally between both men and women, making the local stop one of the most lucrative in the series.

The Southampton Princess will serve as the race venue, with the course consisting of multiple loops in all three disciplines and offering a unique opportunity for spectators.

At numerous locations along the challenging course athletes can be seen as many as 11 times, making this race one of the most "viewer friendly'', according to race organisers.

Starting at 8 a.m. competitors will begin with a two-loop, 11 kilometre swim at the Southampton Princess Beach Club and once completed, athletes then mount their bikes in the transition area in the Horseshoe Bay Beach parking lot.

The 40 kilometre bike course consists of eight laps of a punishing five kilometre loop that has riders having to scale the steep incline that follows the South Shore entrance and taking in Lighthouse Road, Church Road and South Shore Road as far as Warwick Camp.

The transition from cycling to the 10 kilometre run takes place at Horseshoe Bay and includes a revolving loop along South Shore Road with a finish near the hotel's golf club.

Organisers and sponsors were pleased that top level triathlon competition has returned to the Island.

The race will also have at its disposal the expertise of Dave McGillivray of Boston as its director. McGillivray is widely respected for his organisational skills. He also serves as technical coordinator for the Boston Marathon.

He is being assisted locally by Suthy Madeiros in his capacity as race coordinator.