Jim Butterfield has been voted in as president of Bermuda Triathlon Association after a clean sweep of the organisation's executive.

But within minutes of taking the hot seat, Butterfield faced his first controversy when treasurer Charlie Duffy quit his post following a disagreement with the new president over procedure.

Duffy, who had just been elected to take over from Peter Grayston, was replaced by Heather Cooper.

The BTA's annual general meeting saw veteran competitor Butterfield take over from Neil de Ste Croix, who spent three years at the helm of the association.

Butterfield is seen by many as the man responsible for the growth of triathlon on the Island. From humble beginnings as a race organiser and competitor in the first triathlon here in 1978, he went on to achieve a seventh place finish in the 1981 Ironman competition in Hawaii.

BTA spokesman Derek Atkins said de Ste Croix, who coaches the Island's young triathletes, had stepped down voluntarily.

The other new recruits on the BTA executive are vice-president Kip Herring, who replaces Patrick Hackenberg, secretary Karen Smith replacing Andy Schelp, and director-at-large Steven Petty, who takes up a newly created post.

The BTA also announced a programme of 11 events for 2000, beginning with a new duathlon and world triathlon championship qualifier on March 5.

More short-distance `super-sprint' events are a feature of the BTA schedule and Atkins explained the reasoning behind it.

"We are hoping to attract more beginners with the shorter races and we have a few more duathlon events as well, as many newcomers to the sport tend to be put off by the swim,'' said Atkins.

"I firmly believe that anybody can take up triathlon and we have competitors ranging from tiny tots to over-65s.'' As well as the 11 main events in 2000, there will be several `home events', friendly low-key races hosted by the BTA at various venues throughout the Island.

In August next year, some of the Island's top triathletes will take part in the Canadian National Championships, with teenagers Tyler Butterfield and Jonathan Herring the best hopes for success.