convincing win in yesterday's National Duathlon Championships at Clearwater Beach.

But while the 15-year-old had everything his own way, it was a much different story in the women's race which saw the closest finish in the event's history.

Melanie Claude held on for a thrilling three-second win from a determined Lynn Patchett who had opened a healthy lead on the first five kilometre run, lost it on the 30K cycle, and then put in a gutsy effort on the second 5K run which fell agonisingly short.

The two women provided the crowd with a dramatic sprint finish with Claude bravely hanging on as Patchett put in a final surge.

Claude's victory could be put down to her superb cycle when she came from behind on the first run to open up a 90-second gap going into the last phase.

Claude was clocked in one hour, 38 minutes, 54 seconds and Patchett in 1:38.57. Kim Mason, the first master, placed third in 1:48.30.

Butterfield, winner of last year's Bank of Bermuda Triathlon as well as the 14-year-old age group at the US National Triathlon Championships, continues to improve. Like Claude, he made his move on the bike yesterday, pulling away from Kevin Tucker to eventually post a time of 1:28.17. Tucker placed second in 1:29.45 and Granville Gibbons, the first master, third in 1:32.24.

Butterfield now aims to return to the US Triathlon Championships to compete in the 15-year age group and is also pondering the World Junior Duathlon Championships this summer.

Full Duathlon results will appear in tomorrow's Gazette .