team competition which takes centre stage on the second day of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge at the Southampton Princess.

Christina White, a Level Nine competitor and one of four girls coach Walid Mustafa hoped would achieve the required standard for Commonwealth Games qualification this weekend, was forced out after quite literally suffering from growing pains.

And Level Eight gymnast Sarah Cox is expected to miss most of the weekend's disciplines after spraining her ankle.

Mustafa clarified White's injury: "It's a growth problem,'' he said.

"Christina woke up on Wednesday and her leg was stiff and by Thursday she was having trouble moving it. It can sometimes happen that when a girl suddenly shoots up, the tibia can separate a little from the femur.'' White, who was walking with the aid of crutches on Thursday, is expected to be out of action for anything between two and six weeks.

"It's very upsetting,'' admitted Mustafa.

However she still has two opportunities to secure a place in Malaysia with the Pan American Games in Houston in April to be followed by US Regionals in Raleigh, North Carolina, in May.

Meanwhile the three other Island girls aiming to go to South East Asia in September are set to compete today.

Jenny Wright, the 22-year-old business student at the University of Maryland, and Laura Murphy will take part in the Level 10 competition, while Leila Wadson is due to compete at Level Nine.

Joining Wadson representing Bermuda at Level Nine are Maria Darby, daughter of Mustafa's assistant coach Dawn Darby, and Sasha Christensen, the daughter of the Triangle Challenge's meet chairman Craig.

Competing at Level Eight are Alexandra Froncioni, Kristen Shrubb, Jackie Mayor, and Rowan Hallett. Shauntiah Rawlings, Bermuda's only Level Seven gymnast, competed yesterday.

A total of 13 other teams are taking part in the event, 11 from the Eastern US, one from Montreal and one from England. Four of the American teams are back for more after being invited to last year's inaugural one-day meet.

Mustafa is hopeful of a good showing by the local girls, but stresses that winning Sunday's finals is not the most important thing.

He said: "The teams we have brought in are at the top end of the competitive spectrum. In the US programme they regualarly send Olympians to meets. So our girls have really got their hands full.

"But we will not be judging them by comparison. We'll be happy as long as they give 100 per cent in their performances and dig in. Winning isn't an issue.

"The most important thing is that this meet gives the girls the exposure they deserve.'' The action starts at 8.30 a.m. with the Level 10 warm ups, the opening ceremony and then the competition itself.