Team Triathlon record at the US Naval Annex yesterday.

Insley and De Ste. Croix erased memories of last year, when they along with Mark Perry just missed the course record.

But this time with Lopes, who admittedly is not of the same short-distance pedigree as Perry, they set a sterling mark of one hour, 28 minutes and 15 seconds.

The time was 42 seconds better than the old record and again it was Insley paving the way with a superb swim leg that saw him timed in 20:19 for one mile, more than a minute and a half ahead of the second swimmer.

He handed over to cyclist de Ste. Croix, who proceeded to extend the lead to nearly three minutes by the end of the 15-mile leg.

Their position was aided by the unfortunate circumstance that saw chief rival Greg Hopkins forced out of the running with a rear puncture on the third lap while in second place.

The scene was set for a climactic finish, with Lopes needing to hold off leading local runner Kavin Smith over the six-mile run. Although the latter managed to shave two minutes off the lead held by Lopes, his efforts proved futile and they wound up second in 1:29:09.

Smith had actually started the run in fourth place, taking over from cyclist Kevin Tucker. Michael Bouchard was their swimmer.

"Brilliant! That's all I can say to describe it (victory),'' said an elated de Ste. Croix afterwards. "Kevin had an amazing swim and then I was under pressure and gave it all I had on the cycle ... I didn't want to let the boys down.

"I knew I had to give Manuel a good lead because Kavin (Smith) is in great shape.'' Meanwhile, Insley was understandably pleased with the role he played as it was his fine swim that set the ball rolling in his team's favour.

"I just took it out as hard as I could and got a lead because I didn't want anyone drafting off me,'' he said. "I've been swimming 30 seconds faster than last year and today the conditions were close to ideal.'' Ironically, Smith had a chance to be on the winning team as de Ste. Croix had invited him to join he and Insley when saddled with the loss of Perry due to injury. However, Smith declined the offer.

"It would have made it (end result) too predictable and probably not as competitive,'' Smith said. "I like being in the position where I have to chase ... because it presents a challenge.

"I thought I could do it (catch Lopes), but it just wasn't meant to be today.'' Lopes played the role of the cagey veteran as he accelerated around the corners when he was invisible to the chasing Smith. His tactics paid off and this was attested by his time of 31:57 being the fourth fastest on the day -- Smith's 29:54 was the fastest.

"Basically I just held on,'' explained a weary, but relieved Lopes. "I went out hard, but I had to avoid burning myself out early. I figured I'd keep losing him on the bends.

"I'm especially pleased because I haven't been doing much speed work lately as I'm preparing for a marathon in November.'' Meanwhile, trumpeting the cause of the over-40 group was the team of Duncan Newby, Jeff Payne and Harry Patchett, who upstaged many of the more youthful teams in placing third overall and first in the Male Masters division in 1:31:58.

"I think this says a lot for the over-40s,'' said runner Patchett. "To have three Masters teams in the top 10 speaks wonders for the aging process and maybe we have slowed it down a bit.

"But it's not caterpillar fungus like what the Chinese have.'' A strong final leg by Debbie Butterfield allowed her to overtake rival Peggy Couper and lead her team also containing Jan Driscoll (swimmer) and Colleen Van Hees to victory in the Female Masters category (1:57:07).

Craig Ferguson, and brothers Trevor and Kris Hedges combined their talents in seizing the Junior title in a creditable 1:40:49.

The Agriculture and Fisheries team, featuring Andrew Smith, Clark Tear and Tracy Wright, grabbed honours in the Company division (1:31:38) and the top spot among the Family category went to Kim Mason, Richard Mason and Rod Allen (1:43:45).

STRETCH RUN -- Manuel Lopes seen during the final leg of the Bank of Bermuda Team triathlon.