joy at being selected as one of five Bermuda representatives for next month's (September 24) ITU Triathlon World Cup Bermuda, but was under no illusions as to his chances of usurping some of the best triathletes the world has to offer.

De Ste. Croix, along with Steve Donnelly, Mark Glusing and females Shona Palmer and Melanie Claude were granted wild card entries into the event, but look to have little chance against an overseas contingent boasting 100 full-time professionals.

"My target is not to come last,'' said de Ste. Croix, emphasising the steep task which awaits once the starters gun sounds for the 11 kilometre swim, 40 kilometre bike and 10 kilometre run.

"I'm extremely honoured to be selected, (but) it's going to be tough because we're racing against people who do it for a living, while we're all part-timers here and work for a living.

"Competing in something of this magnitude is great, it could also be quite humbling when you see where you are compared to these pros, still personally I'm really looking forward to it, I think it's going to be a great experience.

"I'm training hard, very hard. I've got another race overseas in between, the Chicago Triathlon, which is a large race in two weeks time and I've also got the Falmouth Road Race as week on Sunday overseas too.'' The diminutive 30-year-old athlete, noted for his strong finishing kick and fierce determination no matter the discipline, was similarly delighted that the Bermuda had returned to the international triathlon stage and that nothing but positive things would entail.

He noted how increased interest in the sport would be generated and that folks watching would see that it is a sport almost anyone can perform, whether it be on a competitive basis or just for fun.

"I think it's a brilliant thing personally, it's something that should never have gone away basically, so to have it come back and have all these pros come over -- the best triathletes in the world -- is just tremendous for Bermuda.

"And the coverage Bermuda's going to get from this event is...I mean you can't buy that sort of coverage.'' As for the course itself de Ste. Croix described it as extremely tough and while it may have been described as spectator friendly the same is not true for those competing.

Yet it is a challenge he is looking forward to, being able to savour the moment racing against the world's best. And while he would like to be able to join the circuit full-time he admitted it to be little more than fantasy.

"It's very much a dream and certainly not reality. But it's just going to be fun competing.''