Bermuda triathlete Tyler Butterfield says he is in as good a shape as he has ever been ahead of his debut appearance at the CAC Games.

Butterfield, who has competed at the Olympics, Commonwealth and Pan Am Games, believes all the signs are pointing towards a 'big performance' and insists he has never trained harder before a major event.

Although he has not ruled out a podium finish he has refused to burden himself with specific targets with his sole aim being to carry his good form into the race.

"You never really know what will happen on the day but the signs are good," he said. "Over the last six weeks I've put in four weeks of the hardest training I've ever done in my life and it will be interesting to see if it pays off.

"I'm swimming, biking and running better than I was last year so things are pointing towards a big performance.

"I never put too much pressure on myself because that's when you see people who should be getting a medal finishing 50th, so I try to stay away from that."

The 27-year-old has been having a superb year on the professional circuit as he continues his impressive build-up to the biggest Ironman event of all – the World Championships in Hawaii later this year. He placed fifth at the Ironman Mooseman in New Hampshire, fifth at the Memorial Hermann Ironman on Galveston Island, Texas and third in the St. Croix Ironman recently – and is confident of another strong finish in Puerto Rico.

"I hope for a top ten and on great day a top five. Obviously if there's a chance to get a medal I will give 120 percent as it would be very cool to win a medal for Bermuda," Butterfield said.

"I've raced in Puerto Rico before in 2002 and I gather it's the same course which should suit me as it's relatively flat and has a nice swim.

"It's always a bit iffy for me because I'm not a good swimmer. You can be in the best form of your life but if the swim doesn't go well you can waste too much energy trying to catch up on the bike and in the run."

Also competing in the triathlon in Puerto Rico will be Flora Duffy who has spent much of the past year focussing on cycling while racing for the University of Colorado team.

Butterfield believes Duffy is also capable of a decent finish.

"I think Flora's in pretty good form and I'd expect her to do quite well," he said. "I'm sure she's excited to be back racing and feeling healthy and fit."

Bermuda will be represented by their largest ever team at the CAC Games, which start on Sunday.

The Island is sending 60 athletes to compete in athletics, boxing, bowling, gymnastics, swimming, hockey, shooting, sailing, tennis and triathlon.