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Hawaii Ironman champ Chris McCormack will come straight from defending his crown in Kona to compete in Bermuda.

The Australian - who has reached the pinnacle of world triathlon at every distance - leads the pro field for this year's Escape to Bermuda triathlon.

McCormack, who was here earlier this year to give coaching clinics to local triathletes and youngsters, will compete in the 2.4mile swim, 112 mile ride and marathon run in Hawaii in October.

Two weeks later he will aim to conquer Bermuda as the island is transformed into a race course for some of the world's top athletes.

The competitors will be dropped from a ferry a mile from the west end, will swim to Dockyard, cycle the length of the island and end the race with a six mile run finishing on the cobbled streets of St. George's.

Last year's winner Andy Potts will not be back to defend his title.

The American is taking his first shot at the Hawaii Ironman and aims to 'leave it all' in Kona in a bid to take McCormack's title.

Another Ironman star Chrissie Wellington, the English woman who won in Hawaii last year, could come direct from the paradise islands to race in Bermuda.

Wellington's entry has yet to be confirmed but organisers are hopeful she will be here to challenge last year's winner Becky Lavelle for her title.

Also confirmed in the women's field are U.S. triathlon legend Karen Smyers and Canadian Olympian Kathy Tremblay.

In the men's field Matty Reed, who finished second last year, and Benjamin Sanson, the young French triathlete who was third, are back for another crack at the race - part of the prestigious international 'Escape to series....'

The series involves seven international races each boasting entry slots for pros and amateurs to the Escape from Alcatraz event - considered one of the ultimate challenges in triathlon.

The Alcatraz race challenges competitors to swim 1.5miles from the famous island-prison through the frigid shark infested waters of San Francisco bay, cycle 18 miles along the hilly California coast and finish with a six-mile run that includes a 400-step cliff climb.

All of which makes the Bermuda circuit - a swim in warm crystal clear water, a cycle along one of the world's most picturesque coastlines and a run through St. George's - seem relatively simple.

Not so, says race director Neil de Ste Croix, who believes the beauty of the Bermuda course belies its difficulty.

"Where else in the world would you have a whole country as the course?

"It's one of the most scenic courses in world triathlon but it's also a really tough route."

De Ste Croix said there were already 130 overseas amateur age-groupers signed up to take part and as many as 70 locals are expected to enter.

"There's going to be 200 people dropped in the water off Dockyard. It should be a great event." n

Escape to Bermuda Triathlon

November 1 - Bermuda Shorts sprint triathlon and Kids Race

November 2 - Main Event

Course: One mile swim to Dockyard, 24 mile ride to east end, six-mile run around St George's.

Pros:

Confirmed Males to-date: Brian Fleischmann (USA), Brian Lavelle (USA), Matt Reed (USA), Benjamin Sanson (FRA), Chris McCormack (AUS), Jarrod Shoemaker (USA), Simon Thompson (AUS), Grega Hocevar (Slovenia), David Thompson (USA), Eric Limkemann (USA)..

Confirmed Females to-date: Becky Lavelle (USA), Flo Chretien (USA), Karen Smyers (USA), Alica Kaye (CAN), Rebecca Wassner (USA), Laurel Wassner (USA), Kathy Tremblay (CAN), Sarah Groff (USA).

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