Elite triathletes Olly Freeman and Rosie Clarke will have something in common at this year s Blenheim Triathlon - they both have titles to defend.

Last year, Freeman - who has scores of junior international titles to his name - proved he has what it takes to race at senior level by beating established triathletes such as Richard Stannard and Blenheim 2005 winner Stuart Hayes.

The 21-year-old won the men s race in a time of one hour, two minutes and 22 seconds.

Rosie Clarke, a Great Britain under-23 triathlete, won the women s event in one hour,11 minutes and 23 seconds.

Both are due to race at this year s event.

The men s race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 3, at 10.40am, while the women set off the day before, at 12.30pm.

Both the male and female elite triathletes will race over a 750m swim, a 20km bike and a 5km run. The key difference between this and the regular event is that drafting is permitted on the bike.

Drafting is a cycling tactic in which several riders cluster closely to reduce the air resistance of the group.

In the regular sprint and supersprint events, drafting is not allowed, which means all competitors have to keep seven metres between themselves and the bike in front, unless overtaking, when 30 seconds is permitted to carry out the manoeuvre.

Another focal point of the elite races will be transition, when athletes go from swim to bike then bike to run. Expect to see the fastest competitors at Blenheim get out of the water and onto their bikes in under three minutes and off their bikes and out onto the run in about a minute.