The United States Olympic Team Trials will be staged in and around Waikiki on Sunday. At stake are two spots on Team USA for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. One will go to the top American male finisher, and the other to the top American female.

"At this point, we're all in the best shape of our lives," said Washington's Joe Umphenour, who is the No. 3-ranked American male. "The rankings going into this race mean nothing. It all comes down to this one race."

Well, sort of.

The United States will have three male and three female spots available for the 2004 Olympic triathlon. The other roster spots will be determined at other races in the upcoming months.

"It's not like all the pressure is on to win this race, because there are other chances to qualify," said Wyoming's Barb Lindquist, the No. 1-ranked female in the world. "But the person who wins here will have an advantage because they'll be able to focus on Athens after this and not have to worry about the other qualifying races."

Umphenour added: "In this particular race, I think you have to go for broke knowing what's at stake."

Both races appear hard to predict, but the men's field should have more contenders.

Hunter Kemper of Florida is the top-ranked American male, and "the man to beat," according to Umphenour. Doug Friman of California is No. 2, followed by Umphenour.

"I would say there's maybe seven guys with a real shot at it," Umphenour said. "So it's wide open."

Making it more interesting, the field is not restricted to Americans. Several international competitors are in the field, including Australian Greg Bennett, who is ranked No. 1 in the world.

In effect, there will be a race within the race.

"If there's a guy from Australia running away, we don't have to be that concerned about him," Umphenour said. "I think (the Americans) will have our eyes on each other."

In the women's race, the Americans are expected to lead the way.

Lindquist is No. 1 in the world, Laura Reback of Florida is No. 2, and Sheila Taormina of Michigan is No. 3.

Logic would dictate that those three should represent the United States at the Olympics, but because of the qualifying format, "you have to go for the win to make sure," Lindquist said.

"Anything can happen," she added. "I would hope that the three of us make the team because I think we've shown the consistency over the last four years. We just have to hope the trials process validates that."

The men's and women's races will follow the same course: a 1-mile swim off Waikiki Beach, followed by a 24.8-mile bike (five laps around Diamond Head), and then a 6.2-mile run along the streets of Waikiki.

"It's a course where you can't hide," Umphenour said. "It's not an easy course, but it's not impossibly hard, either. The only hard part might be keeping your concentration on the race and not on all the girls in bikinis along the way."

NOTES: Several other Olympic qualifying events in various sports have been staged in Hawai'i, including triathlons in 1999 and 2000. However, this is the first time that Olympic spots will be directly awarded through an event in Hawai'i. ... Prior to the Olympic Trials, the 24 Hour Fitness Honolulu Triathlon will be staged in Waikiki. Around 1,000 age-group competitors are expected to participate.