Stefanoni wins Harneys BVI Open Squash Championships

May 22, 2019 by
(l-r) Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt Laura Tovar (Colombia) 7-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 in the Harneys BVI Women’s Squash Open 2019 Final – a PSA Challenger Tour 5 event.

16-year old Marina Stefanoni (USA) came in to the 2019 Harneys BVI Squash Open tournament hosted by the BVI Squash Rackets Association at the Tortola Sports Club, Tortola, Virgin Islands from May 16 – 18, with her confidence sky high having won her previous 2 Professional Squash Association (PSA) Events.

Stefanoni had looked very impressive in her semi final victory over Daniela Schumann and appeared the favourite going in to the final. Laura Tovar (Colombia) had other ideas though and she came out playing very aggressive, purposeful squash.

As soon as Tovar worked the opening she was quick on to the ball and then clinical in her attacks. There were some big points at the end of the 2nd which in this heat can eat in to the reserves of the players. Tovar played them well to open up a 2-0 lead

Squash is a game of small margins though and these margins seemed to tip slightly in Stefanoni’s favour from the 3rd onwards. Tovar’s quality and intensity maybe dropped ever so slightly and Stefanoni (who remained level headed throughout) began to start dominating proceedings. It was her now who was slightly on top in the points and who was then finishing the points off confidently.

The 3rd and 4th went in Stefanoni’s favour quite quickly. With it tied at 2-2 we now had a 1 game shoot out for the title. Some high quality squash ensued and at 6-5 to Stefanoni the match was anyone’s. Over the next few minutes Stefanoni held her nerve really well (possibly due to the confidence that her previous two titles had given her) and unfortunately for Tovar she made a few mistakes.

Stefanoni managed to close it out 11-5 and in doing so become the first ever winner of a female PSA Event in the BVI!

Participants came from Canada, America, Egypt, Colombia, Brazil, Germany, Guyana and England as well as players representing the Virgin Islands. The international contingent included players ranked in the PSA world’s top 80.

In the Women’s Club Championships Final, Zoe Sorrentino beat Jane Wyllie 11-0, 11-2, 11-4. Sorrentino really displayed her dominance and stranglehold on the women’s title in this match. Wyllie is a clever player and has several tricky shots. Sorrentino though was hitting the corners well and she used her youth and impressive movement to never allow Wyllie a look in. Sorrentino is a far better player than she gives herself credit for.

Zoe Sorrentino beat Jane Wyllie 11-0, 11-2, 11-4 to take the 2019 Women’s Club Championships title

In the Exhibition Mixed Doubles, Daniela Schumann and Joe Chapman bt Maria Tovar and Adam Murrills 11-9, 6-11, 11-7

Singles squash is one of the fastest sports in the world… doubles takes it to another level though. Four people sharing a small space looking to attack at every opportunity. Wherever you hit it there is somebody there. This means that you have to hit an incredible shot to achieve a winner. Yesterday the winners seemed to be flowing more frequently from our opponents rackets. Both Joe and Daniela hit some outrageous shots to eventually take the spoils!

In an Exhibition Mixed Doubles, Daniela Schumann and Joe Chapman bt Maria Tovar and Adam Murrills 11-9, 6-11, 11-7
Filed Under: Squash Tagged With: , , ,

BVISRA to host VI’s first ever Women’s Professional Squash Association Challenger Tour 5

May 1, 2019 by
BVISRA PSA Challanger Tour 5 2019
BVISRA to host first Women’s PSA Challenger Tour 5

The BVI Squash Rackets Association (BVISRA) will be hosting its first ever Women’s Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour 5 event. The Harneys BVI Squash Open tournament will take place May 16 – 18, 2019 at the Tortola Sports Club (TSC), Virgin Islands.

“This is a landmark event for squash in the BVI and I am particularly excited that the BVI Squash Rackets Association made the decision to host the event to complement the annual Men’s PSA BVI Open Championships which has been held here since 2014,” said Adam Murrills, Head Squash Coach, TSC.

Organisers are expecting squash players from all over the world with title contenders coming in from Canada, America, Egypt, Colombia, Brazil, Germany, Guyana and England as well as players representing the Virgin Islands. The international contingent includes players ranked in the PSA world’s top 80.

The tournament will be played in a knockout format meaning there will be no room for error. The first round of matches will be played on Thursday, May 16th starting at 5.30pm. The Quarter Finals will take place on the morning of Friday, May 17th from 10.30am and will be followed by the Semi Finals at 6.45pm and 7.30pm. there will be an exhibition match played at 4.00pm on Saturday, May 18th and the Finals of the tournament will be played at 5.00pm.

The public is encouraged to attend the matches and to support all the players. “This is the first time that a squash event in the BVI will feature an all female cast and it would be great to create an atmosphere which the women deserve and also to witness some fantastic squash!” said Murrills. “Hosting an event like this requires external support and I would just like to say a massive thank you to Harneys, Deloitte, Commercial Dive Services (BVI), AZUR Consulting, International Motors and 305 Squash who have helped make this tournament a reality – it’s much appreciated!”

The Club House at the Tortola Sports Club is open to the public and will be serving food and refreshments.

Filed Under: Squash, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

VI sailors make news – Thad Lettsome selected for Lima 2019 PanAm Games

April 18, 2019 by

By Royal BVI Yacht Club

Thad Lettsome. Source:All at Sea

2019 PanAm Games
Thad Lettsome will be representing the Virgin Islands (UK) in the Men’s Laser event at this year’s Pan American Games in Peru. The territory’s #1 Laser sailor has been awarded a Universality Place by the organizing committee and will be traveling to the prestigious event in July this year.

The BVI has not been represented in the sailing events at the PanAm Games since the 1990s.

RWU Hall of Fame
BVI Sailor, Alec Anderson, has been inducted into the Roger Williams University Hall of Fame. Anderson was a four-year member of the RWU Sailing team, ending his career as one of the most accomplished sailors in program history. He was a three-time ICSA All-American Coed Skipper and a three-time All-NEISA First Team Skipper. Congratulations Alec!

Charleston Race Week
Colin Rathbun, Christian Thompson, Ted Reshetiloff and Max Reshetiloff representing the BVI raced in the Flying Tiger 7.5 class with Andrew Kerr at the 2019 Sperry Charleston Race Week. The Team finished 1st overall with four wins in the 9 race series and never finishing lower than third in any race. Congratulations Team BVI!

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Lima 2019, PanAM Games, Sailing Tagged With: , , , ,

Panam Sport Development Commission meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica

April 17, 2019 by
Ashley Kelly – Virgin Islands (UK)

Ashley Kelly, Athlete Representative, Panam Sport Commission Board and BVI Senior Athlete (400m & 200m) reports on first meeting of the year

My birthday, March 25th, was a day filled with exciting experiences. I was fortunate to travel to San Jose, Costa Rica for the Sports Development Commission meeting, the first meeting of the year, and my second attendance since I was named an Athlete Representative for the Panam Sport Commission board. I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica at 1:00pm in the afternoon, and by 4:30pm I was in my first meeting. There was no time to be wasted as we were only in Costa Rica for less than 48 hours.

Finalizing the Tokyo 2020 Development Camp was on the agenda this year. The Camp is designed to help athletes who qualify for the Tokyo Games travel to Japan up to ten days before the opening of the Village and use Olympic standard facilities.

The Camp will provide an opportunity for smaller countries with low funding to send their qualified athletes over to Tokyo early so they can become acclimated with the time zone change and ensure that the athlete has every opportunity to perform optimally during the competition. The intent of the Camp is to help level the playing field in competing against much larger countries with funding for elite facilities.

Since the Virgin Islands’ average attendance at the Games is about 4-5 athletes, the territory is eligible to take advantage of the initiative and attend a prearranged camp before Tokyo 2020.

Sport Development
As an Athlete Representative, I have the opportunity to sit in on all the Sport Development meetings and provide useful subjective insight into situations that many executives look at objectively. Organizations have to pay careful attention to their “bottom line,” and make strategic decisions, but it is vital to take into account an athlete’s point of view because these decisions directly impact us athletes and our ability to prepare, train and compete in major games.

The trip wasn’t all work and no play; it concluded with a beautiful dinner at Costa Rica Olympic Committee’s property. The Costa Rica OC’s property was a gorgeous estate once owned by a Costa Rican drug lord, seized by the government and given to the Costa Rica OC to use for offices, an event hall, weight lifting facility, and open grassland.

My own President of the BVIOC, Mr. Ephraim Penn, joined me at dinner. I recently learned that he is also a member of the Panam Sports Commission for New Events which is currently working on the inaugural meeting of the Panam Junior Games in Cali, Columbia in 2023.

I traveled out to Miami at 6 am the next morning and resumed training for the opening of my upcoming season, energized by the brief but enlightening trip.

Being a member of the Panam Sports Athlete Commission is an honor, and I am elated with the opportunity each time I get an assignment or correspondence from the Board. Through this experience I’ve made new relationships with sports executives, I’ve learned a great deal about the business of sport, behind the scenes of the events we athletes compete at, and the numerous strategic decisions made to further opportunities for athletes to compete in the Panam region.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Panam Sports Tagged With: , , ,

Athletes will feel at home at Lima 2019

April 1, 2019 by
The VIDENA sports complex is one of the multiple sports venues which will be used during the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games. It includes the velodrome, athletics stadium and warm-up track, an aquatics centre with three pools, a 24-lane bowling alley, an indoor sports arena, plus an upgraded administration building and the Lima 2019 Control Centre. Photo: Lima 2019

With just under four months to go until the Games begin, the construction of the Pan American and Parapan American Games Village, located in Villa El Salvador, Lima, has been completed ahead of schedule. The village is now ready to welcome athletes, Para athletes and technical officials who will travel to Peru in July 2019 to compete in the Pan Am Games.

The Fields of Play have already been established for the majority of the sports at Villa Maria del Triunfo and VIDENA sports complexes that will each host multiple sports during the Games.

Kyron McMaster automatically qualified to compete in Lima 2019 when he won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 Central American Caribbean (CAC) Games in August 2018. Eldred Henry’s recent record-setting achievements during the 2019 indoor and outdoor season have also qualified him for the Games.

With qualifying meets and competitions now underway, the BVI Olympic Committee anticipates additional athletes from track and field, swimming and sailing to qualify over the coming months.

The Pan Am Games is the largest multi sport event in the Americas and while the Virgin Islands is one of two countries yet to win a medal at these games, we are very optimistic of our chances at Lima 2019,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee.

President of Lima 2019, Carlos Neuhaus said that “Lima 2019 will be a sporting and, at the same time, a cultural festival that will allow Peru to be seen by the eyes of the world. In our capacity as host, we will offer athletes sports infrastructure with quality standards and a cultural program of equal quality. The success of the Games will be the great experience that athletes and visitors will be able to have, and the legacy left for Peruvians.”

About the Pan American Games
The Pan American Games (Pan Am Games) is a major sporting event in the Americas featuring a variety of summer sports in which athletes from nations of the Americas compete every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games. The 2019 Pan Am and Parapan American Games will take place in Lima, Peru in July and August.

The opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium on July 26, 2019. This continental event will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and delegations from the Americas.

There will be 17 days of competitions and ceremonies, between July 26 and August 11, 2019, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues such as VIDENA, Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, among others.

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 62 disciplines, where athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. A total of 23 disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place between August 23 and September 1, 2019. Fourteen sports quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be granted.

On March 27, 2019, the Panam sports Executive Committee agreed that Cali, the “capital of sport” in Colombia will host the first Junior Pan American Games for young athletes in 2021.

About Panam Sports
Panam Sports (formerly known as Pan American Sports Organization – PASO) is the governing body of the Pan American Games and its structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter. Panam Sports is the leader of sports and the Olympic Movement in the Americas and encourages the sports development and supports the work of the 41 National Olympic Committees members, in order to inspire more world-class performances and the next generation of athletes across our region.

Filed Under: Panam Sports Tagged With: , , , ,

St Vincent & Grenadines cyclist Trevor Bailey wins BVICF 2019 Election Classic

February 19, 2019 by

Winners and participants of the BVI Cycling Federation’s 2019 Election Classic 74.2 mile race held on Feb 17, 2019. 1st Place – Trevor Bailey (St Vincent & the Grenadines) 357:40; 2nd place – Sean Weathered (Antigua & Barbuda) 357:45; 3rd place Philippe Leroy (BVI) 357:47. Photo: CM Farrington/BVIOC

Pack leaders from St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda and the British Virgin Islands took to the podium of the BVI Cycling Federation’s (BVICF) 2019 Election Classic bicycle race.

The 74.2 mile race took place around the flatter, western end of Tortola, BVI on Sunday February 17, 2019.

In a sprint to the finish line, the 3 top cyclists completed the race within a couple of seconds of each other.

Trevor ‘Sailor’ Bailey from St Vincent and the Grenadines was first to cross the line in a time of 357:40 with Antiguan cyclist, Sean Weathered nipping at his wheel in a time of 357:45 to place second while Philippe Leroy (BVI)  followed closely to take third place in a time of 357:47.

Four women also competed completing a shorter course of 2 laps. The BVI racers included Olympia Fahie, Natasha Ruscheinski and Kay Reddy

The event was sponsored by the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Village Cay Hotel & Marina, One Stop Mall, TSBC Company LTD and Eugene Penn Taxi Services.

Filed Under: Cycling Tagged With: , , , ,

BVI Female Team bring home Kings & Queens VI Fast-pitch Softball Tournament trophy from St. Croix

January 28, 2019 by

By Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association

The BVI Women’s Softball team defeated St.Croix 10-15 in the final inning of the Kings & Queens of the Virgin Islands Fast-pitch Softball Tournament in St. Croix (Jan 18-20) to bring home the championship title and trophy. Photo: VISBA

On Sunday, January 20th the BVI Women’s Team defeated the St. Croix Women’s Team 15 – 10 in the championship game of the Kings & Queens of the Virgin Islands Fast-pitch softball tournament to bring home the trophy.

Makeda Fahie (left fielder) made a spectacular catch in the bottom of the 7th inning to preserve the victory for the British Virgin Islands. The winning pitcher was Kennisha Powell. Top hitters of the final game were Claury Scattliffe who went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and 1 stolen base. Shamora Penn went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI.

Both male and female Softball teams attended the Kings and Queens of the Virgin Islands tournament where all games were held at the Castle Coakley Ballpark in St. Croix, USVI Jan 18 – 20.

On Friday January 18th , both male and female teams won their games respectively. The male team defeated the St. Croix Tigers 5-4 with a walk off home run by Devon Bedford. The female team defeated Griffith Park Massive of St. Thomas with a final score 7-1. The winning pitchers were Allen “Woodrow” Smith and Che’Vaunne Richardson.

On Saturday January 19th, the Women’s team had a head to head battle to the end of the 7th inning but lost 7-6 to the St. Croix Women’s Team. The male team lost 4-0 to St. Croix LLacos in the final inning with fighting pitches from Nikos Penn.

On Sunday January 20th the male team came up short as they lost their final game of the tournament 8-7 against Griffith Park Massive of St. Thomas. Due to this losa, the male team didn’t advance to the championships but played exceptionally well.

The president of the Virgin Islands Softball–Baseball Association (VISBA) presented the Most Valuable Player Trophy to Che’Vaunne Richardson as she led the team to its victory during the tournament. Coaches Allen “Woodrow” Smith and Jeremy Penn stated “the ladies have worked extremely hard and played well to bring home the championship trophy from St. Croix.”

VISBA congratulates both teams as they continue to strive for success and thanks the BVI Olympic Committee for their continued support in ensuring the BVI Women’s team get as much exposure as possible.

Filed Under: Softball-Baseball Tagged With: ,

Alexandrina Maduro Primary School are Inter Primary Division B Champions

March 17, 2017 by

Source VINO

Alexandrina Maduro Primary school are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground. Photo: Provided

Alexandrina Maduro Primary school are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground. Photo: Provided

Alexandrina Maduro Primary School are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground in Road Town.

Leonora Delville were second on 268, Ivan Dawson third with 257 and Robinson O’Neal fourth with 205.

The Victor Ludurom was shared between Malaki A. Smith of Isabella Morris Primary and Sean Samuel of Robinson O ‘Neal, who both scored 30 points.

The Victrix Ludurom was K’Zariah Harrigan of Alexandrina Maduro Primary School. Harrigan scored 28 points.

Schools in the A Division are in action today, Thursday March 16, 2017, with St George’s, on the strength of the Boys who won every age group of the Long Jump and Baseball Throw pre events, leading perennial champs Althea Scatliffe by four points, 57-53.

Willard Wheatley are third with 43, while there’s a three way tie for fourth between new comers Joyce Samuel, Francis Lettsome and Enis Adams, all on 33 points. Ebenezer Thomas Primary lie seventh with 29 points and Bregado Flax Educational Centre round out the field with 25 points.

Alexandrina Maduro Primary school are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground. Photo: Provided

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , ,

Teams set for BDO Primary School League finals

March 9, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Cedar Green beat First Impressions 1-0 to reach the BDO U7 Final. Photo: BVIFA

Cedar Green beat First Impressions 1-0 to reach the BDO U7 Final. Photo: BVIFA

The semifinals of the BDO Primary School League Age Groups proved action packed intense and dramatic as teams fought for a place in the showcase finals on March 22nd, as did the Avanell “Clarky” Morton Senior Boys Cup Final.

First Up, in the U7’s, an Ethan Singh goal settled the game for Cedar Green against First Impressions and they move onto face Montessori, who overcame Bregado Flax, 2-0, with goals from Lochlan Geyser and Charlie Potgeiter.

In the U9’s, an early strike from Re’Mauri Walters put Bregado Flax in the driving seat against Cedar Green and with further strikes coming from Kyle Farrington and Quyle Billingy, their passage into the Final was assured with a 3-0 score line.

Their opponents in that final will be Althea Scatliffe Primary, who beat First Impressions, 2-1, with the winner scored by Othniel Gillings after Mario Carter’s opener had been cancelled out by Orrit Kenedy.

The U12 semifinal between Cedar Green and Cedar White turned into a gladiatorial affair and was ultimately settled by a goal from Alex Salter and then in the dying moments, Azarni Callwood, who made it 2-0 with a scorching drive.

They will be facing Bregado Flax in the Final, after a Jaden Abrams penalty broke the deadlock against ASPS.

In the High School round up, Bregado Flax Senior Boys also had much success in winning the inaugural Avanell “Clarky” Morton Cup, 3-1, on home turf against Elmore Stout High School.

Tyrique Gardener, Daniel Gilford and Kemron Tillack all scored for BFEC, whilst Marcus Butler fired home a late consolation for ESHS.

In the Open High School Girls League it has come down to a two-horse race with Bregado Flax facing Cedar School on Saturday 11th March, 2017, knowing any result other than defeat will give the championship.

However, if Cedar win, then they will go to a game with St Georges Girls, with another victory handing them the title on goal difference from BFEC.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: , ,

BVI athletes deliver good results for USA colleges

March 7, 2017 by

By BVI Athletics Association

BVI athletes compete for USA colleges at the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

BVI athletes competed for USA colleges at the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

Athletes from the BVI competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017 and posted the following times.

Judine Lacey ran the 400m in a time of 1:00.18.

Taylor Hill ran the 60m dash in a time of 7.58 seconds in the semi-finals and also competed in the 200m with a time of 25.51 seconds.

Shaian Vandenburg of Monroe College ran the 60m dash in a time of 7.89 seconds.

Tarique Moses of Central Arizona helped his team secure a 13th overall finish in a time of 10:51.08.

Jonel Lacey of Albany University competing at the IC4/Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Regionals contributed a 56.6 seconds split in the 4 X 400m relay to place 6th. With this, the female team was able to garner enough points to win the ECAC Title! Winning the prestigious title is a first for the University of Albany.

Adaejah Hodge competing for Berkmar High School, GA placed 3rd in the Girls’ 100m with a time of 13.35 and 2nd in the 200m with a time of 27.54. Adaejah also anchored both the 4×1 and 4×4 teams helping them to a first place finish.

Sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite of IMG competed at a local meet in Florida and jumped a distance of 6.84m in the Long Jump.

Tarika Moses ran 11.70 seconds in the Women 100m dash to place 2nd at the Beaver Relays in Sacremento, CA.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , ,
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