VI athletes showcase territory at Gold Coast 2018 at Opening

April 5, 2018 by

By BVI Commonwealth Games Association

Team BVI in outfits styled by Kristin Fraser of Trefle Design BVI at the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony on April 4

The Virgin Islands team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) entered the Carrara Stadium at the Opening Ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, April 4. The team comprising the 10 athletes, coaches, physio and Chef de Mission, was led by 400m hurdler, Kyron McMaster who was selected as the flag bearer.

“The Opening ceremony was a great occasion for us all,” said Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission. “All the athletes were on good form and are excited for the start of the Games. It was rewarding to know that we had a fan base in the audience which included our CGA guests, Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering and Mrs. Pickering.”

The celebration featured a creative mix of ancient and modern Australia, connected by an array of classic Australian images that told a universal story of inclusiveness and diversity. The official start of the 21st Commonwealth Games was announced when the Queen’s Baton – which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – was run into the stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes was removed from the Baton and read out by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

The team’s outfits were styled by the VI’s Kristin Fraser of Trèfle Design. “I was excited to create the opening ceremonial wear for the team,” said Kristin. “Colours evoke moods and I wanted to create something that would make the wearer feel happy on both the inside and out amongst all the other countries around them.”

Kristin used one of her first prints ever made called the “Artwork Print” and hand-painted by a local artist/designer and selected for originality, color and fabric. The print was coupled with a sleeveless top design for the women and included an over-sized bow meant to work and look like a scarf.

“The various shades of blue represent our waters and custom converse “chucks” were made by a local shoe guru to tie the entire look together. It was all about incorporating local talent, design and color so I’m blessed to be a part of this journey with the BVI delegation” she said.

The men wore white shirts, black pants and a white scarf imprinted with the elements that make up the VI flag – the Union Jack and the territorial coat of arms which depicts Saint Ursula framed by eleven oil lamps representing the 11,000 virgins after whom the Virgin Islands were named. Beneath St. Ursula is a scroll that reads, in Latin, “Vigilate” (Be Watchful).

 

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , ,

Official Welcome for VI athletes ahead of Opening Ceremony. McMaster flagbearer

April 4, 2018 by

The BVI delegation attend the welcome reception and flag raising ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Village. Photo: Mark Latimer/BVICGA

The Virgin Islands athletes and delegates attended the official welcome and flag raising ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Athletes’ Village on Tuesday, April 2.

The event precedes the official start of the 21st Commonwealth Games when the Queen’s Baton – which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes. This Opening ceremony will take place at 7.00pm on April 4 (5:00am, Wednesday, April 4, VI time) where Kyron McMaster will lead the VI contingent of 10 athletes and 5 coaches as the flag bearer. The VI team will be sporting an outfit styled by VI designer, Kristin Fraser of Trèfle BVI.

The 10 athletes will represent the territory in two sports starting with Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino in the men’s Squash singles on Thursday, April 5.

Track and field competitions for the VI’s athletes will begin with Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in the women’s 100m heats starting at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 8 (midnight, Saturday, April 7, VI time) followed by Khari Herbert in the men’s 400m at 3.25pm (1.25am, Sunday, April 8, VI time), and Eldred Henry in the men’s Shot Put at 4.35pm (2.35am, Sunday, April 8, VI time).

Ashley Kelly will run in the 400m heats at 10.30am on Monday, April 9 (8.30pm, Sunday, April 8, VI time).

Kyron McMaster will debut in the Commonwealth Games with the 400m Hurdles heats at 11.15 am on Tuesday, April 10 (9.15pm, Monday, April 9, VI time), followed by Tynelle Gumbs in the Hammer Throw at 8.40 pm (6.40 am, Tuesday, April 10, VI time).

Chantel Malone will compete in the Long Jump at 7.00pm on Wednesday, April 11 (5.00am, VI time).

Eldred will then throw the Discus at 10.00am on Thursday, April 12 (8.00pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time) and Trevia Gumbs will hurl the Shot Put at 12.15pm (10.15 pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time). Trevia and twin sister, Tynelle will then compete in the Discus throw at 8.40pm that night (6.40am, Thursday, April 12, VI time).

The Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

To date the VI has participated in 7 Commonwealth Games, the first being in athletics in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. The Gold Coast 2018 Games will be the territory’s 8th appearance and is the first major international event since the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents coming together to participate in the Friendly Games, organizers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

The Commonwealth Games Federation vision is to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport. The vision, mission and values of the Commonwealth Sports Movement hinge on three core values: Humanity, Equality, and Destiny.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , ,

#TeamBVI settle in ahead of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

April 2, 2018 by

The first arrivals of #teambvi at the Gold Coast 2018 Games have dinner at the Village on March 27. Photo: BVICGA

The complete British Virgin Islands contingent attending the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is now in Australia ready for the Opening Ceremony on April 4 when over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 nations and territories will converge on the Gold Coast for an 11 day sporting and cultural event.

Planning to deal with the challenges of competing in a country which is 14 hours ahead of local Eastern Standard Time, athletes started to arrive into the Gold Coast from March 27 to work on adjusting their body clock and acclimate to the weather, which varies between warm and sunny days and cooler, wet ones.

Chef de Mission, Mark Chapman, got to the Athletes’ Village on March 26 to ensure that all was in place for a smooth transition for the team. The BVICGA assistants Kathrine and Lynne, who were assigned by the organizers of the Games, worked alongside the CGA attaché, former VI resident, Julie Pearson to get the accommodation comfortable and the uniforms sorted.

The first batch of the ten competing athletes and the coaches to be welcomed by the Chef de Mission were Ashley Kelly (200m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (1oom), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles) along with coaches, Joey Scott, Winston Potter, and Teymahl Huggins.

Some of the athletes went to the track that day while others had treatment with the team resident physio, Mark Latimer to shake out the journey.

“Everyone is in good spirits despite their long flights and the camaraderie and humour amongst them is infectious and invigorating,” said the Chef de Mission.  “We had a pleasant dinner all together in the main dining hall and everyone was able to connect with old friends from other nations, which apart from the sport itself, is one of the ways in which the Commonwealth Games is unique in bringing cultures and friendships across boundaries together.”

The athletes have rated the practice facilities first class and the athletes took full advantage of the polyclinic before it got too busy over the weekend.

Throwing coach, Omar Jones arrived on Thursday, March 29. That same day some of the athletes went to the training venue whilst others had a gym day at the village.

BVICGA President, Ephraim Penn and Secretary General, Lloyd Black, arrived into Gold Coast on March 30 in time for the CGF General Assembly on March 31.

On April 1, Das Surapaneni, a guest of the BVICGA, arrived. Now retired, Das who was a PE teacher for many years at the BVI High School (now the Elmore Stoutt High School) made great contributions to sport in the territory.

Athletes also took things up a notch again at the gym and the track on Easter Sunday.

“Everyone is very relaxed and enjoying quiet and calm in this mid-period between recovery from travel and their final event preparation,” reported the Chef de Mission.

The final complement of athletes and coaches arrived early in the morning on Monday, April 2 when Squash players Joe Chapman, and Neville Sorrentino – both playing in the singles and doubles – and their coach, Adam Murrills and the remaining 3 field athletes, Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Trevia Gumbs (Discus, Shot Put), and Tynelle Gumbs (Discus, Hammer Throw)received a a warm welcome into the village.

The 21st Commonwealth Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , ,

VI athletes ready for Flow Carifta Games Bahamas 2018

March 29, 2018 by

By BVI Athletics Association

BVI’s athletes for the 2018 Flow Carifta Games stand behind officials (l-r) Ralston Henry – Athlete Representative, Nadia James-Harris – Flow Marketing and Communication Manager, Steve Augustine – BVI Athletics Association President, Brenda Lettsome-Tye – Director of Youth Affairs and Sports (Ag.), Ephraim Penn – BVI Olympic Committee President. Photo: Cleave Farrington/BVIAA

The British Virgin Islands Athletics Association introduced the athletes who will be competing at the 47th Flow Carifta Games to be held in Bahamas from March 30 – April 2, 2018. The announcement was made at a press conference held on Monday, March 26th 2018 at the BVI Arbitration Centre, Ritter House, Tortola.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance:
Track and Field athletes includes under 17 Female: Xiomara Malone (100m Hurdles, High Jump and Long Jump), Zara Brown (100m and 200m) and Akrisa Eristee (200m and 400m). Under 17 Male: Malik John (200m and 400m) and Jaleel Croal (100m and 200m). Under 20 Female: Beyonce Defreitas (100m and 200m), Arianna Hayne (Long Jump) and Akira Phillip (Javelin). Under 20 Male: Rikkoi Brathwaite (100 and 200m), Joshua Hill (200m and 400m), Djimon Gumbs (Shot put and Discus) and Diamante Gumbs (Shot put and Discus).

Officials attending the Games include Stephanie Russ-Penn, Team Manager; Coaches Karene King, Cliff Williams and Erwin Telemaque; Chester “Levi” James, Team Physio and Cleave Farrington, Press.

Commenting to the athletes on their selection, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye – Director of Youth Affairs and Sports (Ag.), who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports Hon. Myron V. Walwyn congratulated all the athletes that have qualified for the games. She further stated that the Minister extended his congratulations to the coaches and parents. She said “Honourable Walwyn is very excited and pleased that the Virgin Islands was able to field a team at the Carifta Games, especially after all that we have been through with the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and we will continue to have his support. We are a resilient people and we expect nothing but the very best from you. We expect you to continue to be BVI strong and we expect you to bring back medals again.”

BVI Olympic Committee President, Ephraim Penn congratulated athletes on being selected noting further that Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the VI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said, “We recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes, their families and not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels”.

Mr. Penn thanked the BVI Government for working with the BVIOC to get sports to this stage, he also thanked the BVIAA President, Steve Augustine, Flow, Puma and especially the parents of the athletes.

Mr. Penn said “the BVI Olympic Committee stands committed to help in the development of sport and in particular, track and field. We have sponsored the team this year for US$20,000, in addition, a shipment of track and field equipment has arrived in the territory from Panam Sports and to top it off, a contract between Mondo and Panam Sports is in the final stage for the replacement of the track surface at the A.O. Shirley Grounds. Our job is to make sure your job is easy. You put in the work. It’s our responsiblity to make sure things are in place to help you succeed.”

In closing Mr. Penn reminded Athletes that they are subject to anti-doping testing at the games.

Mrs. Nadia James-Harris, Flow Marketing and Communication Manager in her remarks congratulated all the athletes. Flow is the title sponsor of the annual Carifta Games for the third consecutive year. Ms. James-Harris stated that “Flow invests in Caribbean dreams as the best and brightest display of talents by Caribbean Athletes.”

She encourages all to follow the games in Flow Sports and identify BVI as your favourite team with #FlowCarifta. To the athletes, Mrs James-Harris said “We are confident that you are going to go faster, you are going to go further, and you are going to go higher and make us all proud and bring home some medals as you always do.”

Mrs. James-Harris presented 4 handsets to the BVI Athletics Association to assist the team during the Games with activated 7 Day Prepaid Combo Plans.

Additional contributions from Flow include:
• Featuring the BVI Delegation athletes through a series of 30 second videos of the athletes in training, or talking about their experiences preparing for the games
• Engaging the BVIAA and Carifta athletes in a radio interview on ZBVI
• Hosting a Carifta Games Watch Party – Sunday April 1st, 2018 at Mulligan’s 4 p.m. (all invited)

BVIAA President, Mr. Steve Augustine in his remarks made mention that Puma is now the BVI’s Track and Field official sponsor to outfit the national team competing at all international and regional events.

Puma has sponsored BVI world-ranked athletes, Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdler), and Chantel Malone (Long Jump) who have recently signed individual deals with the sportswear company. “This is certainly not the first time that Puma has sponsored the BVI Track Athletes,” said Mr. Augustine. As documented by Mr. Rey O’Neal, Mr. Augustine read “Puma outfitted the British Virgin Islands’ first Olympic team to Los Angeles in 1984 as well as competitors at the 1987 and 1991 World Championships in Athletics. Members of the first Olympic group still resident in the Territory include track and field athletes, Dean Greenaway, Guy Hill, and Lindel Hodge, sailors, Dr. Robin Tattersall, Keith Thomas, and Elvet Meyers, and team officials, Rey O’Neal, and Hon. Mark Vanterpool.”

Mr. Augustine commended the late Xavier ‘Dag’ Samuels who was instrumental with the PUMA deal for BVI Athletics. He said “Part of the reason we are here in Puma gear today had a great deal to do with the drive Coach Samuels brought to the table.”

In his closing remarks. Mr. Augustine reflected on past Carifta games’ medalists and made mention of the numerous athletes that have benefited in athletics scholarship for tertiary level education through the BVI Athletics and reinforced the importance of BVI Government investment into track and tield athletes.

The official opening ceremony of the Flow Carifta Games is set for Friday, March 30th at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas starting at 6 p.m. Competition begins on Saturday, March 31st until Monday, April 2nd, 2018.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , , , ,

VI athletes get set for Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

February 16, 2018 by

By BVICGA

VI athletes selected to compete at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australia from April 4 – 15, 2018 are (clockwise from top left): Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Kyron McMaster (400M Hurdles), Khari Herbert (400m), Joseph Chapman (Singles and Doubles Squash), Neville Sorrentino (Singles and Doubles Squash), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Ashley Kelly (400m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put). Photo: BVIOC

The Virgin Islands will be represented by ten athletes in two sports at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games which will be held on the East coast of Australia from April 4 – 15, 2018.

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in its capacity as the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA), is the local entity responsible for managing and undertaking the administration requirements for participation. The CGA also serves as the body to whom National Federations present their qualified athletes to undergo the selection process.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance in the national and international arena:

Track and Field athletes include Ashley Kelly (400m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles).

Squash players include Joe Chapman (Squash Singles and Doubles), and Neville Sorrentino (Squash Singles and Doubles).

Commending the athletes on their selection, CGA President, Ephraim Penn said, “The Commonwealth Games is one of the five main international sporting events that VI athletes aspire to compete in and it’s not easy to be selected. We have a restriction on the number of athletes that can take part in the Games based on our past participation, and the selected sports men and women should be justifiably proud that their hard work and commitment has paid off. We are excited to be heading off with what is perhaps one of the largest and strongest teams to represent the territory at these Games.”

Noting further that the August floods, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the VI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said “We recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes, their families and not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels. The CGA highly commends and congratulates all those selected and looks forward to the positive impact a successful Games will have on the morale of all our athletes and the territory.”

Events are spread out over a number of venues and the Gold Coast’s Carrara Stadium will be the venue for Athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies, while Squash will be held at Oxenford.

“I visited the Gold Coast 2018 venues at the end of 2017 and was impressed with the facilities that await our athletes,” said Mr. Mark Chapman, Chef De Mission for GC2018. “Australia is a long-haul trip and many of our athletes will begin their journey in a few weeks so that they can settle in, acclimate and get on with their training regime ahead of their events. I am in regular contact with the athletes and coaches both directly and through the National Federations to ensure that everyone is informed and well prepared for these exciting Games.”

Officials attending the Games include Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission; Julie Pearson, Attaché; Athletics coaches Loren Seagrave, Joey Scott, Winston Potter, and Omar Jones; and Squash coach Adam Murrills. Mark Latimer will be the Team Physio.

The BVI CGA will be represented by President, Ephraim Penn and Secretary General, Lloyd Black.

It is expected that Dr. The Honourable Kedrick Pickering will also be in attendance as a representative of the Virgin Islands.

Conducted every four years since inception in 1930, the GC2018 will be the 21st edition of the sporting event known as the Friendly Games. To date the VI has participated in 7 Commonwealth Games, the first being in athletics in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. The Gold Coast 2018 Games will be the territory’s 8th appearance and is the first major international event since the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The GC2018 opening ceremony will kick off when the Queen’s Baton Relay – the pre-cursor to the Commonwealth Games which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials expected from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents to come together to participate in the Friendly Games, organizers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

The Commonwealth Games Federation vision is to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport. The vision, mission and values of the Commonwealth Sports Movement hinge on three core values: Humanity, Equality, and Destiny.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , ,

Delegation return from Bahamas with VI’s first Commonwealth Youth Games medals

July 24, 2017 by

The Virgin Islands’ team at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo: Bahamas Athletics / Kermit Taylor

Thrower, Dijimon Gumbs won the Virgin Islands’ first ever medal for a Commonwealth Youth Games at the 6th edition of the Games hosted in Nassau, Bahamas.

Dijimon received the Bronze medal in discus on July 20 with a heave of 56.24m. First place went to Connor Bell of New Zealand (63.17) and second place to James Tomlinson of Wales (60.11).

Beyonce Defreitas went on to earn the VI’s second medal when she won silver in the 200m event with a time of 23.88. First place went to Riley Day of Australia (23.42) and the bronze to Ella Connolly of Australia (24.09).

“We are tremendously proud of the sterling performances by Dijimon Gumbs and Beyonce Defreitas as well as the performances of the rest of the team,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in its capacity as the BVI Commonwealth Games (BVICGA). “Winning the Virgin Islands’ first medals at a Commonwealth Youth Games is definitely a special milestone in the Territory’s sporting history and we congratulate the athletes with their success. We also recognise the efforts and results of all our athletes who, on the whole, were able to keep their focus in competition. We encourage them all to continue on the path of success, taking lessons learned and putting them into action for future games and competitions and not least, to share their experiences of the friendly games with their family and friends – it has surely been a memorable one!”

On day 1 of competitions (Wednesday, July 19), tennis player Adrian Baijnauth lost in two sets (2-6, 0-6) to Arki Nobbs of Norfolk Island in the Men Singles. Later that evening, the BVI delegation was invited to the Atlantis Resort for a reception to honour the visit of the Queen’s Baton.

Day 2 of competition (Thursday, July 20) was the beginning of Track and Field events. The BVI team performed admirably with the following results:
Djimon Gumbs – Bronze medal in the Discus (56.24m)
Diamante Gumbs – 6th Discus (50.67m Personal Best)
Arianna Hayde – 6th Long Jump (5.57m)
Joshua Hill – 5th in 400m heat (49.75s)
Mikkel Bassue – 7th in 100m (10.90 P.B in Semifinals and 10.86 P.B in the finals)
Diamante Gumbs – 4th in Shot Put (16.66)

Day 3 of competition (Friday, July 21) was the continuation of Track and Field events with the following results:
Beyonce DeFreitas – 1st in 200m heat (25.01)
Mikkel Bassue – 6th in 200m heat (22.73)
Diamante Gumbs – 6th in Shot Put Finals (16.03)

Day 4 of competition (Saturday, July 22) continued with Track and Field events with the following result:
Beyonce DeFreitas – 2nd in 200m finals (23.88 having run 24.14 in the preceding semi finals)
Arianna Hayde – 5th in Javelin (44.73)

Prior to competitions, the opening ceremony started on Tuesday July 18th with Dijimon Gumbs being the flag bearer of the VI delegation. The VI stood proud among the 71 participating countries as they marched across the stadium in front of the gathered crowd. The closing ceremony rounded off the Games on Sunday, July 23.

The delegation of athletes, coaches (Malcolm Dabreo – Tennis, Omar Jones -Field, Willis Todman – Track, Physio, Chester Levi), Chef de Mission, Sabinah Clement, and President of the BVICGA, Ephraim Penn returned to the VI on Monday, July 24 to be greeted with a welcome ceremony.

Click on the ling for complete results: https://results.bahamas2017cyg.com/static/eng/zz/engzz_general-general-schedule.htm

Filed Under: Athletics, Bahamas 2017 news, BVI Olympic Committee, Tennis Tagged With: , , , ,

Track and Field Athletes improve personal best performances

February 13, 2017 by

By BVI Athletics Association

Boys 100m hurdles at the BVIAA 4th Development meet on February 4, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

Boys 100m hurdles at the BVIAA 4th Development meet on February 4, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

Click to view the British Virgin Islands Athletics Association (BVIAA) results at the 4th Development which took place on February 4, 2017. The next meet will be the Johnny Hassan Relays on February 25th, 2017 with some overseas countries visiting our shores to take part.

The results of BVI Athletes competing overseas over the weekend of February 3rd – 5th, 2017 are as follows:

Young Olympians Track meet, Barbados
Zara Brown won the 100m dash with -0.3 wind reading with a time of 12.04 seconds to establish a personal best and a 100th of a second off qualifying time 12.03 for Carifta Games, Curacao. Ms. Brown also placed 3rd in the 300m hurdles.

T-Kailah Richardson placed 5th in the 100m with a time of 13.07 seconds.

Chrystal Mitchel placed 6th in the 100m with a time of 13.27 seconds.

Asia McMaster won the 100m dash in a time of 13.89 seconds in the under 11 girls.

Xiamora Malone won the high jump with a leap of 1.50m.

Abriel Magloire placed 3rd in 400 heat in the under 15.

Akeela McMaster won her 400 hear in the under 13 girls.

Amory Invitational, NY, U.S.A.
Ashley Kelly won the 60m with a time of 7.55 seconds while L’T’Sha Fahie placed second with a time of 7.56 seconds  which is a new personal best for L’T’Sha.

Beyonce Defreitas recorded a time of 57.10 seconds in the 400m with Karene King – 58.21 seconds; Zakharia Frett – 1:00.477 and L’T’Sha 1:00.941

Team BVI placed 3rd in the 4X200m relay with Jamaica placing 1st and USA 2nd. The Team BVI relay team was made up of Ashley Kelly, Karene King, Beyonce Defreitas and L’T’Sha Fahie.

ShaianVandenburg representing Monroe College, ran a time of 7.83 seconds in the 60m dash.

Mikkel Bassue ran a time of 23.09 seconds in the 200m and 52.17 seconds in the 400m in Cardif, Wales.

Nelda Huggins improved on her previous PB of 7.64 seconds to establish another PB in the 60m dash with a time 7.53 seconds in Nebraska, U.S.A.

Trevia Gumbs established a seasons best in Weight Throw with a heave of 17.73m at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic, Michigan. The following day Ms. Gumbs improved on her weight throw to a new personal best of 17.77m (58’-3 5/8”) to win the event while also establishing a new Meet Record at the Joe Banks Invitational in Ohio.

Taylor Hill won the 200m in a time of 25.30 seconds at Texas A&M.

 

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , , , ,

BVI swimmers shine at Virgin Islands Short Course Swim Meet

February 10, 2017 by

By BVI Swim Federation

BVI Swim Federation swimmers from the Makos Swim Club (L to R) Coach Elworth Phillip, Arianna Angus, Khadijah Sampson, Kassia Nichols, Jaden Marshall, Kurt Salapare at the Virgin Islands Short Course Meet, St Thomas. Photo: BVI Swim Federation

Five Makos Swim Club Swimmers started their 2017 swim year with stellar performances at the USVI Birthday Bash Swim Meet on 28 January 2017.

Competing for Team BVI were Jaden Marshall, Khadijah Sampson, Kassia Nichols, Kurt Salapare, Arianna Angus. This was an open meet where all swimmers competed in mixed age group events.

Coach Elsworth Phillip said he was happy with the way the swimmers performed at this event simply based on the fact that the young swimmers had an opportunity to compete against older, stronger swimmers in mixed events. “Meets like these provide an opportunity for our swimmers to compete for better times as they are being pushed by stronger swimmers.”

Notable results for BVI Swimmers
Makos male swimmers showing great progress were Jaden Marshall swam 43.92” in the 50m breaststroke beating Kurt Salapare by a small margin of 0.65” to win the event. Not to be outdone by his teammate, Kurt Salapare sprinted to 1:11.08 in the 100 freestyle, the fastest time for a BVI male swimmer in this event.

Khadijah Sampson continues her dominance as the Virgin Islands top 9 to 10 year old female swimmer by winning three of the four events she competed in.

Events and Results:

50m Free

100m Free

200m Free

50m Fly

100m Fly

50m Breast

100m Breast

50m Back
Jaden Marshall

32.26

40.87

43.92
Kurt Salapare

32.46

1:11.08

44.57

1:35.54
Khadijah Sampson

39.97

1:32.45

3:23.12

53.41
Kassia Nichols

34.19

42.87

1:44.44

44.43
Arianna Angus

1:27.02

38.35

 1:36.69

45.13
Filed Under: Swimming Tagged With: , , ,

Team BVI Challenged at Pan Pepin Regatta

February 8, 2017 by

By Royal BVI Yacht Club

Jerome Parkins finishing third in the Laser Radial Class in the 2017 Pan Pepin Regatta, Puerto Rico. Photo: Provided

Jerome Parkins finishing third in the Laser Radial Class in the 2017 Pan Pepin Regatta, Puerto Rico. Photo: Provided

Ten Team BVI sailors raced in the 2017 Pan Pepin Regatta hosted by Club Nautico San Juan this past weekend.

Over 90 boats competed in the regatta in the Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, 420, Sunfish, Optimist Green Fleet and Optimist Championship Fleet.

The BVI Team was represented in the Optimist Championship, Optimist Green and Laser Radial fleets and were joined by three additional sailors from the US, St. Croix and Curacao. Darius Berenos from Curacao sailed with Team BVI in the Laser 4.7 class along with Milo Miller and Zach Carvahal competing in the Optimist Championship Fleet from St. Croix and the US respectively.

Winds were medium to heavy with speeds from 13-20 knots and the San Juan harbor was challenging to track the wind shifts but everyone worked hard to master the conditions. Unfortunately for a number of the team, problems with gear failure forced them to sit out some races and count some painful letter scores.

Top BVI Sailors included Kael Chalwell placing sixth in the Optimist Green Fleet, Nathan Haycraft placing fifth in the Optimist Championship Fleet and Jerome Parkins finishing third in the Laser Radial Class.

Darius Berenos finished first in the Laser 4.7 class after a dramatic winner takes all final race in which he beat St. Thomas’ Mateo Di Blasi to win the tie break.

Results
Opti Championships (30)
5. Nathan Haycraft (1st blue fleet)
18. Ryan Lettsome (3rd white fleet)
29. Samuel Allen (7th white fleet)

Opti Green (24)
6. Kael Chalwell
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Behind the Scenes at Rio 2016 with Eldred Henry

August 17, 2016 by
Eldred Henry during training at Rio 2016. Photo: BIVOC

Eldred Henry during training at Rio 2016. Photo: BIVOC

It’s was a cold and drizzly day in Rio but the training must go on for 21-year old Eldred Henry, BVI’s first shot putter to go to the Olympics. His event takes place at the Olympic Stadium in the morning of Thursday, August 18 at 9.55am BST (8.55am EST).

Soaking up the experience of being at his first Olympic Games, Eldred has been training twice a day, every day since the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony on August 5.

The morning session is usually muscle work in the gym where the concentration is on power. The afternoons are committed to throwing.

Eldred gets on the bus departing for the Air Force Club from the Athletes’ Village. On this particular day, he’s in the company of some of the other throwers training under the watch of Eldred’s mentor, Tennessee coach, John Newell. The chat on the 30-minute journey is all about the field sport of throwing.

Once at the training base, Eldred exchanges his accreditation card for a couple of shot puts and makes his way to the ring with Nigerian thrower, Stephen Mozia, ranked third in the world.

Eldred Henry dusting with chalk prior to the throw at training at Rio 2016. Photo: BVIOC

Eldred Henry dusting with chalk prior to the throw at training at Rio 2016. Photo: BVIOC

“Most of the days I haven’t had any other throwers around so it’s actually quite good to observe them, especially if they are using a technique that my coach has been training me to use.”

Eldred’s coach, Omar Jones arrived into Rio a few days after Eldred during which time the 6’5” athlete maintained his training schedule with BVIAA Head Coach, Winston Potter.

“I have improved quite a lot since the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, primarily because I switched from gliding to rotating when I started training at Arizona Central College,” he explains. “While training here in Rio, I had been sending clips of my throws to Coach Omar so that he can review them and let me know where I need to focus. It’s good to have him here though because he can help me make any adjustments in real time and help me get into my rhythm.”

In the run up to competitions, Eldred prepares body and mind for peak performance. This includes cutting out sugars and sweet foods so as not to slow down his muscles and trying to adapt to a sleeping and waking pattern to suit his competition hours.

Eldred strapping up his wrist prior to a throw. Photo: BVIOC

Eldred strapping up his wrist prior to a throw. Photo: BVIOC

“Trying to get enough sleep has been a bit of a challenge for me because my timetable in the BVI is different, but I should be okay,” he says.

On his mind set for competition day, Eldred says that he learned a lot from Glasgow 2014, including what to expect once he enters the arena. “I need to stay level headed and calm. My Personal Best is a 20 meter throw which actually was a safety throw and my Season Best was 19.39 in Tucson in May this year so I feel that if I can stay relaxed and focused, I can get out there and try and do even better.”

Coach Omar Jones with Eldred Henry at Rio 2016. Photo: BVIOC

Coach Omar Jones with Eldred Henry at Rio 2016. Photo: BVIOC

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News Tagged With: , , ,
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