Bridgetown – The Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) has announced the details of the upcoming inaugural CARIFTA Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Relay Championships at a press conference today at BOA Headquarters in Wildey, St. Michael.
The event, a first of its kind in Barbados, will be held at the Barbados Aquatic Centre and Gymnasium Complex between 7–8 October and is being heralded as vital to the development of the sport both locally and regionally.
In his address to the media, BFIT President Darren Treasure explained the CARIFTA event provides young triathletes the much needed opportunity to professionally compete at a regional level. “This inaugural CARIFTA event is extremely significant to the sport of triathlon in that it provides a platform for our juniors to improve their international competitiveness and skill sets. It is hoped that it will give them the confidence to strive to make it to world-class competitions like the Youth Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympic Games, CAC Games, and Pan Am Games. Spectators will also enjoy the event, so I encourage all Bajans to come out this weekend and support the athletes as well the sport of triathlon,” he said.
Treasure provided course information for the 2017 CARIFTA triathlon, aquathlon and mixed relay formats, which he says will see approximately 100 triathletes from 9 different countries competing. He added that all distances are dependent on the age groupings of 11-12, 13-15 and 16-19 years.
It’s set to be a big couple of weeks for the sport of triathlon on the island, with Treasure also revealing the 27th Barbados National Triathlon will be taking place next weekend on Sunday 15 October. Incorporating sprint, Olympic and sprint relay categories, this event will also welcome international competitors to Brandon’s Beach to take part in the much anticipated annual event.
Barbados was unanimously decided as the host nation for the 2017 CARIFTA Championships by 11 Caribbean Triathlon Federations. CARIFTA triathletes will arrive in Barbados between 4-5 October, with the official Opening Ceremony being held on Friday 6 October at 6pm at the Aquatic Centre in Wildey. Competition then commences at 6am Saturday 7 October. BFIT is the governing federation for triathlon and triathletes in Barbados, sanctioning and organising various multi-sport events related to the discipline.
For more information about 2017 CARIFTA, visit http://www.triathlonbarbados.com/carifta-2017/, like the Facebook page CARIFTA Triathlon & Aquathlon, or email triathlonbarbados@gmail.com .
