The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

With the successful return of competition with the Potcakeman Championships in March, the Bahamas Triathlon Association (BTA) is eager to stage its National Championships next weekend in Jaws Beach.

The championships, which will serve as the final trials for CARIFTA and the Commonwealth Games, is scheduled for Sunday, May 15, with a sprint triathlon, consisting of a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride, and 5K run for competitors 16 years and older.

Dorian Roach, president of the BTA, said they’re looking forward to hosting the event.

“For the CARIFTA segment, we’re looking to have a strong team of between 20-30 competitors competing for the team that will represent us at CARIFTA in September in Bermuda,” Roach said.

“So we’re hoping for a strong field of competitors as well who will be competing for the team that will go to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. We have about 6-7 competitors who are eligible for the team.

“This is just the second event for us this year. We did have the Potcakeman Championships in March. It also served as a qualifier for CARIFTA. We have standards for persons who are in the process of qualifying. Depending on the outcome from the point system for the two events, we will then determine who qualifies for the CARIFTA team.”

The Potcakeman title was won by Simon Lowe, who is expected to be the top contender for the National Championships and a shot at making the Commonwealth Games team.

Roach said once the championship is completed, they will assess the performances and make a determination on who will be selected for the Commonwealth Games team.

“The Potcakeman went very well. I think a lot of people were really happy to be back,” Roach said.

“So I think the National Championships will be even bigger and better because those persons who were in shape for the Potcakeman will definitely be in better shape for this one to improve their times and positions.”

Already, there are over 50 competitors signed up to participate in the National Championships.

But, by race day, Roach said they anticipate the latter number to swell to over 100.

Based on their performances in the Potcakeman Championships, here’s a look at the leading contenders by points for selection to Team Bahamas for CARIFTA Triathlon:

Male 11-12 - Lauchlan Menzies (10 pts), Sibby Fynn Potter (9 pts), Jayden Smith (8 pts), Callum Pritchard (7 pts), Mirko Gervasini (6 pts).

Male 13-15 - Malcolm Menzies (10 pts), Ayden Bin (9 pts), Launy Duncombe (8 pts) and Enea Gervasini (7 pts).

Male 16-19 - Jason Cates (10 pts), Barron Musgrove (9 pts) and Jonathan Mindorff (8 pts).

Female 11-12 - Taylor Knowles (10 pts), Paityn Burrows (9 pts) and Noemie Ronveaux (8 pts).

Female 13-15 - Erin Pritchard (10 pts), Anjaleah Knowles (9 pts), Issa Bournas (8 pts), Millie Beukes (7 pts) and Taliyah Bowe (6 pts).

Female 16-19 - Sienna Culmer-Mackey (10 pts).