A seven-member Barbados triathlon squad demonstrated exceptional prowess at the prestigious Clermont Draft Legal Series in Florida last weekend, with young athlete Laila McIntyre securing dual victories in her category. The team’s performance proved particularly remarkable given that five competitors were experiencing the challenging course for the first time.
Dr. Garth McIntyre, President of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes, emphasized the developmental significance of the event. The youth contingent (13-15 years) featured Sebastian Clarke, Liam Beckles, and Elijah Telford, who finished in consistent order across both competition days. Clarke delivered standout performances with 12th and 11th place finishes, followed by Beckles at 17th and 13th, and Telford at 21st and 22nd respectively.
Fifteen-year-old Laila McIntyre continued her dominant streak at the event, capturing first place positions on both Saturday and Sunday. In the junior category, Alexis Lashley achieved an impressive 6th place finish among 82 starters, competing against seasoned athletes. The male junior division saw Luke McIntyre and Matthew Lashley place 16th and 44th respectively in a field of 74 competitors, with the latter returning from recent injury.
The federation president noted the strategic importance of exposing athletes to international competition environments. With the CARIFTA Triathlon Championships relocated to Bermuda in October due to hurricane-related venue changes in Jamaica, athletes are adjusting training schedules accordingly. The federation maintains focus on positive participation, injury prevention, and sustained athlete engagement through events like the USA Triathlon series races running from Easter through July.