Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Shakedown Stages the first big test for Rally Barbados

    Shakedown Stages the first big test for Rally Barbados

    The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) is poised to launch its competitive season this Sunday with the highly anticipated Shakedown Stages, featuring nine challenging routes across the island’s northern region. This closed-road rally event serves as the critical preliminary test for both local and international crews ahead of the premier BCIC Rally Barbados championship.

    A formidable field of fifty-one vehicles will compete, led by top-seeded Jamaican driver Kyle Gregg in his Ford Fiesta Rally2. Gregg enters the competition with significant momentum, having secured victories in both last year’s BCIC RB25 and the BRC Winter Rally, achievements that earned him the 4WD Championship title. He now returns with a freshly redesigned livery on his championship-winning vehicle.

    The competition features a robust twelve-car FIA R5 class—the event’s largest category—which dominates the top starting positions. Notable contenders include two-time Rally Barbados champion Dane Skeete in his Subaru Impreza WRC S12, starting third behind Gregg and Josh Read (Fiesta Rally2). The field deepens with Adam Mallalieu debuting a brand-new Fiesta Rally2 at fourth position, while five-time event winner Jeff Panton of Jamaica starts fifth in another Fiesta Rally2.

    Adding to the drama, former Rally Club champion Stuart Maloney returns to home territory for the first time since his accident during BCIC RB25, starting sixth in his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. His brother Mark follows closely in seventh position in a newly acquired Fabia RS Rally2. The top ten is completed by British driver Rob Swann, island veteran Roger Hill (both in Fabia Rally2 evos), and David Husbands in his Volkswagen Polo GTi R5.

    The two-wheel drive category promises equally intense competition. SuperModified 2 front-runners Barry Mayers (Ford Fiesta) and reigning class champion Rhett Watson (BMW M3) lead the seeds at positions 12 and 14. They face formidable challenges from Suleman Esuf in his V8-engined BMW M1 and Logan Watson, who demonstrated impressive speed in his Ford Escort MkII during the recent Motoring Club Barbados Inc Spring Blaze 26 event.

    Significant off-season developments include Ahmed Esuf joining his brother in SM2 class with V8-powered BMW M3, Chris Hoad advancing to Modified 3 in Ian Warren’s former BMW 325, and Jermin Pope upgrading to a newer generation Honda Civic previously driven by Geoff Noel.

    The competition will unfold across two northern venues with the Service Park established at Conrad Hunte Cricket Ground in St Andrew. The morning segment features three runs from Lamberts to Pickering (3.50km) alternating with two stages from Swanns to Rock Hall (3.10km). Following the 2:15 p.m. restart, drivers will tackle reversed Pickering stages and two additional Rock Hall runs in the same direction. Organizers anticipate concluding the event approximately at 5:30 p.m., with prize ceremonies scheduled within the hour.

  • Rising Stars Under-15 tournament bowls off under new format

    Rising Stars Under-15 tournament bowls off under new format

    Cricket West Indies has inaugurated a reimagined format for its 2026 Rising Stars Under-15 Championship, marking a strategic shift in youth development approach. Instead of the traditional tournament structure, three simultaneous bilateral series will unfold across Guyana, Antigua, and Jamaica, featuring five matches each.

    Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, emphasized the organization’s commitment to balancing talent identification with financial sustainability. “This tournament represents a crucial investment in our regional development pathway,” Bascombe stated. “At the Under-15 level, our primary objective is talent discovery and providing optimal platforms for young athletes to demonstrate their capabilities.”

    The redesigned competition framework prioritizes expanded participation opportunities, enhanced player assessment quality, and comprehensive identification processes. Notably, the tournament will not crown an overall champion, redirecting focus from competitive outcomes to individual player development and long-term potential evaluation.

    This initiative forms part of CWI’s broader structural review of regional competitions for the 2026-2027 period, addressing both performance enhancement and financial challenges. The developmental atmosphere will be enriched by the involvement of former international cricketers and seasoned coaches, including Stuart Williams, Robert Samuels, Sheldon Cottrell, Roderick Estwick, and Dalton Polius, who will provide expert mentorship throughout the series.

    National squads have been announced, with Barbados fielding promising talents including Javion Batson, Michael Bend, and Micaiah Brathwaite among their fourteen-member roster. The tournament’s implementation reflects CWI’s strategic emphasis on building robust foundations for West Indies cricket’s future success.

  • Cawmere, SMS repeat as BSSAC champs

    Cawmere, SMS repeat as BSSAC champs

    The 2026 Dasanai BSSAC Championships concluded in spectacular fashion at the Usain Bolt Complex on Friday, cementing dynastic victories for two of Barbados’s premier athletic institutions. Combermere School achieved a historic three-peat by securing the boys’ title for the third consecutive year, while The St Michael School successfully defended their crown in the girls’ division, showcasing unparalleled consistency and competitive determination throughout the event.

    Final standings in the girls’ competition saw The St Michael School dominate with an impressive 213-point total, finishing well ahead of rivals Harrison College (183 points) and Combermere (142.5 points). Queen’s College claimed fourth position with 117 points, followed by Springer Memorial (113), Christ Church Foundation School (85), The Lodge School (69), Alleyne (67), Coleridge and Parry (66), and Alexandra completing the top ten with 63 points.

    St Michael School head coach Gabriel Burnett expressed elation following the victory, acknowledging initial challenges that required strategic intervention. ‘Our girls started out shaky yesterday morning,’ Burnett revealed to Barbados TODAY. ‘We conducted three team meetings to address nerves particularly affecting our junior competitors. After refining our focus, the team emerged on day two firing on all cylinders, executing exactly according to plan.’

    The triumph has already inspired ambitions for continued dominance, with Burnett noting, ‘With our strength residing in the Under-13 and Under-15 divisions, we anticipate maintaining this excellence moving forward.’ The coach additionally highlighted the crucial support of long-term sponsor Pedialyte Sport, which has backed the program since 2014.

    On the boys’ side, Combermere’s commanding performance yielded 198.5 points to secure their third straight championship. Harrison College captured second place with 157 points, while The St Michael School rounded out the podium with 144 points. The Lodge School (126.5) and St Leonard’s Boys (108.5) completed the top five placements.

    Combermere coach Jarad Murray described the victory as a historic achievement, emphasizing his team’s recognition of the moment’s significance. ‘The boys understood this was an opportunity to join an elite group of schools achieving a three-peat,’ Murray stated. He identified the penultimate day’s performances as the decisive turning point, noting how athletes qualifying in lower positions remarkably elevated their performances in finals.

    Individual excellence shone through as Harrison College’s Hailey Merritt claimed the Victrix Ludorum title, demonstrating remarkable versatility with victories in High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump complemented by a third-place finish in the 100m hurdles. Meanwhile, St Leonard’s Boys’ Alex Jones-Ifill emerged as a sensational new talent, achieving a perfect 40-point sweep to secure the Victor Ludorum title through dominant victories in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and Long Jump events.

  • Hall slams Tridents’ performance in loss to Saint Martin

    Hall slams Tridents’ performance in loss to Saint Martin

    Barbados’ national football team suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Saint Martin in a Concacaf friendly international held at Antonio Trinidad Stadium in Bonaire on Thursday, prompting strong criticism from head coach Kent Hall.

    The match remained scoreless throughout the first half before undergoing a dramatic transformation in the 56th minute. Saint Martin’s Jean-Baptiste Leo delivered a remarkable two-goal performance within a single minute, fundamentally altering the game’s dynamics. Barbados managed to respond with a consolation goal from Jaron Oughterson in the 85th minute, but any potential comeback hopes were dashed when the team conceded an unfortunate own goal merely three minutes later.

    Coach Hall expressed profound dissatisfaction with his squad’s performance, particularly highlighting their first-half display as the worst since his tenure began. ‘We appeared as disconnected individuals rather than a cohesive unit today,’ Hall stated. ‘This level of disorganization is simply unacceptable at international competition standards.’

    The coach acknowledged the inherent challenges of assembling players from various global leagues, noting the difficulties in achieving synchronization. Hall drew parallels between this performance and previous struggles against Aruba, emphasizing the team’s failure to recover from a problematic start.

    Looking ahead to Sunday’s match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Hall faces additional challenges with the absence of key player Thierry Gale, who returns to his professional club Bolton Wanderers for their critical promotion campaign. Despite this setback, Hall emphasized the necessity for improved performance and greater cohesion from the remaining squad members, expressing concern that the team has regressed since their previous Nations League campaign.

  • Wonder Woman Challenge Marks 10 Years of Grit and Competition

    Wonder Woman Challenge Marks 10 Years of Grit and Competition

    BELIZE CITY – The Tenth Annual Wonder Woman Challenge concluded today after three days of intense competition among Belize’s elite female military and law enforcement personnel. The Belize Defense Force emerged victorious in this milestone anniversary event, reclaiming the championship title in what organizers described as the most fiercely contested edition to date.

    The grueling triathlon-style competition, hosted at the Coast Guard headquarters, tested participants’ physical endurance and mental fortitude through a series of extreme challenges. Day one featured the Coast Guard Physical Fitness Test, combining a one-mile ocean swim with a two-mile run. Competitors faced additional adversity on day two as heavy rainfall accompanied a punishing six-mile run followed by tactical obstacle courses in the Coast Guard Medley.

    The final day presented the sunrise march and shoot exercise, evaluating precision and stamina, culminating in the notoriously demanding Coast Guard Crucible. Lance Corporal Suliany Paquiul of the victorious Belize Defense Force unit expressed confidence throughout the competition, stating, ‘What was meant for BDF is meant for BDF. It was a walk in the park for us.’

    Vice Commandant Alma Pinelo of the Belize Coast Guard noted the continuously elevating standards among participants: ‘The energy is really high. Everybody wants to win.’ The sentiment was echoed by Ensign Zarina Francisco, who acknowledged the competitive atmosphere while maintaining confidence in her team’s capabilities.

    The event, now in its tenth year, simulates real-world operational demands faced by women in Belize’s security forces. PC Estephanie Cuc of the Police Department shared an emotional account of persevering through personal tragedy, dedicating her performance to her recently deceased mother.

    Organizers emphasize that the challenge highlights the growing opportunities for women in security careers, requiring strength ‘mentally, physically and spiritually’ according to Pinelo. The decade-long tradition continues to showcase the leadership qualities and indomitable spirit of Belize’s women in uniform.

  • Local swimmers dive into Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim

    Local swimmers dive into Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim

    Six elite open water swimmers from Bermuda are poised to conquer the challenging Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim, marking a significant international sporting endeavor for the island nation. The team comprising Lesley-Jane Smith, Harold Kahler, Handsome Williams, Tobias Ahlqvist, Craig Munden, and Scott Oliver will undertake the demanding 4.1-kilometer crossing on March 28, 2026.

    The aquatic journey commences at Oualie Beach in Nevis and concludes at Cockleshell Bay in St Kitts, presenting unique marine conditions distinct from Bermuda’s familiar waters. The participants bring diverse athletic backgrounds to this prestigious Caribbean event, with several having distinguished themselves in local competitions including Round the Sound and Devil’s Mile challenges.

    Lesley-Jane Smith, an accomplished triathlete, expressed particular enthusiasm for focusing exclusively on the swimming discipline. ‘Growing up as a competitive swimmer in Bermuda, this race feels especially exciting,’ Smith noted. ‘I’m looking forward to the opportunity to swim in a new setting and experience the unique challenge of crossing from Nevis to St Kitts.’

    Handsome Williams emphasized the honor of representing Bermuda internationally in a sport deeply ingrained in the island’s culture. ‘I’m truly grateful for the chance to take on this amazing experience with friends,’ Williams stated. ‘Having grown up in the water back home, swimming has given me so much.’

    Two-time national champion Craig Munden approaches the competition with measured optimism regarding his prospects. ‘Based on last year’s result I would say I have good chances, but it always depends on who turns up,’ Munden commented, referencing the 478 competitors from the UK, United States, and Caribbean regions who participated in the previous edition.

    The Bermudian athletes anticipate navigating unfamiliar racing conditions including potential strong currents and larger waves than typically encountered in local events. The competition gains additional prestige with the participation of Alice Dearing, Great Britain’s first Black Olympic open water swimmer, whom Munden has previously trained alongside.

    This international representation follows recent athletic achievements within Bermuda’s swimming community, including Madelyn Moore’s balancing of frontline work with elite competition and the recognition of Caitlyn Bobb and Sebastian Kempe as Athletes of the Year.

  • Isidore earns Jamaica Champs decathlon bronze

    Isidore earns Jamaica Champs decathlon bronze

    Jamaica’s prestigious ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships witnessed another remarkable achievement for Saint Lucia as 17-year-old decathlete Deandre Isidore captured the bronze medal in the open boys’ decathlon on Thursday, March 26. Competing under the Jamaica College banner, Isidore demonstrated exceptional athletic prowess across ten demanding events, accumulating an impressive total of 5,520 points.

    The two-day competition showcased Isidore’s versatile capabilities. During Wednesday’s opening events, he posted impressive results including an 11.22-second 100m sprint, a 5.82m long jump, a 10.20m shot put throw, a 1.63m high jump clearance, and a standout 50.48-second 400m performance that ranked as the fastest time in the field.

    Thursday’s events further highlighted his athletic diversity: a 15.78-second 110m hurdles, a 22.64m discus throw, a 2.92m pole vault, a powerful 44.82m javelin throw (ranking second in the event), and a 5:19.84 1500m finish. His performance surpassed his compatriot Khailan Vitalis, the 2022 gold medalist, in three specific events: shot put, javelin, and 1500m.

    The championship title was claimed by Grenadian athlete Jurel Clement from Kingston College with 6,837 points, while Jaquan Souden of Happy Grove High School secured silver with 6,696 points in the 21-athlete competition.

    Isidore’s achievement marks Saint Lucia’s second medal at the championships, building upon Vitalis’s historic gold medal performance in 2022. With his current trajectory, Isidore shows potential to challenge Vitalis’s national junior record of 5,990 points in future competitions.

  • #Champs2026: Hydel’s Fletcher turns the tables on Edwin Allen’s Carr

    #Champs2026: Hydel’s Fletcher turns the tables on Edwin Allen’s Carr

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a spectacular display of athletic prowess, Hydel High School’s Nastassia Fletcher seized victory in the girls’ open 400m hurdles during the penultimate day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. Held at the National Stadium on Friday, the event witnessed Fletcher not only claim the title but also set a new world under-20 leading time and a personal best of 56.70 seconds.

    This triumphant performance served as a decisive act of redemption against Edwin Allen’s Kelly-Ann Carr, the defending champion. Their rivalry intensified just a day prior when Carr had outperformed Fletcher in the Class 1 400m event. Furthermore, Carr had secured the 400m hurdles gold medal in the previous year’s championships, adding significant weight to Fletcher’s victory.

    Fletcher’s remarkable time shattered her previous personal record of 57.92 seconds, which was established in March 2025. This achievement also propelled her to the top of the global youth rankings, displacing South Africa’s Tumi Ramokgopa from the world lead.

    Despite her defeat, Carr delivered an exceptional performance, clocking in at 56.84 seconds. This time surpassed her own previous best of 57.02 seconds and currently stands as the second-fastest time in the world for the year. Completing the podium was another Hydel High athlete, Alliyah Mullings, who secured third place with a significant personal best of 59.25 seconds, a substantial improvement from her prior record of 1:01.36.

  • #Champs2026: Edwin Allen’s Fowler and Clarendon’ College’s Hall complete 800/1500m doubles

    #Champs2026: Edwin Allen’s Fowler and Clarendon’ College’s Hall complete 800/1500m doubles

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Stadium witnessed extraordinary displays of middle-distance prowess on Saturday as two Jamaican high school athletes achieved spectacular doubles on the concluding day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships.

    Edwin Allen High’s Kevongaye Fowler, improving dramatically from her third-place finish last year, captured the girls’ Class 2 800m title with a commanding performance. Clocking 2:09.96, Fowler dethroned defending champion Alikay Reynolds of Alphansus Davis High, who secured silver with 2:11.49. Dallia Fairweather of Hydel High completed the podium with a bronze medal time of 2:12.51.

    In the girls’ Class 3 division, Clarendon College’s Alexjordan Hall delivered a masterclass in tactical racing to claim gold. Her winning time of 2:14.92 established a significant margin over silver medalist Kamoya Graham of Sydney Pagon High (2:17.94), while Holmwood Technical’s Felicia Compass earned bronze with 2:18.47.

    The Class 1 event produced another standout performance as Immaculate Conception High’s Davine Dickenson transformed her fourth-place finish from the previous year into a golden triumph. Dickenson achieved a personal best of 2:10.21 to claim victory ahead of Hydel High’s Rihanna Morgan (2:11.30) and Edwin Allen’s Horecia Love (2:11.53).

    The championships solidified these young athletes’ status as emerging talents in Jamaican track and field, demonstrating the continued strength of the island’s developmental athletics program.

  • #Champs2026: Excelsior’s Campbell breaks boys’ Class 2 400m hurdles record

    #Champs2026: Excelsior’s Campbell breaks boys’ Class 2 400m hurdles record

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – A new standard for high school hurdling was established Friday at the National Stadium as Excelsior High’s Jaeden Campbell delivered a breathtaking performance at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. The young athlete blazed across the finish line in the boys Class 2 400m hurdles with an extraordinary time of 50.87 seconds, setting both a new meet record and a personal best.