Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • CARPHA says hantavirus risk low in Caribbean

    CARPHA says hantavirus risk low in Caribbean

    A fatal hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing through the Central Atlantic has triggered regional public health warnings, though top Caribbean health officials stress the overall infection risk for the area remains low.

    As of the May 8 update, nine suspected cases have been documented on board the MV Hondius, resulting in three deaths. Five of those cases have been definitively confirmed as hantavirus, specifically the Andes strain – an uncommon variant that can spread between humans through close, extended close contact, a trait not shared by many other hantavirus types.

    Hantaviruses are naturally hosted by rodent populations, with most human infections occurring when people come into contact with rodent urine, fecal matter, or saliva that carries the virus. The outbreak was formally reported to the World Health Organization via the United Kingdom’s International Health Regulations focal point, which then triggered coordination with regional Caribbean health bodies.

    Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), reiterated that the current threat of widespread hantavirus transmission across the Caribbean is minimal. Indar explained that in the Americas, hantaviruses are predominantly spread by wild field rodents, rather than common urban rat populations that are more frequently found in populated Caribbean coastal and port areas, where transmission to humans is far less likely.

    Even with the low current risk, CARPHA is emphasizing the need for ongoing readiness, given the Caribbean’s position as the world’s busiest cruise tourism hub. The region welcomes roughly 44% of all global cruise ship traffic, with projected passenger arrivals set to hit 16.3 million by 2025, making continuous port and vessel surveillance a critical public health priority. The agency is urging all member states to review and reinforce existing vessel monitoring protocols and public health response plans, especially at major entry ports.

    To support these efforts, CARPHA says it will continue to back safe tourism operations across the region through its established regional surveillance infrastructure. Two key systems in this network are the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS) and the Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System (CVSS), both purpose-built to track and flag public health threats tied to tourism and maritime travel.

    Preliminary performance data for the CVSS shows it has already delivered strong results: the system has successfully flagged suspected infection cases before ships dock at Caribbean ports, with over 96% of cruise ship public health alerts shared with relevant member states within a 24-hour window. That rapid sharing allows port officials to prepare appropriate responses before a vessel arrives, reducing the risk of spread on land.

    CARPHA confirmed it will maintain ongoing monitoring of the MV Hondius outbreak in close partnership with regional and global public health partners, and will issue new updates to member states and the public as new information becomes available.

  • Sharks swimmers top LA Relay Carnival

    Sharks swimmers top LA Relay Carnival

    On May 3, the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre in Gros Islet played host to the highly anticipated fifth annual Lightning Aquatics Relay Carnival, where six competitive local swim clubs gathered to battle for the top title. After a full day of intense, fast-paced races across multiple age divisions, it was Sharks Swim Club that emerged as the overall tournament champions, outperforming a strong field of competitors to claim the crown.

    In the final team standings, Sharks, sporting their signature red team uniforms, secured first place with a cumulative total of 787 points. Runner-up honors went to Sea Jays, who finished just 67 points behind with 720 total points, a impressive performance anchored by several standout CARIFTA medallists. Third place went to RR Aquatic, who racked up 450 points to round out the top three, while event hosts Lightning Aquatics took fourth position with 326 points. When broken down by gender division, Sharks’ female athletes delivered a dominant showing, scoring 447 points – nearly 200 points ahead of the second-place Sea Jays girls’ squad. On the men’s side, Sea Jays claimed the division lead, posting 472 points, a margin of just over 130 points ahead of Sharks’ boys team.

    Competition across age divisions brought no shortage of breakout performances and unexpected upsets. In the Under-11 girls’ bracket, a team of Zoe Fortune, Kayla Rose Richard, Cristi-Anna Brown and Dominique Destang took home three out of four possible gold medals in 100m relay events, clinching top spots in freestyle, butterfly, and medley. For the oldest division, open to swimmers 15 and older, Olympic-qualified swimmer Mikaili Charlemagne teamed up with Mya Prospere, Cayla Benjamin and Isabella McLean to secure wins in both the 200m freestyle and 200m medley relays, showcasing the elite level of talent at the event.

    For the 11-14 age group, CARIFTA medallists Sapphire Parks and Maya Andrew joined forces with Jasmine Vigier, Khiara Hippolyte and Kai Chung to pull off a rare clean sweep, winning all four relay events on the schedule: 200m freestyle, breaststroke, medley, and butterfly. Parks added to her medal haul by also taking home three individual gold medals, solidifying her status as one of the event’s most impressive competitors.

    Sea Jays’ male swimmers turned in a standout performance across every age division, pushing Sharks to the final wire for the overall title. In the Under-11 boys’ division, the foursome of Miles Andrew, Tiago Nelson, Zev Steele and Tristan Charlemagne swept all four relay events, winning freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and medley. Andrew matched Parks’ individual success, claiming five gold medals in individual races. In the 11-14 boys’ bracket, CARIFTA medallist Tyler Dantes paired with Nathan Lewis and Alec Alfred to take gold in three relay events: 200m breaststroke, butterfly, and medley. Dantes also matched Andrew’s five individual gold medals, while Caden Calderon and Henri-Christian Theobalds delivered a critical win for Sharks in the 11-14 200m freestyle relay.

    In the 15-and-over boys’ division, Noah Dorville, Malik Peter, and Shemar James led Sea Jays to first-place finishes in the 200m freestyle, breaststroke, and medley relays. The only boys’ relay win for Lightning Aquatics in this division came in the 200m butterfly, where Ethan Hazell, Aaron Charles, Khalil Maraj and Jayce Daniel crossed the finish line first to claim gold.

    Beyond the team titles and individual medals, the carnival also made history with two new national age-group short-course records, both set by standout Sea Jays athletes. Sapphire Parks shaved nearly a third of a second off her own previous 11-12 girls 100m freestyle record, dropping her time from 1:02.25 to a new mark of 1:01.95. Tyler Dantes followed up his five individual gold medals by breaking a 2019 record held by Tristan Dorville in the 11-12 boys 50m backstroke, finishing the race in 29.90 seconds to beat the old record of 30.73 seconds.

  • OnlyFans tracker estimates Saint Lucians spent $450,000 on platform in 2025

    OnlyFans tracker estimates Saint Lucians spent $450,000 on platform in 2025

    A new annual report from independent adult content platform tracker OnlyGuider has revealed shifting consumer habits in the Caribbean, with growing demand for paid digital adult content reflected in rising subscription spending across the region, including a steady year-over-year increase in Saint Lucia.

    The *OnlyFans Wrapped 2025* report, which analyzes spending patterns through data collected from OnlyFans affiliate networks, estimates that users in Saint Lucia spent approximately $166,000 USD, equal to just over EC$450,000, on the platform in 2024. OnlyGuider categorizes Saint Lucia alongside all other North and South American and Caribbean territories in its Americas regional ranking.

    When adjusted for population size, Saint Lucia lands in the middle of regional and Caribbean rankings. It placed 20th out of all measured countries and territories in the Americas on per 10,000 people spending, with an estimated $9,224 USD per 10,000 residents. Among 14 ranked Caribbean nations, the island held the 8th position, putting it firmly in the mid-range of regional per capita spending.

    Barbados took the top spot for per capita spending in the region, recording an estimated $20,082.95 USD per 10,000 people for a total annual spend of roughly $560,000 USD. Saint Kitts and Nevis followed closely behind with a per 10,000 person spending figure of $19,390.44 USD. Antigua and Barbuda ranked third among the region’s highest per capita spenders at $14,246.03 USD, with Trinidad and Tobago just a short distance away at $11,218.75 USD per 10,000 people.

    While per capita rankings point to small island nations leading in per-person spending, Jamaica far outpaced all other English-speaking Caribbean countries in total annual spending, with an estimated total spend of $2.9 million USD on the platform.

    The report also highlights a dramatic acceleration of demand in several smaller Caribbean states. Dominica recorded the steepest year-over-year growth in total spending, with an increase of more than 254% compared to 2023. Grenada followed with a 194% annual jump in spending, while Saint Lucia saw a more modest but still steady 7.31% year-over-year rise. These double- and triple-digit growth figures point to a rapidly expanding consumer base for paid digital adult content across smaller island economies in the region.

    OnlyGuider, which operates as a dedicated search engine tracking activity across adult content platforms, emphasizes that the published estimates should be interpreted with caution. The figures are not official audited revenue data from OnlyFans itself, and are instead derived from aggregated data collected through the platform’s affiliate network systems.

  • SLFA launches U14 boys tournament

    SLFA launches U14 boys tournament

    Youth football development in Saint Lucia has taken a major step forward this week, as the Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. (SLFA) formally kicked off its new Under-14 Boys Tournament, a competition designed to unearth local talent and build a competitive national squad for the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 Boys Challenge.

    The official launch event was held Tuesday at SLFA headquarters in La Clery, Castries, with play set to get underway on May 17 across two dedicated match venues. In total, more than 200 young male players from across the island will take part in the tournament, with all 19 of SLFA’s affiliate leagues confirming their participation. Over 130 total matches are scheduled throughout the competition, which will operate under a zonal round-robin structure for the group stage: 10 teams from the northern part of the island will compete at the Corinth Playing Field, while nine southern-based squads will play their matches at the Philip Marcellin Grounds.

    SLFA president Lyndon Cooper used the launch to frame the new tournament as a key pillar of the association’s long-term youth development strategy for both male and female players across all age groups. Currently, the association is already hosting an active Under-12 Boys competition, and the addition of the Under-14 tournament creates a structured, continuous development pathway for emerging young talent. “This isn’t just a one-off competition,” Cooper explained. “Our core goal is to identify standout players, transition graduates from the Under-12 division into the older age group, and build a deep talent pool that we can select our national Under-14 squad from.”

    Cooper went on to note that the 2026 CFU Under-14 Challenge, which will be hosted by the Guyana Football Federation this coming July, represents a transformative opportunity for participating players and coaching staff alike to gain valuable international experience. Beyond the 2026 regional tournament, the SLFA has already mapped out development plans for future age-group competitions, with preparations underway for an Under-15 regional event in 2027 and an Under-17 tournament in 2028. To ensure sustained improvement in youth player performance, Cooper announced a new certification requirement that will take effect in 2027: all coaches leading Under-14, Under-17, and Under-20 teams will be required to hold an official SLFA coaching certification, a rule designed to lift overall coaching standards across the island.

    Two former national players, well-known Saint Lucia football figures Earl “Ball Hog” Jean and Stuart Charles-Fevrier, were in attendance at the launch, and have been tapped to serve as scouts for the national Under-14 squad, assessing player performance throughout the domestic tournament. The competition also secured backing from two key local corporate sponsors: ATV Experience, represented at the event by Jamal Cyril, and Baywalk Shopping Mall, represented by Tracy Ernest Eugene.

    Cyril commended the SLFA for its consistent investment in grassroots youth football, noting that structured domestic competition is the first critical step for young players aiming to build professional careers in the sport. Currently, the 2026 iteration of the SLFA Under-12 Boys Tournament is ongoing at the SLFA Technical Centre in Grande Riviere, Dennery, where defending champions Mabouya Valley are chasing a third consecutive consecutive final appearance. “Football is the world’s biggest sport, and it can open doors to lifelong careers for young people,” Cyril said. “This tournament gives them that first chance to showcase their potential.”

    Eugene addressed a common misconception about corporate support for local sports in Saint Lucia, noting that private sector partners are eager to back initiatives that deliver measurable development and progress. “Many people say corporate Saint Lucia doesn’t want to support sports, but that’s not the case,” she explained. “We just want to see consistent growth and tangible results. As the SLFA continues to deliver that development, we will continue to see more support from businesses across the island.” She added that future progress in youth football development will unlock additional financial backing from sponsors including Baywalk Shopping Mall and ATV Experience.

  • Elite Blazers capture third place at Caribbean clash 3×3 Lite Quest

    Elite Blazers capture third place at Caribbean clash 3×3 Lite Quest

    Last weekend, Saint Lucia’s rising basketball program Elite Blazers turned heads across the Caribbean regional basketball circuit, securing a hard-earned third-place finish at the 2026 Caribbean Clash 3×3 Lite Quest hosted in Paramaribo, Suriname. This standout podium result marks a key milestone for the club as it continues to build its reputation among top Caribbean basketball outfits.

    Composed of core players Troy Louison, Andre Louison, Sharmoir JnBaptiste and Desir Joseph, the Elite Blazers delivered a cohesive, high-energy performance against a stacked field of the region’s most talented 3×3 squads. Every member of the four-player roster stepped up to contribute critical points and defensive effort throughout the tournament, laying the foundation for their successful run to the podium.

    Leading the team’s offensive charge was guard Andre Louison, who finished the competition as the squad’s top scorer with a total of 37 points. His sharp shooting from all over the court translated to 11 one-point baskets, 11 successful two-point shots from beyond the 3×3 arc, and four converted free throws. Anchoring the team’s consistent offense alongside his teammate was Troy Louison, who put up an impressive 29 points across all matches, made up of 15 one-pointers, five two-pointers and four free throws, providing reliable scoring in every round of the tournament.

    Forward Desir Joseph added 18 key points to the team’s total, while wing Sharmoir JnBaptiste chipped in 11 points of his own, rounding out a well-balanced scoring attack that kept the Blazers competitive in every matchup. This all-around, determined effort from every roster spot was the driving force behind the club’s historic podium finish.

    Beyond the final result, the third-place placement underscores the Elite Blazers’ steady growth and unwavering commitment to building a high-performance basketball program for Saint Lucia. Their strong showing on the Suriname court makes clear the organization’s ambition to continuously raise its competitive standards, while flying the flag for Saint Lucia as an emerging force in Caribbean regional 3×3 basketball.

  • From local acts to Ada Ehi and Tye Tribbett, Kingdom Night delivered

    From local acts to Ada Ehi and Tye Tribbett, Kingdom Night delivered

    Against the backdrop of the iconic Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, a one-of-a-kind worship-focused experience is solidifying its unique standing as a fan-favorite staple: Kingdom Night. Unlike the festival’s mainstage spectacle at Pigeon Island, where audiences typically leave their seats behind as darkness falls, the 2026 iteration of Kingdom Night offered something entirely different — a quiet, intentional space for reflection and connection amid the island’s busy celebration of art and sound.

    From the opening chords to the final encore, many attendees chose to remain seated throughout the entire experience. In most large festival concerts, this static crowd dynamic might signal a disconnect between performers and their audience. But at Kingdom Night, it carried the opposite meaning: a deep, engaged absorption in every lyric, every message, and every note. As artists wove together musical performances and spoken preaching, audience members hummed along, softly echoed refrains back to the stage, lifted their hands in devotion, and tilted or bowed their heads in quiet reflection. What unfolded was not a raucous mainstage party, but an intimate, deeply personal concert experience that resonated with everyone in attendance.

    The evening opened with a stacked lineup of local and emerging Christian artists, including the James Sisters, Dr. Selma St. Prix, ShirleyAnn Cyril-Mayers, Nigela St. Clair-Daniel, Steffi-Ann St Clair, and Dwayne Brown, backed by a team of talented supporting vocalists. Their sets leaned into the rich, chorus-centered worship music familiar to Christian communities across the globe, and the uplifting melodies reverberated across the open park. The performance drew a warm, enthusiastic reception from a cross-generational crowd that included men, women, and children of all backgrounds.

    One of the night’s most energetic standout moments came from Arnold AJ Jules, who brought an infectious, electrifying spark to the stage with his signature fiery style of gospel rap. His high-octane set whipped the crowd into engaged excitement, turning the energy of the venue up several notches ahead of the night’s headliners.

    When celebrated gospel star Ada Ehi stepped into the spotlight, the atmosphere of the venue shifted once again. Drawing from her deep catalogue of beloved praise and worship hits, Ehi crafted a fully immersive experience that pulled even the most reserved attendees to their feet. Fans danced, jumped, and sang along to every word, bridging the gap between stage and audience in a shared celebration of faith and music.

    Closing out the night in dynamic, commanding fashion was headliner Tye Tribbett. Bursting with unbridled energy from his first entrance, Tribbett’s set masterfully blended rapid dance movement, exuberant worship, and heartfelt preaching. Like every performer before him that evening, he moved seamlessly across varying musical moods, catering to the wide range of preferences among the diverse crowd. From fast, high-energy praise anthems to the moving, reverent classic “Yeshua” — which hush the entire venue into a soft, unified singalong that hung in the night air — Tribbett delivered a performance that gave Kingdom Night 2026 a truly unforgettable closing.

  • Saint Lucian groups invited to access funding for anti-plastic projects

    Saint Lucian groups invited to access funding for anti-plastic projects

    Across five Eastern Caribbean island nations, local groups now have access to dedicated financial support to turn their plastic waste reduction visions into tangible action, launching a new community-centered effort to address one of the region’s most pressing ecological threats.

    The Sustainable Small Grants Programme (SSGP) was developed as a core component of the broader “Closing the Caribbean Plastic Tap” initiative, designed from the ground up to elevate locally led solutions to systemic plastic pollution. Unlike top-down environmental interventions, the programme centers the expertise of groups that already work closely with local populations, prioritizing practical, scalable projects that deliver both ecological and economic benefits.

    Eligible participants span a wide range of local stakeholders across Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Eligible entities include micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, community-based organizations, registered non-profits, worker cooperatives, primary and secondary schools, local community associations, and even informal grassroots groups that can show a proven track record of meaningful community engagement. The programme’s core mandate is to support on-the-ground interventions that cut down on the volume of plastic leaking into the Caribbean’s oceans, forests, and coastal ecosystems.

    A diverse array of project types are eligible for funding, ranging from hyper-local initiatives to growing small enterprises. Groups can apply for support to launch or expand community-wide curbside recycling programs, organized plastic waste collection drives targeted at high-leakage coastal areas, community-based refill stations and reusable container sharing systems, adoption of compostable packaging alternatives for local businesses, upcycling workshops that turn waste plastic into new goods, school-led education and waste reduction campaigns, and small manufacturing ventures that convert post-consumer plastic into usable construction or consumer products.

    Beyond environmental gains, the SSGP also has a clear economic focus: it prioritizes projects that generate formal employment and new income streams for local residents while addressing gaps in regional waste management infrastructure. Allocating a total of up to 80,000 euros (equivalent to roughly 254,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars) per participating country, individual awards range from 30,000 euros to 80,000 euros, allowing both emerging initiatives and established projects to scale their impact.

    Organizers emphasize that all successful grant recipients will be required to track and report measurable environmental outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability for public environmental funding. Applications for the programme are currently open, with the submission deadline set for 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time on May 31, 2026. Full eligibility guidelines, application forms, and additional programme details are available to interested groups on the official IUCN Engage platform.

  • Bicar charged in fatal Micoud stabbing

    Bicar charged in fatal Micoud stabbing

    A fatal street violence incident in the Saint Lucian district of Micoud has led to formal murder charges against a local man, following a week-long investigative process that concluded early this month. Thirty-five-year-old Jeremy Bicar stands accused of the killing of 44-year-old Lensley Samuel, who died moments after a violent altercation on Duke Street in Micoud on April 30.

    Law enforcement officials confirmed that Bicar was taken into police custody on the same day the stabbing occurred, and he remained in detention as investigators worked to piece together the full circumstances of the deadly encounter. On May 5, one week after the incident, a full post-mortem examination was carried out by forensic officials. The examination’s findings left no room for ambiguity: Samuel’s death was directly caused by multiple penetrating stab wounds to the chest.

    Hours after the post-mortem results were finalized, law enforcement upgraded Bicar’s initial holding to a formal murder charge. He made his first public court appearance at the Second District Court on Wednesday following the charge filing, where a judge ordered him to be remanded into custody at the Bordelais Correctional Facility to await his upcoming trial. No additional details about the motive for the stabbing or the prior relationship between Bicar and Samuel have been released by police as the investigation remains ongoing.

  • Saint Lucia joins Caribbean Golf Association

    Saint Lucia joins Caribbean Golf Association

    At the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA)’s annual general meeting held last week in the Dominican Republic — convened in parallel with the 30th edition of the Caribbean Golf Classic — regional golf officials made a landmark decision to welcome two new national governing bodies into full membership. Alongside Bermuda, the Saint Lucia Golf Association (SLGA) secured the vote of approval from CGA delegates, marking a historic milestone for golf development in the Eastern Caribbean.

    Following the admission of the two new members, the CGA’s total full membership count now stands at 12. While Guadeloupe and the United States Virgin Islands hold affiliate status within the regional organization, Saint Lucia’s entry makes it the first full member from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to join the CGA’s ranks.

    The SLGA’s path to full membership began with a formal application submitted to the CGA leadership months prior to the AGM. During the meeting, SLGA representatives laid out their strategic vision for growing the sport locally, outlined their motivation for joining the regional body, and detailed the unique value their membership would bring to the wider Caribbean golf community. After the presentation, member delegates cast a unanimous vote to approve the SLGA’s application.

    In an interview following the historic vote, SLGA President Mario Reyes shared his organization’s excitement for the new chapter. “Our top priority continues to be expanding access to golf and raising the profile of the sport across Saint Lucia,” Reyes explained. “Joining the CGA as full members opens up entirely new competitive landscapes for our golfers at every skill level. This partnership will foster deeper camaraderie across regional players, strengthen cross-border friendships, lift the overall quality of play in our country, and most importantly, create clear pathways for our young emerging golfers to access opportunities that were simply out of reach before.”

    For the local Saint Lucia golf community, the benefits of CGA membership extend far beyond competitive access. The agreement will see the popular annual Saint Lucia Golf Open added to the official CGA regional tournament calendar, bringing increased exposure and high-profile regional competition to the island’s courses. Local golfers will also now earn the right to compete officially across all CGA-run tournaments.

    Founded in 1987, the CGA has long served as the leading governing body for golf across the Caribbean region. The organization hosts five annual championship events spread across different Caribbean nations, creating structured competitive opportunities for junior, amateur, and senior golfers alike while working systematically to drive sustainable growth of the sport across the region.

    CGA President Sidney Wolf emphasized that the addition of Saint Lucia and Bermuda reinforces the steady progress of golf across the entire Caribbean. “Both new members have demonstrated clear strategic vision, unwavering passion for the game, and a deep commitment to grassroots development that aligns perfectly with the CGA’s core mission,” Wolf noted. “We are incredibly eager to see their active participation and their unique contributions as we work together to lift Caribbean golf to new heights on the global stage.”

  • Saint Lucia to host CARICOM 10K in July

    Saint Lucia to host CARICOM 10K in July

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is gearing up for one of its most anticipated annual regional sporting events, as the island nation of Saint Lucia prepares to welcome elite distance runners from across the bloc for the 2025 CARICOM 10K Road Race. Scheduled for Sunday, July 5, the race will officially open the festivities of CARICOM Week, building up to the bloc’s landmark Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government set to convene the following day on CARICOM Day, July 6. Saint Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre will serve as the host of the high-profile leadership summit.

    While the exact route for the competitive 10K course has not yet been released to the public, event organizers have confirmed that local runners will get a rare opportunity to test their speed and endurance against top regional competitors, fostering cross-community athletic connection ahead of the intergovernmental meeting. The race is being organized through a collaborative partnership between the CARICOM Secretariat, Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports, and Digital Transformation, and the Saint Lucia Athletics Association.

    In addition to the flagship 10K competition, the 2025 event has expanded its programming to include a suite of supplementary activities designed to engage runners of all ages and abilities. Alongside additional competitive running categories, the schedule now features a dedicated mile race for youth and junior athletes, as well as community-focused walking events to boost public participation.

    Prizes for the 10K match the generous structure that has been in place in recent years: both the men’s and women’s overall champions will take home a cash prize of US$1,000, along with a prestigious trophy. The top male athlete will be awarded the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy, while the top female winner will receive the CARICOM Secretary-General’s Trophy. As of 2024, both of these titles are held by athletes from Trinidad & Tobago, who swept the podium at the 2023 event hosted in Jamaica. Nicholas Romany claimed the men’s top spot, while Alexia John took first place in the women’s division, solidifying Trinidad & Tobago’s dominance in the previous running of the race.

    Notably, the 2024 iteration of the race, which was originally slated to be hosted by Grenada, was forced to be canceled outright due to the destructive impact of Hurricane Beryl, making the 2025 Saint Lucia event a highly anticipated return to the annual calendar.

    For host nation Saint Lucia, the race carries extra local pride: a handful of homegrown athletes have claimed top honors in the event’s history. Zepherinus Joseph was the most recent Saint Lucian to take overall victory, clinching the win back in 2011. Earlier national champions include Victor Ledgers, who earned the top spot in 2005, while Michael Biscette claimed a national medal for the island in 2022. At the 2023 Jamaica race, Saint Lucian athletes Laura-Lynn Limery and Jason Sayers placed sixth in the women’s division and ninth in the men’s respectively, with Limery having previously taken third place overall in the 2023 competition.