National News
BVI entering two in rescheduled Caribbean Jr. Cycling Championships in Barbados
By Dean Greenaway
Sep 5, 2007, 09:57

TORTOLA—Two cyclists will represent the British Virgin Islands at the rescheduled Caribbean Jr. Cycling Championships in Barbados , this weekend. The championships were to be held over the Aug. 18-19, weekend, but was cancelled because of the passing of Hurricane Dean.

Darel Christopher Jr. and Olympia Fahie had been preparing for the championships in Atlanta and were departing for the event on the same day they were cancelled. They have been in the BVI since. “As far as our two cyclists go, I hope that they have been doing all the things they were suppose to be doing to get ready for this championship,” BVI Cycling Federation president David Thomas said. “They shouldn’t have lost much fitness it the two weeks as long as they have been out riding and continuing to put in the work. They say they have, so I’m assuming that everything should be good to go.”

Thomas said as of Monday, besides the BVI, other teams entered in the competition and expected to challenge the hosts include: Bermuda, Puerto Rico , Jamaica , Antigua , St. Vincent and the Grenadines , St. Lucia , Aruba , Trinidad and Tobago , Curacao .

“The numbers have increased dramatically,” he noted of those who showed interest preceding the passage of Hurricane Dean. “I think it should be a very competitive championship.”

Thomas said last year’s event in Puerto Rico was the first time a separate Jr. Championships was held. He said organizers knew that the number of entrants would be small, because several Caribbean participants could not obtain United States visas. Of the participating countries, Puerto Rico, the BVI, St. Lucia and Barbados , are the teams fielding women, Thomas said.

“I haven’t received a start list to see who else will be there, but the main challenge will come from Puerto Rico ,” he pointed out. “They have one of the best junior girls programs with in the region and they are the defending male and female champions. Olympia Fahie is the defending cadet champion, but unfortunately for her, she moves up to race with the junior division. With Puerto Rico there, it will be very competitive.”



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