From 2-6 May 2023, the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes hosted the 2023 Bridgetown Americas Triathlon World Triathlon Development Camp, followed by a Technical Officials’ Level One Seminar, as the sport’s growth in the Caribbean took centre stage this month.

The seminar covered a range of TO operational topics, from athlete conduct to appeals, start procedures and doping control, and was wrapped up with an open book exam for the participants.

Development Camp facilitator Jonah Camps (TTO) summarised that the event had been “a segment on what ‘good’ looks like”, and Seminar Facilitator Leslie Poujol Brown (HON) reflected that the Barbados team was “organised, ever present, and so efficient! They rock!”

“The camp was well designed to give an insight into high performance as a junior and adult athlete,” said coach Aliya Drakes. “There was a good combination of training sessions, workshops and relevant talks. As a coach, I had the opportunity to work with and learn from other coaches in the region. I gained new skills to add to my coaching toolbox and I am looking forward to seeing the athletes develop in the Caribbean region.”

The events took place ahead of the 2023 World Triathlon Development Regional Cup Bridgetown held on 7 May, the first event of its kind in a city that has hosted continental events since 2012 and designed to bring National Federations, their athletes and those in the broader region race opportunities in which to develop across all areas of the event, from hosting to performance and officiating.

Aruba up-and-comer Rebecca Jansen won the women’s event, Barbados’ own Niel Skinner – who was part of the country’s Mixed Relay team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – with the men’s gold.

Neighbouring Trinidad will host the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in August, with individual and Mixed Relay events on the schedule, as the sporting spotlight continues to shine on the Caribbean region’s ever-growing and dynamic triathlon landscape in 2023.