The Bermuda Triathlon Association has announced a 43-strong team for fourth annual Carifta Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Team Relay Championship will be held in Bermuda for the first time at Clearwater Beach on September 24 and 25.

Nick Pilgrim, Fenella Wightman and Jackson Langley have been selected to act as team captains based on their overall performance, commitment to training and race results.

“All three are tremendous ambassadors for our sport and for Bermuda and we are pleased to recognise them in this role,” Neil de ste Croix, national triathlon coach said.

“We have been so impressed with the dedication and commitment that has been demonstrated by all of our athletes and we are excited to see them perform on the international stage.

“By taking part in this prestigious event, we believe that they will become even more motivated to continue in this sport. We hope that their efforts will be rewarded by support from the local community on the home course at Clearwater next weekend.”

One hundred male and female athletes will compete in age group divisions of 11-12, 13-15, 16-19 and 20-21 with draft legal triathlon events taking place on the morning of the first day before aquathlon and mixed team relay events take place the following day.

Teams from Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago as well as Bermuda have registere.

“After a two-year hiatus, we are delighted to welcome junior athletes from across the region to Bermuda,” said Sharon Hammond, president of the Bermuda Triathlon Association. “At the very place where Flora Duffy raced in her first triathlon, we hope that a new generation of young triathletes will be inspired by their experience on the island.

“This promises to be an exciting weekend of racing and we hope that the local community come out to support and cheer on the teams.”

Ian Pilgrim, Race Director, is relishing the action getting under way on what he believes will be testing course.

“Clearwater Beach is the perfect location for triathlon and aquathlon,” he said. “It is a challenging course with some hills on both the bike and the run sections which should break up the field and really showcase the upcoming stars of the sport.

“We are extremely grateful to the Bermuda Government and Bermuda Tourism Authority for their support as well as our other sponsors, CG Insurance, Ed Broking and Conyers, all of whom have enabled us to host. We look forward to a safe yet competitive Championship.”

Hazel Clark, Bermuda Tourism Authority’s Director of Global Sales and Business Development, is excited to see the event come to the island.

“We are delighted to support the Carifta triathlon and aquathlon,” she said. “We know how important sporting events are to Bermuda’s tourism and just how much Bermudians enjoy them.

“For this reason, I am extremely excited to have another Carifta event coming to our shores.

“The competition taking place at Clearwater Beach will be as picturesque as it is competitive. We truly are looking forward to playing host to the regional event.”