Bermuda’s team are determined to pursue more medals at the Carifta Swimming Championships which starts in Barbados today.

The team of 23 is the largest Bermuda has sent to the championships and includes ten first-time qualifiers.

Elan Daley, who claimed 11 medals at the championships in Kingston, Jamaica, on her way to winning the high-point overall award in only her second championships.

Bermuda claimed 32 medals last year, just short of the 39 medals they brought back from the Bahamas in 2017, a record for the island at Carifta.

Daley set a new Carifta record in the 200 metres backstroke last year when she touched the wall in 2min 29.11sec to win gold. Daley, 14, was born in Bermuda but lives in Canada where her exploits in the pool have not gone unnoticed.

She is joined in Bermuda’s team by her brother Elijah, who won silver and bronze medals last year The Bermuda team completed in a two-week training camp before flying to Barbados on Wednesday.

“After two days of final preparations they are ready to hit the pool for the four days of competition,” said Ben Smith, the Bermuda coach, who will be assisted by Richard Goodwin.

“The swimmers are in great spirits and being the largest Carifta swim team that Bermuda has ever sent, the expectations are high for good results.

“The Barbados Aquatics Centre has been fitted with brand-new starting blocks and many new refurbishments.

“The energy is already electric with all the teams training together and we excited to get started.”