Michael Harlow, a top American youth triathlon coach who spent five days working with Bermuda’s team for the Carifta Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Relay Championships in Barbados this weekend, has high expectations of the youngsters.

Bermuda has a history of being one of the top contenders in the regional competition. A year ago in Bahamas, the island finished second to Barbados, and Harlow expects the 38-strong squad to secure top spot this weekend.

“Knowing the talent I saw here [at the camp at Clearwater Beach] and comparing it to the talent that I’ve seen over the years, I think they’re tremendously strong,’’ Harlow said.

“I don’t know of the talent from the other countries, but I would be very surprised if they didn’t do tremendously well.

“I fully expect them to finish with the highest number of points. I truly believe that they’re capable of it; that is if they all show up, which I think they will do, and perform to their capabilities.

“In this camp we were a lot more race-specific to get them prepared for the heat and challenges of that course.

“We had a lot of success. I was really proud of the athletes, where they've come from and where they’re going.”

Harlow’s presence on the island was made possible by the Department of Sport and Recreation’s National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme.

Steven Petty, the Bermuda Triathlon Association president, stated that instead of putting forward an athlete, it opted to receive funding for a coach to cover the whole group.

“Rather than one child get a scholarship to go to some event overseas, we chose to have a coach who can come here and impart his knowledge on the whole group,’’ Petty said.

“For the last few years we’ve gone for a coach, which makes more sense. For the same amount of money, we get way more value for the coach’s time in Bermuda working with our young triathletes over five days.

“We used to select one athlete, then we thought, ‘That’s crazy. We’re putting all the money into one person whereas here we can prepare these young athletes to go to Carifta’.

“Last year, we had Parker Spencer, but because he is coaching a group of US juniors, he couldn’t make it.”

One of Bermuda’s top juniors, Jackson Langley, was pleased to prepare for Carifta under Harlow’s supervision.

“He’s a really good coach, he knows a lot about triathlon and how to coach development athletes,” said the 15-year-old, who won two gold medals in Bahamas last year.

“We had a very solid week with him. It was a little bit intense, but that’s what we wanted, especially training in the heat.

“I won my age group last year and also won the mixed team relay. I’m not sure what to expect this year; it’s going to be a really good race.

“There’s really some strong athletes from the Caribbean right now, so I’m looking forward to racing them and have some tough competition.”

Zara Bule, 12, was grateful for the time spent with Harlow, which she felt prepared her for what to expect in Barbados.

“We did a lot of training to get us adapted to the heat in Barbados since it’s going to be really hotter than here,” she said.

“Last year I was more nervous going to Carifta because it was the biggest international race that I’d ever done, so this year I’m feeling less nervous.

“I think I’ve quite a good chance of being in the top three this time around because I’m at the top of my age group, and I’ve gotten much faster.”

Jamie Bedford, a winner of the senior boys and the mixed relay races, is managing his expectations this year.

“Obviously I would love to win, but the competition looks pretty strong this year, so anywhere on the podium would be amazing,’’ Bedford said.

Although she is travelling to Barbados, Fenella Wightman’s participation is doubtfuil because of injury and illness. The 16-year-old was a member of the mixed relay team that brought home gold, when she combined with Bedford, Langley and Sofia Leclerc.