The Bermuda Tourism Authority is hoping top local triathlete Flora Duffy will be among the participants when the City of Hamilton hosts the three-day World Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships from October 15-17.

The BTA unveiled plans for the event this week at a press conference, with a series of individual and relay sprints-distance races lined up for elite athletes, juniors and age group participants.

The weekend will also include a first-of-its-kind Citizen’s Open Sprint Race on October 17, which will be open to everyone. This is the first time a World Triathlon Championship race will have this kind of open race component, the BTA said.

After a pause in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bermuda returns to hosting a world-class triathlon event, with the anticipation of Duffy participating on home soil certain to pique interest.

Duffy missed the 2019 race here due to injury, but it is hoped she will return to compete this fall just like she did in 2018, attracting a swell of fan support along the course.

If Covid restrictions allow in four months time, crowds will be lining the streets of Hamilton to watch the races along the route which will be kept largely the same as previous years.

“The Citizen’s Open Sprint Race is exciting and inclusive and a fresh way of thinking for this fantastic sport, all of it aligns well with the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s National Tourism Plan goal of local involvement,” said Hazel Clark, the BTA’s director of sports business development and chairperson of the Bermuda World Triathlon Championship.

Bermuda residents at any level of the sport can register now as well as visitors from the around the world. The BTA is working with travel partners to sell the idea to recreational athletes who have not likely travelled to compete since the onset of the pandemic.

“We’ve all seen the way sports plays a leading role in tourism growth; we will lean on sports now to help fuel the post-Covid tourism recovery,” said Charles Jeffers, the BTA CEO.

“The tourism authority can’t do this alone; we will rely on partners from across our community to meet the world class standards of hosting this event.”

Charles Gosling, Mayor of Hamilton, is looking forward to the event returning to the island’s capital. “I am delighted that Hamilton will once again serve as the official venue for the World Triathlon competition this October, showcasing not only the city, but the entire island, to the rest of the world,” Gosling said.

“Major sporting events such as these play a key role in fostering an engaging, vibrant and thriving city, drawing people into the city to enjoy the best that our restaurants and retailers have to offer, making a significant social and economic impact on Hamilton.

“The event brings competitors, their families, support crew, event organisers and spectators to our island and we look forward to welcoming them this fall.”

Gosling added: “Although the event is still some time away, city staff have been actively working with event organisers for many months to create a safe and exciting racecourse.

“The city contributes hundreds of hours of manpower to the triathlon and I can’t thank our crews enough for the tremendous work they put in during the lead-up, duration and after the event.”

Race dates:

October 15:

•Elite World Supersprint Championship qualifiers

•Elite Junior World Championship

•Elite World Supersprint Championship semi-finals

October 16:

•Age Group Sprint World Championship

•Elite World Supersprint Championship finals

October 17:

•Age Group Mixed Team Relay World Championship

•Citizen’s Open Sprint Race

•Junior/U23 Mixed Relay World Championship

•Elite World Mixed Team Championship

In the coming months, the World Triathlon Event Committee and the Bermuda Tourism Authority will publicly share relevant information about youth involvement, volunteers, opening ceremonies, road closures, retailer and restaurant engagement, and all the other logistics required to stage the event.

The first tranche of major sponsors and partners named at the press event included BF&M, Bacardi, Butterfield & Vallis, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Bermuda Broadcasting Company, Clarien Bank, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, HSBC Bermuda, PWC & Renaissance Re, Winner’s Edge and venue host, the City of Hamilton. More sponsors will be announced this summer.