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Getting Ready for the “Race for the Conch”

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READY SET GO, RACE FOR THE CONCH FILE PHOTO

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Final preparations are underway for 14th annual Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim set for Saturday morning June 29, 2024. TCI star
swimmer, Tajhari Williams, will be back to defend his back-to-back first place
finishes in the 2.4 and 1 mile events from last year. He will be contending with
several up-and-coming TCI swimmers also racing for a conch trophy to take
home along with many talented swimmers from abroad.

The beach in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe will once again be the venue for the
start and the finish. Swimmers will have a choice of three main distances: 2.4
mile, 1 mile, and 1/2 mile in the beautiful turquoise waters of Grace Bay. A 100
meter Children’s Swim for youngsters 10 and under will also be offered.

Race founders/directors, Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann, said that
they anticipate at least 100 swimmers from overseas, mainly the US and
Canada, as well as around 40 local swimmers. “Last year’s event really showed
once more that TCI swimmers can compete and win against top American,
Canadian and UK swimmers who fly in for the race,” said Stubenberg.
Zimmermann added, “It’s truly inspiring to see how far TCI has progressed in
open water swimming right here in their home waters.”

The “Race for the Conch,” rated as one of the top 100 open water races in the
world by World Open Water Swimming Association, has become the biggest
international sports event in the Turks & Caicos. In keeping with the tradition of
buying local, race organizers have collaborated with the following local artists:
Stanford Handfield to carve conch medals for each participant; Lucie Stubbs to
make the plaques that also use conch shells carved by Handfield; Alizee
Zimmermann to design the logo and design for the race T shirts. In addition,
locally created “Proud of My Island” will be the official goodie bags for racers.

The organizers takes seriously the “Eco-SeaSwim” part of the even name by,
among other things, banning sunscreens that are not reef safe. At the venue, all
swimmers will have free access to the official race sunscreen, Caribbean Sol,
which is purely mineral based.

Race for the Conch is a registered TCI nonprofit organization. Proceeds go to
Provo Children’s Home, Reef Fund, TCI Red Cross, and Project Inclusion Turks
& Caicos.

The organizers noted that this event could not take place without dedicated
volunteers along with generous sponsors, and providers. They include: Grace
Bay Club, Ocean Club East, Hartling Group, Experience Turks & Caicos, Whole
Health, Caribbean Bottling Company, Atlantic Aviation, Projetech, Finishing
Touch, SurfSide Ocean Academy, Jafooe Computer Services, Silver Palm
Charters, DJ Dayoh, Got-U-Covered, TCI Red Cross, Big Blue Collective,
Paradise Photography, Luxury Experiences Turks & Caicos, Business Solutions,
LMNT Electrolytes, Natural Trade Distribution, Caicu Naniki Vacation
Adventures, and Marco Travel.

More information about the race, including start times and course description,
can be found on the race website www.ecoseaswim.com.
Note that organizers offer special discounts for TCI residents. They should
register through their swim clubs or at the check-in desk on race day 1.5 hours
before the event start time.

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Caribbean News

Team Trinidad & Tobago Makes Waves with Historic CARIFTA Aquatics Performance

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April 14, 2026 – Team Trinidad and Tobago delivered one of the most commanding performances at the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, finishing third overall in swimming and second in athletics, signaling a powerful resurgence on the regional stage.

Competing in Martinique, the swim team amassed an impressive 747 points and 59 medals—20 gold, 19 silver and 20 bronze—in what officials are calling a historic showing. The result marks a significant step forward from previous years, reinforcing the country’s growing strength across disciplines and age groups.

Standout performances came from a deep and talented squad. Zahara Anthony led the charge with 72 points, dominating the Girls 11–12 division across freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events. Liam Carrington followed closely with 69 points, delivering a near-flawless campaign in the Boys 15–17 category, while Marena Martinez, Xaiden Valentine and Serenity Pantin added critical points with consistent podium finishes.

The team’s strength was not limited to individual brilliance. Athletes like Micah Alexander, Ethan McMillan-Cole and Jaden Mills showcased versatility and depth, while relay contributions from swimmers including Julius Ennals and Anpherne Bernard helped secure the team’s overall standing.

The performance drew high praise from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, which welcomed the team home in celebration of what was described as a defining moment for the programme.

Minister Phillip Watts noted, “This success is not accidental. It is the result of hard work, structure, vision, and belief. Our young athletes are proving that Trinidad and Tobago is rising again.”

He added that every performance sent a clear message across the region that the country is “not standing still… we are moving forward.”

The showing in Martinique underscores the impact of sustained investment in youth development, coaching and systems, with Team TTO emerging as one of the most complete and competitive squads at CARIFTA 2026.

With momentum now firmly on their side, Trinidad and Tobago’s swimmers are not just competing—they are setting the pace for the future of Caribbean aquatics.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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Caribbean News

Mottley Celebrates CARIFTA Champions After Stunning Relay Upset

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Barbados, April 14, 2026 – Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley rolled out a hero’s welcome for the island’s CARIFTA athletes, celebrating a team that delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 championships.

At a reception held at Ilaro Court, Mottley met with the returning team, including the country’s Under-20 men’s 4x400m relay squad—Kyle Gale, Demario Prince, Akeem Sirjue and Jamar Marshall—whose electrifying performance at the Kirani James National Stadium stunned regional powerhouses.

The Barbadian quartet surged to gold in a dramatic finish, toppling both The Bahamas—long dominant in the event—and Jamaica, whose athletes have historically controlled the CARIFTA track scene with decades of relay success.

The victory capped a high-energy night and is already being described as a defining moment for Barbadian athletics.

Speaking after the team’s return, Mottley underscored the national pride sparked by the athletes’ achievements.

“This afternoon filled me with pride. To welcome our CARIFTA athletes to Ilaro Court, to see their smiles, feel their joy and thank them personally for what they have done for Barbados, was deeply special,” she said.

The Prime Minister also announced a $1 million investment to support athlete development, including enhancements to sporting infrastructure, sports science, nutrition and training systems.

“Our young people are soaring already. Barbados must now make sure they have every tool to go even higher,” Mottley added.

The reception signaled not just celebration, but commitment—positioning Barbados to build on a breakthrough moment that has shifted the regional athletics conversation.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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GOLD & SILVER – Hall & Guerrier Fly High for Turks and Caicos at CARIFTA 2026

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Turks and Caicos, April 06, 2026 – Technical excellence early in their jumps became the defining factor for two Turks and Caicos athletes, as David Hall soared to gold in a nail-biting Under-20 high jump final at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada. Herwens Guerrier added to the country’s success with a 1.90 metre clearance to secure silver in the Under-17 division, finishing in a tightly contested field where all three medalists cleared the same height.

Both events were decided on countback — meaning the medals were determined not just by height cleared, but by which athlete did so with fewer failed attempts, highlighting the importance of precision and composure under pressure.

A wave of national pride followed the results, with congratulatory messages pouring in for the athletes who delivered under pressure on the regional stage. In a statement, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam praised both competitors, saying their “hard work, discipline and determination have made the entire nation proud,” while encouraging the wider team to continue striving as competition unfolded at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada.

Team Turks and Caicos finished just outside of the top ten among 28 competing nations, and anticipation is already building for what is expected to be a spirited homecoming for the standout athletes, whose performances have ignited pride across the islands.

The 53rd staging of the CARIFTA Games, held at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada, unfolded under warm, at times testing conditions, with intermittent showers and shifting winds challenging athletes across disciplines.

Jamaica once again asserted its dominance, capturing its 40th consecutive CARIFTA title, continuing an unmatched run in regional athletics. Among the standout performers was Shanoya Douglas, whose electrifying run in the Under-20 200 metres earned her the prestigious Austin Sealy Award — the Games’ highest individual honour — after she shattered the long-standing record of Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who went on to become an Olympic gold medalist in the 400 metres. Douglas clocked an impressive 22.11 seconds to rewrite the CARIFTA record books.

For Turks and Caicos, however, the spotlight remained firmly on the field, where two high jumpers delivered performances defined by discipline and growth. Hall’s gold medal-winning clearance of 2.00 metres marked a significant step forward in his development, improving on his 1.89 metre silver medal performance at the 2025 Inter-High Championships. Guerrier’s 1.90 metre effort in the Under-17 division similarly places him among the country’s top emerging talents, signalling a strong future for the event locally.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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