TCI News

The Second Annual Tour of the Turks and Caicos

Published

5 years ago

October 26, 2019

#Providenciales, October 26, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Daniel Redmond and Tyrone Bishop named Masters and Elite Tour of Turks and Caicos Champions.

The second annual Tour of the Turks and Caicos Championship, a grueling five stage cycling competition which took place over four islands in the Turks and Caicos was a great success. The competition saw over twenty cyclists (including a visiting cyclist from Barbados) in four categories compete to be champions of the Turks and Caicos. The mood at the beginning of the tour was a mix of excitement and nervousness for the fifth stage added and the fact that the tour would take place over one weekend, instead of two like last year.

Stage one took place in the Nation’s Capital, with a 36-mile road race for Masters and Elite, 25-mile for Females and 6-mile for Cadets. Early in the race Devaughn Williams and visiting rider Sedwin Jones fom Barbados went down in a nasty fall. Thankfully they sustained no major injuries and was able to compete in later stages. The main race saw attacks by Elite rider Omard Gardiner, which he held for more than 20 miles. A well coordinated chase group was able to reel him in with just 4 miles to go. The race ended in a photo finish sprint between Friedise Registre and Omard Gardiner, where Omard edged the sprint king by just inches. Friedise Registre, Shanwell Gardiner and Daniel Redmond, took the top spots for Masters. Omard Gardiner, Tyrone Bishop and Earldarrel Basden placed first, second and third in the Elite Category. Gabriella Hedegus was again the lone female rider. Ethan Gardiner, Kymani Ewing and Tauraine James were first second and third in the Cadets race.

Stage two was a 7-mile time trial on the Green Isle of North Caicos. Cyclist brought their A-game and overall took less time to complete the course. Elite winners were Tyrone Bishop, Omard Gardiner and Earldarrel Basden. Masters winners were Friedise Registre, Daniel Redmond and Sedwin Jones (cyclist from Barbados).

After a 2-hour rest period, stage three, a road race between North and Middle Caicos began. Masters and Elite 54 miles, Female 46 miles. The race got started at its usual fast pace and saw characteristic attacks by Tyrone Bishop, Sean Rogers and Sedwin Jones. However, no one was able to get away and the entire pack stayed together for the entire race which eventually came to a bunch sprint. Elite winners were Tyrone Bishop, Omard Gardiner and Sean Rodgers. Masters winners Daniel Redmond, Friedise Registre and Sedwin Jones.

Stage 4 was the Providenciales Time Trial. Once again, the cyclists pushed it to the limit and improved personal times. Elite winners Omard Gardiner, Tyrone Bishop and Chevorn Bishop. Masters Winners Friedise Registre, Daniel Redmond and Shanwell Gardiner.

The fifth and final stage was a road race throughout Providenciales (65 miles Elite and Masters, 46 miles Female). From the beginning of the race there were attacks from Sedwin Jones followed by Omard and Dan Redmond. The highlight of the race was a solo breakaway by Sean Rogers. This solo breakaway was executed at a high enough pace to see Rogers ride off to a solo victory. Race favourite Fred Registre suffered a flat mid-race and was unable to finish. Elite winners of the race were Sean Rodgers, Tyrone Bishop and Omard Gardiner. Masters winners were Sedwin Jones followed by, Kavin Ewing and Shanwell Gardiner.

At the end of all five stages the overall winner of the Masters category was Dan Redmond followed by Sedwin Jones and third was Fred Registre. Elite Category winners were Tyrone Bishop, followed by Omard Gardiner and third was Chevorn Bishop.

Visiting rider, Sedwin Jones expressed excitement about his participation in the Tour of TCI and stated he was quite surprised by the level of talent and competition here in the TCI. Mr Jones who is a former multiple National champion of Barbados has confirmed he will definitely be back to compete next year. President of the TCI cycling Federation was very satisfied with the turnout and performance of the cyclist. TCI has set a new standard in the region with this being the only 5 stage race being held over a 3 day period. The level of difficulty is unlike no other race on record and TCI has caught the attention of many cycling Federations around the region. The Bahamas, Anguilla and Canada has already indicated that they will be competing in the Tour of TCI for 2020.

The Tour marks the end of the season for the TCI Cycling Federation. After tallying all points accumulated during the 2019 season, the overall winner for the Masters Category is Frediese Registre, followed by Shanwell Gardiner and third place Dan Redmond

Elite Category 2019 season winners are Tyrone Bishop, Omard Gardiner and Anthony Plunkett placing 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd.

Next on the agenda for the TCCF is the 19^th Annual Caribbean Championships to be held in Havana Cuba 1^st to the 3^rd of November. This is the first invitation TCI has ever received from the Caribbean Cycling Confederation (CCC). We will be taking a team of 4 to the games.

The Turks and Caicos Cycling Federation wishes to thank our sponsors; Accu Diagnostic, Bajari Beach All Inclusive, Bohio Resort, Caicos Xpress Airlines, Flamingo Pharmacy, Gordon Supplies, Gracebay Pharmacy, Graceway Supermarkets, Island Bargains, Jaca TCI Ltd, Lapels, Long Bay Express Gas Station, Miss B’s Restaurant, Ocean Club Resorts, Osprey Hotel, Paradise Smiles TCI, Paparazzi, Paul Vaughn, Salt Raker Inn, Somewhere Café, Sunshine Restaurant, The Hartling Group,.The public who came out to support the event, the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force who kept us safe during the event. A special thank you also to all of our volunteers who assisted in making this event a success.

TCI News

Water restrictions extended, says Provo Water Company

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

Water restrictions for Providenciales customers will continue in May according to communication from Provo Water Company. The announcement came on May 1, a day after restrictions were supposed to end, and as the company continues projects to expand inflow.

“While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track,” said PWC in response to Magnetic Media questions on the scheduled end to the lock offs.

The May restrictions will not be every night rather they will be implemented on an as needed basis to safeguard those daily water reserves the company says. In the instance that they are implemented, restrictions will run from 11:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. a six-and-a-half hour cutoff rather than the initial 9:00 pm to 6:00 a.m.

“The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station, alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues,” PWC promised in the press release as they apologized for the extension.

The ongoing transmission main project is the closest to completion and should have been wrapped up in May, instead, that has been pushed to mid-June according to the company.

The water restrictions were initially announced in March, to be end in April because of increased demand outstripping the supply at the Suzy Turn reservoir. Credited for the increased demand is the large numbers of tourists and increasing residents that are entering the Turks and Caicos pressuring a system not made for the number of individuals now relying on it.

In June as PWC expects to complete the transmission main project, a record number of monthly air travelers will be heading to Providenciales; almost 80,000 according to the Ministry of Tourism highlighting the urgency of the upgrades.

Government

On Monday, PDM to reveal its General Election slate

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

Over a year after opening its doors for candidate applications, the People’s Democratic Movement is ready to reveal the 10 individuals who will contest the electoral districts in the 2025 general elections.

Ezra Taylor communicated with the media on April 30th following reports that several candidates had received confirmation letters in the weeks prior.

“After an extensive exercise conducted by the People’s Democratic Movement, we are pleased to announce to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands that an official launch of our ten district candidates will take place on May 6, 2024, at 11:00 am,” Taylor indicated.

The team is being kept under wraps until the reveal date but at least one candidate is certain as the team will be: “Under the strong, caring, and trusted leadership of the Hon. Edwin Astwood assisted by a dynamic group of candidates, who together, will forge a future where Turks and Caicos Islanders will feel safe, prosper and fulfill their potential,” Taylor said, indicating that Astwood would reprise his role as Opposition Leader, and likely as candidate for Grand Turk South and Salt Cay based on his own comments.

Astwood was the only PDM candidate to hold onto a seat in the last election, an overwhelmingly yellow victory for the PNP.

In the selection of their five all island candidates which have already been revealed, the PDM placed trust in quite a few of the candidates from that failed election bid, including Karen Malcolm, Robert Been, Ralph Higgs, and Sean Astwood. It remains to be seen whether voters are ready to embrace again, the PDM as the government of the islands.

Edwin Astwood has however stressed that it was the vote of the people that decided who got a spot in the all-island lineup. The opposition leader indicated that surveys had been carried out with over 1,000 respondents indicating who they wanted to run.

“We don’t know how things happened in the past with other parties but we wanted you the people to make the decision and whatever decision you made we were going to live with it. You made this decision for me and I thank you,” he had said to the public.

The PDM has not confirmed whether that was the deciding factor in the second round of candidates as well.

However National Chairman Taylor is confident in their selections maintaining that:

“During this crucial time in our country, Turks and Caicos Islanders need a people-centered government that will address the needs of our country, and lead our country with a sense of purpose. The People’s Democratic Movement is ready, willing and able.”

Crime

No guns, No bullets when travelling to the Caribbean; You could 10-25 Years in Prison

Published

3 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

Americans need to check their luggage for contraband including bullets before leaving home or expect long jail times and hefty fines that advice is coming from within their own country courtesy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In an article last updated February 14, 2024 the ATF said.

“While you’re packing your sunscreen and snorkel gear, don’t forget to check your luggage and clothing to remove all guns and ammunition. Many countries in the Caribbean do not allow possession of firearms or ammunition unless you have a local permit and, if arrested while traveling, the United States Embassy will not be able to secure your release.”

Recent arrests of visitors in the Turks and Caicos islands for ammunition possession have garnered international attention highlighting two interwoven issues: Americans may not be researching the laws of their vacation destinations well enough (despite encouragement from the ATF) and Caribbean countries may not be doing enough to publicize their laws.

One of the most publicized arrests, that of Ryan Watson, a father of two who entered the country with 4 bullets which he and his wife say was a mistake, is one example.

“We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops,” Valerie Watson told CBS News. “Packing ammunition was not at all our intent.”

When Magnetic Media visited the official Turks and Caicos Tourism Website, listed at the bottom of the home page were entry requirements. A click on the entry requirements tab revealed in the very first paragraph, this statement:

“In order to bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), one must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police.”

It’s a clear warning, though it does not mention the mandatory 12 year sentence or the fact that ammunition possession carries the same penalty.

Regardless, it’s there for all potential visitors to see; In fact the Turks and Caicos’ warning is more forward facing than its nearest comparable neighbors who arguably have a much longer reach and more experience in tourism. Magnetic Media found it difficult to find any such warnings on the VisitJamaica or the Bahamas.com websites.

It’s a stark contrast to the ATF website which warns over and over “Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines”

“If you are arrested for gun trafficking abroad, you could be imprisoned, fined or both, and the State Department will not be able to secure your release”

Despite this many Americans continue to make the same mistake, with four such cases pending this year.

Increased diligence from firearm holders and an increased visibility of local laws could work in tandem to protect guests and the tourism industry Caribbean Countries rely on.

Simultaneously, others, arguably the loudest voices, are calling on the government to repeal the law and make provisions for those who may have had no intent to smuggle anything into the country.