Oliver Hayward, who won a medal at the 2024 Carifta Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships in Barbados, has been ruled out of this year’s edition with injury.

Hayward, who clinched bronze in the 16-19 boys race last year, has a stress fracture of a bone in his left foot and will not be making the trip to Trinidad & Tobago. The injury has spoiled what was shaping up to be an exciting summer, with the talented youngster now missing out on training camps in the United States and racing in Canada.

While unable to compete, the 17-year-old has been working on his strength and conditioning with coach Liam Evans, who us is in Tobago to chaperone those representing Bermuda.

A broken wrist sustained during the final camp conducted by Michael Harlow, a top American youth triathlon coach at Clearwater Beach last week, has also forced Owen Fosker to withdraw from the competition.

Leading the medal hunt for Bermuda in the 16-19 boys event are Jackson Langley, Jake Smith and Gianluca Bortoli, who has graduated from the 13-15 age group. In the 16-19 girls division, Carina Bortoli and Ella Shepherd carry the island’s hopes of finishing on the podium.

Sanchez Smith is steering Bermuda’s medal aspirations in the 13-15 boys category after winning gold a year ago. Dylan Eiselt and Rory Shepherd, the top-two finishers at the Clarien Iron Kids Triathlon, are expected to provide Smith with strong competition.

There is a strong Bermudian contingent in the 13-15 girls division, with Elena Bortoli, Zara Bule, Isla Cooze, Sofia Leclerc, Riana Robinson and Madison Schindel all testing themselves.

Naomi MacGuinness, who secured double gold in her first appearance at Carifta last year, will be chasing the same again as she is competing in the triathlon and aquathlon.

While Langley arrived in Tobago on Wednesday, the bulk of the Bermuda team landed late on Thursday afternoon and will conduct a course familiarisation on Friday before they compete on Saturday and Sunday.