Bad weather forecast for Sunday has prompted a change to the programme for the Carifta Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Team Relay Championships at Clearwater Beach this weekend.

Bermuda athletes will be taking on their counterparts from Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago and St Kitts & Nevis.

The action starts today with the aquathlon, scheduled to run from 1.30pm to 3pm, with Bermuda expecting a strong start to their title defence by picking up medals in the run-swim event.

Sanchez Smith, Naomi MacGuinness, Ronan Davidge, Rory Shepherd, Ethan Smith, Spencer Haldeman, Brooklyn Myers and Oliver Hayward are among the strong contenders to bag medals for the home team in the aquathlon.

To cap the day’s activities, an official opening ceremony will take place at Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa, where Dame Flora Duffy and World Triathlon president Antonio Arimany are expected to be in attendance.

Saturday is packed with action, with the triathlon taking place from 8am to 11.45am, followed by the mixed team relays from 1pm to 2.30pm.

On Sunday, the young triathletes will have an opportunity for a meet and greet with Duffy at Grotto Bay before the closing ceremony and medal presentation bring proceedings to an end at 5pm.

Bermuda, who won the event in Trinidad & Tobago last year, will be represented by a strong 45-member team.

Commenting on the squad, Bermuda Triathlon Association president Karen Smith expressed pride in the chosen athletes.

“We are so proud to announce this talented junior team,” Smith said.

“For these athletes, competing on home soil offers a special opportunity to represent their country and demonstrate their continued hard work and dedication to this sport.

“With the support of family, friends and the wider community, our athletes will take to the start line ready to represent Bermuda with pride.

“We hope many people will come up to Clearwater Beach to cheer them on and help make this a truly memorable weekend for everyone involved.”

Adding to the significance of this year’s championships, Bermuda’s athletes in the 16-21 age group will be competing as part of the 2026 World Triathlon Americas Regional Cup, providing an exciting regional opportunity for them to obtain highly sought after World Triathlon ranking points.

Bermuda head coach Alec Shepherd expressed excitement at his athletes getting the chance to test themselves against some of the best in the Caribbean.

“Behind every athlete on this team are countless hours of training, early mornings and the commitment to continuously improving,” Shepherd said.

“Triathlon doesn’t just teach young people swimming, cycling and running — it builds resilience, discipline, confidence and the ability to keep pushing when things get tough.

“For our junior athletes, the opportunity to compete alongside talent from across the Caribbean is an experience that will stay with them long after the race weekend ends.”

Organisers believe the presence of Duffy and Arimany at the event will help raise the profile of triathlon in the region.

“The event weekend will also welcome two distinguished guests to the island: Dame Flora Duffy, Bermuda’s Olympic gold medal-winner and one of the world’s most decorated triathletes, and Antonio Arimany, president of World Triathlon,” a spokesman said.

“Their attendance reflects the significance of the championships and Bermuda’s profile within the Caribbean region.”

With the island hosting more than 140 athletes and supporters, it has been a busy few days for staff and volunteers at Grotto Bay.

“On the Wednesday night flight from Miami, we had 97 arrivals with more than 50 bikes,” the organisers added.

“The team at Grotto Bay stayed up late to help us. This is what it takes, a big team of dedicated professionals and volunteers to make these moments happen

“We’re lucky to live in a small caring community, the taxi, transfers, trucking and logistics team were also exceptional.

“The BTA would like to extend its sincere thanks to its sponsors, without whom hosting this championship would not be possible.

“Clarien Bank Limited, Government of Bermuda, Department of Sports & Recreation, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Appleby, CG, Butterfield & Vallis, Aon, MS RE, Buzz, ZipX, Grotto Bay, Paradise Mobile and Bermuda Land Management Corporation.”