Bermuda’s Carifta Games hopefuls will have another chance to make qualifying standards when a two-day meet is held this weekend at the National Sports Centre starting at noon today.

So far nine athletes have achieved qualifying standards for the trip to Bahamas next month and Donna Raynor, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, expects more athletes to qualify by the final Carifta trial on March 10.

“The sooner you do it the easier it is, then you can relax and work on increasing either your speed or distance,” Raynor said yesterday. “People like Johndell [Cumberbatch] and Ryan [Outerbridge], every time they run they are running faster because now they are relaxed and don’t have to focus on meeting the standards.

“There are still a few who are close, but I’m thinking if we can get to 15 that might be the maximum, quality rather than quantity.”

Ashley Irby, in the 1,500 metres, and high jumpers Sakari Famous and Elisha Darrell were the first to qualify, during a meet on January which also involved a team from the University of Western Ontario.

Since then Amelia Othman reached the standard — the third high jumper — along with Cumberbatch and Robert Edwards in the 5,000 metres, Ryan Outerbridge in the 3,000 metres and Brianna Mendes also in the 3,000. Taylor Hines was the first sprinter to reach the standard, doing so in the 200 metres.

“The nine who have qualified so far, if they keep going the way they’re going they are possible medallists,” Raynor feels. “Their times and distances are getting better and better every track meet. Time is running down and before you know it March 10 will be here.”

Stephan Dill, Clevonte Lodge, Talilah Wears and Deneo Brangman are representing Bermuda’s senior schools in a meet in Barbados today and are looking to achieve qualifying standards in the sprints.

Bahamas will host the Games for the eighth time between March 30 and April 2 in Nassau. The Games will bring together some 500 athletes and 150 team officials from 26 countries.