All athletes dream of the day when they compete against the best in the game, and soon, many Virgin Islands athletes will have their chance during the 2014 Caribbean and Central American Games in Veracruz, Mexico.
Lyn Reid, Secretary General for the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, has high hopes for Team V.I. in Veracruz. “This is a very strong team,” Reid said. Virgin Islands athletes will be facing some strong competition, but Reid is confident in her athletes. “We are expecting to bring home some medals.”
Athletes from Team V.I. will be participating in 10 sports including Sailing, Swimming, Beach Volleyball, Track & Field, Taekwondo, Archery, Shooting, Bowling, Golf and Boxing.
Team V.I. will compete in four different sailing classes including Sunfish, Laser, Laser Radial and J-24. Canfield agrees that Team V.I. will have a good representation in Veracruz.
“I think this is our strongest team that’s ever gone to the Caribbean Games,” Canfield said. Canfield highlighted some V.I. athletes that standout in their events.
- Cy Thompson – previous winner in the CAC Games. Already qualified for 2016 Olympic Games
- Taylor Canfield – Youngest ever World Match Racing Champion
- Peter Stanton – Among the best in the V.I. in Sunfish sailing
- Paige Clarke – Laser Radial athlete. Up and coming athlete recently returned from competing in Youth Olympic Games
Clarke is one part of the group of V.I. sailors at the high school level that is making waves in the sport. “One of our young kids just won the North Americans in the Opti Class and another won in the New Englands – which had over 400 boats competing,” Canfield boasted. “We just continue producing great sailors out of the Virgin Islands. It’s amazing!”
A high school Junior at the Antilles School on St. Thomas, the 15-year-old Clarke will be sailing in the Laser Radial class in Veracruz. Clarke competed in the Youth Olympic Games in the Bite C-2 class which is a smaller and more technical craft than the Laser Radial. “I’m happy with the Laser Radial. I’m liking it,” Clarke said.
Clarke said that some of the athletes she competed against in the Olympic Games would be in competing in Veracruz so she kind of knows what she’s up against. “I’m not too sure where I’ll end up in the fleet, but I just want to try to do my best.”
The V.I. delegation will be comprised of 60-65 athletes, officials, parents and all around supporters.
Scores and stats for the games will be available on the V.I. Olympic Committee’s website at www.virginislandsolympics.org or on the event organizer’s website at www. http://veracruz2014.mx.
