Emerging triathlete to race in Tobago

One of the captains of Barbados’ triumphant CARIFTA Triathlon team is in Trinidad & Tobago this week for a training camp and competition. Specifically, Cain Banfield is at the The Buccoo Goat Racing Facility in Buccoo Bay, Tobago, taking part in the 2024 World Triathlon Development Regional Cup Trinidad & Tobago.

A 16-year-old student at Harrison College, Banfield is also a member of Pirates Swim Club. Ninth at the 2023 Pleasant Prairie Elite Youth Cup Triathlon in Wisconsin, USA, he also took on the Americas Triathlon Cup earlier this year, despite being nearly a decade younger than the average elite competitor.

Coming into CARIFTA with high expectations, Banfield took ill four days before competition got underway, and was only able to take part in the aquathlon and relay. With three years yet to go in his current age group, however, he is already plotting redemption in 2025.

This current camp could play a significant role in the young triathlete’s growth. The camp, which began on Monday, runs until Friday 13. Race Day will be Saturday 14.

As part of the 2024 Regional Cup Trinidad & Tobago, kids aged 11-15 will take part in the super sprint, whilst athletes between the ages of 16 and 23 will compete in the sprint. The younger ones will do a 375m swim; 10km bike; and 2.5k run. Older athletes will complete a 750m swim; 20km bike; and 5km run.

Young Banfield is accompanied in Tobago by Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) coach Kemar Holder-Edghill.

The Buccoo race course was chosen for the first ever triathlon at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2023. Triathletes will swim in the calm, protected waters of Buccoo Bay; the ride would take them on a minor rolling 5km course while the run would be on a flat 1.25km course through the Buccoo village. Athletes will cross the finish line in the world famous Buccoo Goat Racing Facility. (TF)