Tuach surfs to Barbados’ second silver at CAC Games

Barbadian surfer Chelsea Tuach added another medal to the island’s tally at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, capturing silver in the women’s shortboard competition.

Tuach scored 7.33 points in the final to finish behind Costa Rica’s Rachel Aguero, who claimed gold with 10.50 in challenging surf conditions.

The silver medal is Barbados’ second of the Games, following the men’s doubles tennis silver won by Stephen Slocombe and Kaipo Marshall.

Barbados Surfing Association president Stewart Stoute praised Tuach’s performance, describing her achievement as an outstanding effort against quality opposition and in difficult conditions.

“It was a difficult final for Chelsea.The waves were super small and she  

got one really good wave but couldn’t find a backup. Still she has made Barbados really proud. We could not ask for more from her in securing the silver medal at the CAC Games. 

“I would say she has definitely been our most consistent surfer and she has given everything that she’s had for the sport.

According to Stoute, the other members of the surfing delegation, Jacob Burke and Lewis St John, also performed creditably.

“They had some tough conditions to surf under, like super small waves. 

Lewis St John had a tough first round and surfed against Jacob Burke. 

Jacob won that heat, and then I think a Venezuelan guy got second and Lewis was third.

“Jacob went all the way to the quarterfinals where he had a tough heat as well.  He only got one really good wave, but he gave it everything,” Burke explained.

In Wednesday’s men’s hockey action Trinidad and Tobago defeated Barbados 5-0 while in cycling Arielle Greaves and Amber Joseph both advanced past the first round of the women’s sprint, but exited the competition in Round Two.

Greaves was beaten by Valeria Hernandez of Columbia, while Carliany Martinez of Venezuela got the better of Joseph.

In the swimming pool Heidi Stoute was third in Heat Three of the women’s 50m freestyle, after clocking 57.24 seconds, with Danielle Treasure sixth in 59.15. 

In the opening round of the men’s 100m freestyle Amani Miller clocked 53.27 seconds to finish second, while Jake Chee-A-Tow was second in heat 1 of the men’s 200m butterfly in 2:11.02.

(KH)