The First Annual BVI Youth Cycling Championships 2009

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On Sunday, the 4th of October, the BSAFE program held the first ever Youth National Cycling Championships.

While the BVICF’s 9th Annual Memorial Jason Bally Race was being fought out on the road by a number of international riders, over 70 boys and girls, aged from 5 to 16 years old, were competing in a series of short races to determine who would be given the title of BVI National Champion for their respective age group categories.
 
The event saw 26 races take place to determine all the winners.  The largest field was the 8-10 year old boys, where 27 entrants meant that it took 8 races to find the overall winner.
 
“The turnout was fantastic; I feel that for a first time event the numbers were perfect,” said Chris Ghiorse, the director of BSAFE.  “As much as I want to see more children showing up, I don’t think we could have realistically handled many more competitors without more volunteers.  Now that BSAFE has done this first event, I know exactly how many volunteers I will need next time around.”
 
“I am very grateful the HLSCC allowed me to hold the event on the field in front of their big tent. The location enabled parents and guardians to watch from the shade of the tent and the course layout was just challenging enough that some of the first races saw a few bumps and missed turns.  By the final races, the competitors all had learned that bike racing is not just about going fast in a straight line, one needs to have a bit of control.  I cannot say enough about the enthusiasm I saw out there today.”
 
The BSAFE program and this event would not have been possible with out the title sponsorship of the Ministry of Education and the support of Caribbean Alliance Insurance, Caribbean Insurers, Burke’s Garage, Ogier and PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Water was provided by Dasani.
 
“I think this event was a great success, we held 26 races in just over 2 hours, that is a race every 5 minutes”, said Chris.  “This was only achieved because of all the volunteers that sacrificed their Sunday to help out.  I would like to thank Louise Wearmouth and Yael Gordon for organizing the entrants; student volunteers Latoya and Gaby for helping pin on numbers; Zoë Bickerton, Tricia Grant and Theo Burke for the finish line judging; Ray Wearmouth for starting lane checks; Gladys Jones for the First Aid duties; Rotarians and Rotaractors for general fill in duties.”
 

BSAFE BVI Youth National Cycling Championship Results
 
National Youth Champions recognized and Medals provided by the BVICF
 
7 and under Girls (2 races on points, 2 entrants)
1st Alice Abrehart, 2nd Kyanna Auguiste
 
7 and under Boys (2 races on points, 4 entrants)
1st Ojari Henry, 2nd John Cullimore, 3rd Jahmal Bertie, 4th Luka Chalwell
 
8-10 Girls (2 races on points, 10 entrants)
1st Akira Phillips, 2nd Jah’Kienya Hodge, 3rd Azonia Hodge, tied 4th Emily Abrehart and Tamisha Dennis, tied 6th Kytwanna Augiste and Joental Bolton, 8th Leigha Burke, 9th Jessica Francis, 10th Dareika Sutton
 
8-10 Boys (8 races by elimination, 27 entrants)
Finalists: 1st Jhe’quan Mitchell, 2nd D’quan Christopher, 3rd Elian Frazer, 4th Kai Chalwell, 5th Jamoi Greenaway, 6th Judah Bertie, 7th Braeden Chalwell, 8th Joseph Wells, 9th Omauri Francis, 10th Kyrique Thomas
Participants: Jaheem Chaddick, AJai Evett, Zhays Farara, Shamoy Frett, Dondré Green, Thecoi Hopkins, Rakeel Jack, Avonté Liverpool, Kedrick Matthew, Shazeak Nabibaksh, Gregory Nelson II, Jelani Norman, Carlon O’Niel, Selene, K’Oni Thomas, K’Jae Thompson, Giovanni Wells
 
11-13 Girls (2 races on points, 4 entrants)
1st Nakisha Savory, 2nd Karkisha Auguiste, 3rd Erika Reyes, 4th Rene Clarence
 
11-13 Boys (6 races by elimination, 18 entrants)
Finalists: 1st Elijah Douglas, 2nd Xanté Chalwell, 3rd Earl Hazel, 4th Brian Paulino, 5th Devonte Prentice, 6th Clyron Lloyd, 7th Shéquan Wheatley, 8th Kian Chalwell, 9th Dekembe Parsons, 10th Mickiel Robins
Participants: Stefan Archer, Marlon Burke, Jahmal Herbert, Desean Jones, Miguel Joseph, Kaheem Keenan, Daylou Sutton, Meguell Titley
 
14-16 Girls (2 races on points, 2 entrants)
1st Kezia Gumbs, 2nd Keneisha Weeks
 
14-16 Boys (2 races on points, 4 entrants)
1st Orlando Savory, 2nd Mikey Joseph, 3rd Kenneth Freeman, 4th Sheke Isaac