Photo: Allan V. Crane
two editions, fans will be hoping for a home win in 2017. Road running continues throughout the year with half marathons and the ever popular 5km events almost every weekend. Easter time through to May is a hotbed of track and field activity, with long standing events including the Southern Games (8th-9th April) and the Hampton International (27-28th May) providing local athletes with foreign competition before the National Championships in June. These events are the birthplaces of T&T’s Olympic medallists, past, present and future. It’s a chance to view our gold medal javelin throwers - Keshorn Walcott (London Olympics) and Akeem Stewart (Rio Paralympics) - in action. Testing courses, great weather & surroundings and probably some the best ‘19th holes’ to be found, means that the golf calendar is bursting at the seams. Three day tournaments to single day events at the six courses on the island cover all handicaps. The Sagicor Tournament (22-23rd April) and Cotton Tree Foundation Charity Tournament in May are but two of the many popular competitions in an elongated schedule from January to November. In other words, you’re spoilt for choice. To the water now, with powerboat racing and the Carib Great Race in particular, capturing the imagination year after year. On the morning of 26th August 2017, it will be roar of the engines piercing the dawn calm as drivers tackle the arduous open water route from Port of Spain to Scarborough. Dragon Boat racing
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has become supremely popular in a short space of time, with Chaguaramas, now home to many regattas, the most popular the Dragon Boat Festival on 8th October. Preceding that, on the southern shores of the island, is May’s Point Fortin Borough Day Regatta. Game fishing in Trinidad’s waters is a supreme test, mastered by the skilful participants of the many contests put on by the Game Fishing Association. March’s Wahoo Tournament is the most popular, with many thousands of pounds caught and released as part of the conservation exercise. Days on the water don’t get much better. The Sport of Kings has a rich tradition in Trinidad, held at the Horseracing Complex in Arima. It’s a grand day out, amplified by the Triple Crown of the Easter Guineas, the Midsummer Classic (May 30th) and the Derby (16th September). Road and track cycling together with mountain biking, have strong traditions too, with the Easter weekend Grand Prix a staple of the holiday period, while in September and October huge crowds gather for the Republic Day Classic (24th Sept) and the night time Cycling on D’Avenue (4th October). With Racquet sports thriving year round, motor racing at Wallerfield on a monthly basis and the basketball courts filled daily, there is always an opportunity to watch sport or better yet, take part. For 2017, as it has done every year; sports in Trinidad will continue its phenomenal growth.
SPORTS .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................