Sports
BVIOC, BVIAA pay tribute to Patrick O. Harrigan
By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor
Two prominent sporting organisations in the territory have paid tribute to former athlete and sports administrator Patrick O. Harrigan who passed away Wednesday evening (Feb. 8), reportedly, after a prolonged illness. He was 65.
In a Facebook post, the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) expressed condolences to the Harrigan family and remembered Harrigan as one of the most experienced certified starters in this region.
“His presence and dedication to the growth of the sport will be greatly missed. Rest in peace brother Harrigan,” the BVIAA said.
The BVI Olympic Association (BVIOC) said in a lengthier statement “it is with great sadness” that it learned that Harrigan died on the night of Wednesday, February 8 – just one week shy of his 66th birthday.
The BVIOC further stated that Harrigan will be remembered by the organisation for his significant contribution to sports in the territory — first as an outstanding basketball player and then as acting director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) where he served in the role for a number of years.
Harrigan was the official starter of the 2016 CARIFTA Games held in St. George’s, Grenada and also served in that role for a number of local and regional track meets, according to the BVIOC.
“He was a keen volleyball player and an avid cricketer. Patrick was the founder of the BVI Grasshoppers Skipping Rope team that toured and competed locally, regionally and internationally. Our sincere condolences to Mr. Harrigan’s family,” the BVIOC statement concluded.
Other tributes and condolences have been pouring out on social media for Harrigan who was also a former basketballer, track and field athlete, and referee.
One notable contribution came from a Roger Williams via Facebook.
It reads: “I knew Patrick Harrigan aka Dr. T or Guava Tart (his favourite Tart) or just Tart from boyhood days, he was a Sports Icon he played Basketball, Softball and Volleyball and eventually became a referee in Basketball and Volleyball he excelled tremendously in Basketball at Power Forward with his smooth 12 to 15ft turnaround jump shot on offence, on defence he was a very good rebounder and shotblocker once you got in his reach, he was the major player for his team the infamous A’s of Road Town winning championships in 79, 82 and 83 that I can recall. He was a strict disciplinarian he was the starter for track races at the various schools on their sports day on the field (AOSRG). He also coached and mentored many of us youths through the years and was a Senior Sports Officer with the DYAS. He was a man of great humility and one that I admired over the years. I was told that his mother the late Luella Harrigan baby sitted me and my younger siblings in the late 60s when we lived in Road Town when mother worked at Sylvia’s Laundry and Government House. We have lost a Sports Icon, Legend and a compassionate man. He will be missed by all who knew him. My Condolences 🙏to the entire family and friends. Hey, Guava Tart rest well my friend 💔.”
The British Virgin Islands will be well represented on the global stage later this month as sprinters Beyoncé Defreitas and Rikkoi Brathwaite prepare to compete at the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Tokyo. The BVI Athletics Association officially announced their selection for the prestigious competition, set to take place from March 21 to 23 at the Nanjing Sports Training Center.
Brathwaite, a semi-finalist at last year’s Indoor World Athletics meet, will take to the track on March 21 for the 60m preliminaries at 9:10 a.m. local time. If he advances, he will return for the semifinals at 4:10 p.m. the same day. Defreitas will follow on March 22, with her 60m preliminaries scheduled for 7:15 a.m. and semifinals at 4:15 p.m.
The BVI is aiming to add to its medal count at the World Indoor Championships, with its sole podium finish coming in 2008 when Tahesia Harrigan-Scott secured bronze in the 60m sprint in Valencia, Spain. Now, Brathwaite and Defreitas look to make history once again for their nation.
Accompanying the athletes will be Ralston Henry, a World Athletics-certified senior coach, who will serve as both coach and team manager for the Championships.
The team is set to depart for Tokyo on March 13, ready to compete against the world’s best.
Local News
Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team Wraps Up 44Cup Nanny Cay with Solid Progress and Eyes on Porto Cervo
The Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team completed its participation in the 44Cup Nanny Cay on a strong note, with all races finished under ideal conditions, including 15-18 knot winds and clear skies. The team’s performance showcased marked progress as they competed in a high-level fleet, demonstrating their growing capabilities within the class.
Throughout the day, the team made strategic adjustments to adapt to the changing conditions. Starting with the J3 jib for the first few races, they switched to the J2 jib for later races, maintaining consistent performance. Particularly noteworthy were their starts and the first windward mark roundings, where the team matched up well against the top contenders in the field. Although Charisma and Aleph Racing battled it out for the title, newer teams like GeMera and Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team used the final race to refine their coordination and continue gaining experience.
Looking ahead, the Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team is now focused on the next stop of the 44Cup circuit in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, scheduled for May 15-18, 2025. With key learnings from Nanny Cay, the team is eager to make further strides, especially with the anticipation of racing with their own boat in Porto Cervo.
“We’ve completed a very demanding event, facing some of the world’s best crews. While the results don’t yet reflect our full potential, we leave with invaluable experience and the certainty that with our own boat at the next event, we will be able to compete under better conditions,” said tactician Alfredo González.
As the 44Cup continues to grow, the Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team remains committed to using the competition as a platform for talent development, combining experienced sailors with promising young prospects. With their new boat designed specifically to meet their needs, the team aims to close the gap and emerge as a stronger contender in future events, including the overall standings.
For more information on the 44Cup Nanny Cay and race results, visit 44cup.org.
For more on the Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team, visit lanzarotecalerosailingteam.com.
16 February 2025 – 44Cup Nanny Cay
The British Virgin Islands cricket team claim the USVI President’s Cup title, defeating the St. Thomas All-Stars by 57 runs in the championship final at the George E. Goodwin Cricket Ground on February 16.
After winning the toss, BVI elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 170 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Joel Williams led the scoring with 36 off 27 deliveries, supported by contributions from Ameri Hinds and Yohann Lezama, who each added 25 runs. Shelan Isidore provided late momentum, smashing 30 off just 15 balls. St. Thomas struggled to contain the BVI batting lineup, with bowler Dane Weston conceding 46 runs in his four overs while managing to claim one wicket.
Chasing 171 for victory, the St. Thomas All-Stars struggled against a disciplined BVI bowling attack and were dismissed for 113 in their full 20 overs. Collin Joseph was the top scorer for St. Thomas with 31 off 32 balls, while Samuel Jones added 18. BVI’s Julian St. Clair was instrumental in restricting the opposition, taking four wickets for just 10 runs in his two-over spell. Dhanpaul Chrisnanand and Imran Smith chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring St. Thomas never gained momentum.
For his match-winning bowling performance, St. Clair was named Man of the Match. BVI also claimed several individual accolades, with Ameri Hinds earning the MVP award for his all-around contributions—78 runs, two catches, and one wicket. St. Clair also took home the Most Wickets award, while St. Thomas’ Doyle Jones secured the Most Runs award with 69 runs in the tournament.
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