British athletes secured five medals representing their respective home nation at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jersey’s Luke Holmes secured a gold medal in the Youth men’s race, winning by 17 seconds after producing the fastest run of the day. Scotland’s Alex Robin secured a silver medal with Australia’s Jack Latham in third.
Holmes exited the water alongside Robin, with just five seconds separating the pair heading onto the bike. On the 10km bike course they were amongst the leading pack before they broke away on the run with Holmes crossing first to take top spot. Northern Ireland’s Oliver Duffield and Sean Carragher were 13th and 19th respectively.
Holmes said: “I particularly liked how the race played out in the individual event having a group of three to work with and pull away from the chasing pack and it came down to a running race.
“The whole process from media to ceremonies around the medal process was exciting and added excitement to the achievement. It was definitely an honour to represent Jersey in Triathlon, with most big races representing GB it was nice to get a big race for Jersey under my belt.”
Robin added: “It was a great opportunity to race in a different location against athletes I didn’t know but the heat provided a big challenge. It is always an honour to race for team Scotland which didn’t happen very often.
“It was a unique experience being in a country so different to ours but enjoyable all the same, enjoyed being able to mix with athletes from other sports and countries.”
In the Youth women’s race Jessica Heeps secured Scotland’s second medal as she won silver behind Aspen Anderson of Australia. Heaps was joined by Jersey’s Siena Stephens throughout the swim and the bike, with the pair posting identical times at the front of the field heading onto the run. On the run, Heaps pushed on to secure her silver medal with Stephens narrowly missing out on a podium place as she finished fifth.
Heeps said: “I really enjoyed racing! It was a great experience, and I am so thankful for the opportunity. I found the heat during the relay a bit challenging but overall it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would.
“I am very happy about the medal. I was not expecting it at all. My aim was to get top 5 so getting silver was amazing.”
The mixed youth relay saw the Scottish pair of Robin and Heeps take home a silver medal behind the Australians with Jersey coming in third place as Holmes and Stephens secured the bronze medal.
Stephens said: “I really enjoyed the races. Both were really challenging due to the heat but to come away with fifth in the individual and third in the relay was amazing. It was really good to medal especially being part of the team with Luke, which made it more special.”
