Sharpe looks to motivate triathletes

Jamaica's top triathlete Lori Sharpe is hoping to use her experience to motivate the national junior team ahead of their participation at the inaugural CARIFTA Triathlon/Aquathlon/Mixed Relays Championship in Barbados from October 7-8.

Sharpe was selected as captain following a training session at the National Aquatic Centre on Sunday morning. She will lead an 11 member 13-19-year-old age group team that will participate in the first youth championship in the Caribbean.

The team departs tomorrow for the championship.

"We have a team for the first time, and it is even better for Jamaica to participate in this championship. And, it shows that we have been making progress. It is a great thing to have for the country," said Sharpe, who has been competing for Jamaica as an individual for the past few years, during the team's final training session.

"We have a pretty good team, we have athletes strong in all the three disciplines (biking, swimming and running). I am pretty confident that they will perform at their best. We want to represent Jamaica well," she said.

With regards to the coach Elisabeth Mondon, who represented France as a triathlete, Sharpe pointed out that it is good to have her in charge of the athletes.

"Our coach Elisabeth Mondon, has been doing a great job, and she is very competent in all three disciplines, and I am happy that she will accompany us to the championship," the 16-year-old St Andrew High lower-sixth form student added.

"I just try to encourage and motivate the others to do their best. I don't push pressure on them," she emphasised

Members of Jamaica's team to compete in their respective age groups are as follows:

Ethan Moore and Israel Allen will compete in the 11-12 group; Khalil Smith, Nathan Williamson, Kyle Lyew, Kemar Richards and Dimitri Moore in the 13-15; Jonathan Lyn (vice-captain), Zara Harris, Jonah McClure and Lori Sharpe in the 16-18 age group.

Donna-Kaye Sharpe, Lori's mother, is the team manager.