The 42nd Carifta Games gets underway with an opening ceremony in the state of the Art Thomas A Robinson Stadium at 5 P.M. tonight, March 29, 2013. Photo: Provided

Practice for this evening's Opening Ceremony started weeks ago and the March Pass of Athletes, including the 24 from Team BVI, is scheduled for 6 P.M. Photo: Provided

The VI contingent all arrived safely in the Bahamas on Thursday and despite some delayed flights and the temperature being a little cooler, all have settled into their routines and are looking forward to the competition.

Over 540 Athletes have registered from 23 Caribbean Countries and Team BVI is the 5^th largest team attending the games, sitting behind the hosts, Jamaica, who both have 70 athletes, Trinidad and Tobago (44) and Barbados (28). Bermuda has one less athlete than the BVI’s 24 and then comes the likes of Grenada (13), St Kitts (9), Guyana (9), Dominica (7) and St Lucia (6).

These games will mark the seventh time that the event will be held in the Bahamas, the other years being 1976, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1992 and 2002.

Traditional power house Jamaica have 6 defending champions from the 2012 games in their team, but all of the BVI medal holders are also in attendance, Tynelle Gumbs (Javelin Gold), Trevia Gumbs (silver), Nelda Huggins (silver) and the 4 x 100 m relay team of Lakeisha Warner, Jonelle Lacey, Taylor Hill and Huggins (silver).

The medal haul of 5 was the best effort so far from the team, but with increased participation there is an air of confidence for more success.

Last Year the Jamaicans picked up 52 medals, the Bahamas 25 and T&T 15, but the Games are no easy pickings as proven by the fact that the likes of Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt and Kiwani James are still record holders from their appearances at the games.

The Territory’s athletes will also be facing some fresh challenges as a few of them have moved up from Under 17 to the Under 20 age bracket, which means they will be facing competition from older athletes as well, but rest assured they are well prepared and ready to stake claim to podium finishes.

Competition starts on Saturday Morning, March 30, 2013 and the Opening Ceremony this afternoon from 5 P.M. with the athletes march pass scheduled for 6 P.M., all of which should be available on CBN Channel 51.

However, the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas has also signed an agreement with ESPN International that would allow ZNS’ HD Carifta Bahamas 2013 broadcast feed to be streamed on the ESPN International broadband platform and to televise three one-hour highlight shows of the 2013 CARIFTA Games on ESPN International networks throughout the world.

BVI Athletes schedule of Events.

U17 Girls: Nelda Huggins, 100/200; 100m heats Saturday 5.00pm; 200m heats 5.00pm Sunday

 L’Tisha Fahie, 100m; heats 5.00pm Saturday

 Tarika  Moses, 400m; heats start 11.15am Saturday- finals 7.00pm Saturday

Judine Lacey, 400m;  heats start  11.15am Saturday- finals 7.00pm Saturday

Lakeisha  Warner, 800m. heats 10.40am Sunday

Deya Erickson, 100m Hurdles; 9.00am Saturday

 Kala Penn, Long Jump/Triple Jump; long jump 3.30pm Sunday- triple jump 5.00pm Monday

 Ashley Penn, Long Jump/Penthatlon; pentathlon events start 9am Saturday, long jump 3.30pm Sunday

 Kiwana Emmanuel, Shot Put/Javelin Throw. Shot put 11am Saturday; javelin 2.30pm Monday

Boys: Kyron McMaster, 200/400m; 400m heats 11.30 Saturday- finals 7.00pm Saturday; 200m heats 5.15pm Sunday

 Deshawn Douglas, 200/400m; 400m heats 11.45 Saturday- finals 7.00pm Saturday; 200m heats 5.15 Sunday

Tahj Malone, High Jump; 3.30pm Sunday

 Kadeon Potter, Shot Put; 9.00am Sunday

U20 Girls: Taylor Hill, 100/200m; 100m heats 5.20pm Saturday -  200m heats 5.30pm Sunday

 Jonel Lacey, 200m; heats start 5.30pm Sunday

 Shaian Vandenburg, 100m; heats 5.20pm Saturday

 Trevia Gumbs, Shot Put/Discus Throw;  shot put 5.40pm Saturday; discus 7.30pm Sunday

Tynelle Gumbs, Javelin Throw/Discus Throw; discuss 7.30pm Sunday; javelin 4.00pm Monday

Boys: Shaquoy Stephens, 200/400m; 400m heats 11.45am Saturday- finals 7.00pm Saturday; 200m heats 5.45pm Sunday

Khari Herbert, 200/400m; 400m heats 11.45- finals 7.00pm Saturday; 200m heats start 5.45pm Sunday

Tarique Moses, 800m; heats 10.00am Sunday

Eldred Henry, Shot Put/Discus Throw;  discuss 10.00am Saturday - shot put 4.00pm Monday

 Brandon Andrew, 110m Hurdles/Long Jump. Long jump 7.15pm Sunday

 Ryan Joseph, 4x400m Relay reserve.