Steer Breaks 15-Year BVI Swim Record
Young swimmer Skylar Steer has rewritten the record books by shattering a 15-year-old British Virgin Islands national age-group record at the 34th OECS Swimming Championships in Saint Lucia. Steer clocked 2:46.54 in the Girls 9 to 10 200-metre freestyle, eclipsing the previous mark set by Olympian Elinah Phillip in 2011. The milestone came alongside personal best times for all 11 members of the BVI national swim team during the regional meet.
Young swimmer Skylar Steer has written her name into the British Virgin Islands sporting history books after shattering a 15-year-old national age-group record at the 34th Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships in Saint Lucia. Competing in the Girls 9 to 10 200-metre freestyle event, Steer delivered an exceptional performance, touching the wall with a record-setting time of 2:46.54.
The blistering swim eclipsed the previous national benchmark set in 2011 by standout Virgin Islands swimmer and Olympian Elinah Phillip. Steer’s historic achievement served as the centerpiece of an outstanding campaign for the entire Virgin Islands delegation at the regional competition, which ran from November 6 to 8.
All 11 members of the BVI National Swim Team achieved personal best times across their respective events, underscoring the steady development and rising quality of aquatic sports in the Territory. According to the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), the squad achieved an impressive tally that included 10 A-standard and three AA-standard qualifying times.
The young athletes also secured seven top-six individual finishes and four top-six relay finishes against tough regional competition. The performance reflects a promising future for Virgin Islands swimming, particularly given that Steer surpassed a mark held by Phillip, who remains an inspiration for young swimmers across the Caribbean.
The meet highlighted the growing depth of talent emerging from local swim clubs and youth development programmes. In an official statement celebrating the team's achievements, the BVIOC commended the squad for representing the Territory with distinction. "Every swimmer contributed to the team’s achievements, showing dedication, determination and progress on the regional stage," the BVIOC stated.
The Committee, which provided key support to facilitate the team’s travel and participation, also extended heartfelt gratitude to the coaching staff, team manager, parents, dedicated supporters, and championship organizers for making the successful regional outing possible.
Primary source: BVI Platinum