Danese Joseph was only five minutes away from the biggest fight of her taekwondo career and the adrenaline was pumping through her body.
But without throwing a single kick, the St. Croix native was announced the winner of the female heavyweight class and won the gold medal at the 2012 Canada Open in Toronto last weekend.
"I was in the zone," said the 20-year-old Joseph, who now lives and trains in Kissimmee, Fla. "We were standing right where they call the fights and I was ready to go. Then they told us the other girl withdrew from the fight because of an injury. Those things happen, I guess. I was thrilled with the gold."
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A large sailing turnout is expecting some windy conditions for the annual Cruzan Open One Design Regatta, which starts today and finishes Sunday at 1 p.m. near Teague Bay.
Event organizer Chris Schreiber said more than 35 sailors have already committed to the St. Croix Yacht Club event.
"This regatta has been going on for the last 10 years or so, and we're expecting more sailors this weekend compared to last year, which is a good thing," Schreiber said. "The Optimist Class has the biggest field. That means we've had a lot of help from parents. To make this event a success, we've also received some support from a lot of great local businesses."
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Junior Triathlon grand finale
ST. CROIX - The final race in the Junior Tri V.I. Series will be held at 8 a.m. on Sunday at Cramer Park. Entry fee is $5 per child and the event is open to youth triathletes from ages 5 to 15. There will be awards for top finishers in each of the four age groups, and each participant will receive a T-shirt. Race day registration opens at 7 a.m., and bike helmets, sneakers and a parent's signature is required for each participant.
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ST. THOMAS - Coaches at the V.I. Montessori School and International Academy made a commitment to soccer way before the formation of the St. Thomas-St. John IAA elementary soccer league.
The league debuted this season, and the Montessori players were ready to shine.
"Years ago, we decided that Montessori would be a soccer school, and even though we didn't have any official games, we practiced everyday," Montessori coach Adalio Araujo said. "Finally, we got the chance to prove ourselves."
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ST. THOMAS - Any time the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School soccer team needed a goal this season, it has looked to junior sweeper Steve Davoren.
Davoren delivered again Thursday as his free kick from just outside the penalty box made all the difference in an important 1-0 victory over the St. Thomas Combined Schools team in a St. Thomas-St. John IAA varsity match at the University of the Virgin Islands.
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Cricket and football all rounder Maxford Pipe successfully defended his home turf, and he joined Maria Mays from Tortola as the male and female winners of the inaugural Virgin Gorda Half Marathon and 6-Mile Challenge, held Saturday on the toughest road racing course in the British Virgin Islands.
The 13.1-mile race that looped around the Valley cutting off a portion each time, took runners on scenic vistas of Coppermine and the Baths, and was dubbed Round and Round Virgin Gorda. The event attracted 40 participants with proceeds going towards VISAR.
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Island Action 
