2026 Ends In Battle For Poseidon Award

The second annual Drowned Island Challenge took place the weekend of May 30th and 31st. Michael Sheesley from the US Virgin Islands and Imogen New from the British Virgin Islands vanquished the other competitors to win the Poseidon and Amphitrite awards in the six event challenge.

Competitors from mainland USA, Saint Croix, St. Thomas, and the British Virgin Islands, took part in the event. 10.25km (6.25km, 1000m, 3km) were covered on the first day between the run, swim, and paddle. 10km (6.5km, 3km, 500m) were covered on the second day, giving a total of 20.25 km distance covered over the six events on the two days. Tequila, rum, and Sol beer consumption was not counted.

Day one saw three races. The first race was a 6.25 km run from Anegada Beach Club to Cow Wreck Beach and back. Up along the hardpack sand road and back to the finish along the beach, with beautiful views of the north side of Anegada as they ran. After a brief break, the run was followed by a 1000m swim. This was two 500m laps with beach sprints to a checkpoint before re-entering the water for the second round. After free time to explore Anegada, the race day finished at 5:00pm with a sunset paddleboard race from Flamingo Pride to The Lobster Trap in Setting Point.

Happy hour libations were happily consumed by the competitors as they rolled into a beautiful evening dinner on the deck at Lobster Trap as the sun set.

The next morning started with a 6.5km run from Anegada Beach Club to The Lobster Trap, all along the hardpack road as the sun came up. A brief break was then held while the courses were marked for the second paddleboard race of the event – a new addition for 2026. During this pause, competitors all tucked into powershots, bars, and shakes provided by Balance Nutrition.

After this welcome sustenance, the competitors had an initially challenging but ultimately enjoyable 3km paddle from The Lobster Trap, through the Setting Point mooring field and around Pomato Point, to Sid’s Restaurant. The race finished with a sprint finish to the flag. After some brief R&R, the event concluded with a 500 metre swim out and back on a 250 metre course. This race was shortened from the previously advertised 1000m swim after a vote; two days of pretty high intensity activity in challenging Caribbean conditions had taken its toll.

The competitors were then free to go off and enjoy Anegada once more. In the evening there was a fun beach beer mile before prize-giving. A number of competitors took part in an island-style version of this race, as it was closer to a 0.68 mile beer mile on sand. This was won by Sean Osborne and Imogen New.

The final results proved the cliche that consistency is key. The event turned into a battle of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with Michael Sheesley from St. Thomas and Alejandro Ashe from St. Croix neck and neck for the Poseidon Award until the final swim. Alejandro went into the water one point ahead of Michael. However, Alejandro lost his way a bit allowing Sean Osborne to finish ahead of him, adding two points between him and Michael. Michael finished overall with 13 points, Alejandro was second with 14, Sean Osborne third with 16 points.

Imogen easily cleaned up the ladies, scoring six bullets amongst the contenders for the Amphitrite award. Yegane Guley and Emme De Villiers were drawn on points, but the tie-break went in Yegane’s favour giving her second place, and Emme third.

With prizes three deep for males and females for the run, swim, and paddle disciplines, there were plenty of people going home with awards at the end of the event. The prizegiving had a Montessori feeling about it.

Founding sponsor Horizon Yacht Charters and Andrew Thompson proved an important part of the event again, helping with the race logistics, management, and in particular water safety and mark setting for the swims and paddles. Tommy Gaunt of Tommy Gaunt Kitesurfing was equally valuable, helping with paddle transfers and drone footage. Balance Nutrition Studio provided some well-received pre-race power shots, post-race recovery shots, granola bars, and power shakes on the Sunday. BVI Tourist Board, Golden Hind Chandlery, and Ascentium provided much-needed financial support to ensure that the event went ahead for 2026. RTW/Powerade/Sol Beer provided additional hydration and powered the Beach Beer Mile.