No stopping Thompson

Elaine Thompson who finished a close second in the 200 metres at last year's IAAF World Championships, and third earlier this year in the 60 metres at the World Indoor Championships, looks set for another successful season and will be the one to beat in the women's half-lap lap event at this weekend's Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships.

Thompson, who became the country's second fastest female ever over the 200m with a 21.66 seconds clocking for silver in Beijing last year, has started the season where she left off in 2015. She is the country's best so far in the event, a 22.16 clocking for third in Eugene, Oregon, behind American Tori Bowie and Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers.

Above local rivals

The Stephen Francis-coached sprinter is definitely a cut above her local rivals and should defend her title successfully.

After a third-place finish last year, veteran Veronica Campbell Brown seemed to be mellowing with age. Despite her vast experience, however, Campbell-Brown, who has a season's best of 22.29 will find Thompson a hard nut to crack but should gain a top two spot.

With Thompson and Campbell-Brown looking set to grab the first two spots it will be interesting to see who takes the third automatic spot.

With Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce not expected to double, it will be anybody's guess. Simone Facey, Anastasia Leroy, Anneisha McLaughlin Whilby, Kerron Stewart, Audra Segree and company will be in a close battle.

The very talented Facey has been dogged by injury in her senior career but after a break she seems to be finding some good form this season. She has a season's best of 22.63 and will be coming into the championships with a lot of confidence.

McLaughlin-Whilby is slowly finding her best form and will be hoping to improve on her season's best 22.78.

Former champion Stewart who was fifth a year ago also appears to be regaining some of her old good form after changing clubs for the second time in two years and she will also be eyeing a top three finish. She will, however, need a big improvement on her 2016 best of 22.99.

Top Three: 1. Elaine Thompson 2. Veronica Campbell-Brown 3. Simone Facey