Bichard victory typifies spirit

By Rob Batiste

GUERNSEY hit the golden trail across Rhodes yesterday with five gold medals lifting them to within striking distance of Jersey after two of the six days of competition. The Sarnians, who have topped the overall medals table at the last two Games, lurk in second spot - perhaps third - and their tally is remarkably similar to the same stage in Shetlands two years ago.

Then, Guernsey trailed Isle of Man and Jersey with seven golds, six silver and nine bronze,

There was no more heroic performer yesterday than 22-year-old cyclist Meggie Bichard. Despite crashing in the mountain biking criterium she picked herself up and stormed through to take the gold on her Games debut.

Guernsey teammate, Rob Smart, praised Bichard’s brave effort.

‘After crashing horribly when she was about 20 seconds ahead, she had to make up a big deficit and just reeled in the Bermudan girl and she was well clear by the end,’ he said.

Guernsey’s other golds came from athletes Tom Druce and Kimberley Goodall, swimmer Jeremy Osborne and the men’s tennis team.