Tennis players, left to right, Chantelle Frith, Tracey Hubert, Carly Tucknott and Jo Dyer soaking up the sunshine in Games Street. (0797182)
THE Guernsey competitors are loving everything about Aland.
Not only have they been taken with the incredibly picturesque Baltic island with its tranquil stretches of water that are enclosed by rich woodland, but they also experienced an enjoyable opening ceremony in the Wiklof Holding Arena on Saturday evening.
One Sarnian who particularly got caught up in the Island Games spirit was Tim Laine.
The veteran windsurfer had the honour of leading more than 220 Guernsey competitors as the flag-bearer.
‘I was a bit emotional. It was a great feeling and a great experience,’ said Laine. ‘It was a good ceremony. It was interesting.’
Another Guernsey competitor who had an official role in the proceedings was Nicole Hewlett.
The Ladies College’ swimmer, along with fellow 13-year-old Kate Stubbington, carried and poured Guernsey’s water in the all-important water ceremony.
‘It was fun and I wasn’t nervous,’ she said. ‘It was a good experience.’
Earlier in the day, a number of Guernsey sportsmen and women were enjoying themselves in the glorious sunshine on Games Street in the main town of Mariehamn.
It has stalls featuring arts and crafts from the island, ice cream sellers and at the bottom of the street, beer tents and a rock stage blasting out tunes.
‘I love it here and we’ve had a cool time so far,’ said the women’s tennis team captain Chantelle Frith. ‘It’s awesome and it’s so beautiful. It’s so clean and friendly as well.
‘We’ve had a practice and the courts are good. We’re raring to go. We want to win.’
The temperature got up to a sizzling 25C which the Sarnians clearly enjoyed.
‘It’s really good,’ said team doctor, Ian Gee. ‘I’ve never been up here before. The weather makes it. We’re enjoying ourselves.’
Another member of the Guernsey medical team who was clearly having a good time on Games Street was orthopaedic surgeon Ranjan Vhadra.
‘I’m absolutely loving it and I’m really enjoying myself,’ he said.
‘Hopefully no one will need my services, but I’m learning a lot from the others and I’ll take these skills back with me to Guernsey.’
An Island Games veteran, archer Steve Yates, was also full of praise for Aland.
‘It’s lovely and the weather helps of course,’ he said.
‘The range looks great. It’s a flat field with grass and there was no wind when we went up there this morning.’
Article posted on 29th June, 2009 - 2.29pm
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