Two No. 1s: Jersey goalkeeper Craig Fletcher, left, welcomes his Guernsey counterpart Chris Tardif onboard Condor Vitesse yesterday as the Channel Islands teams made their way to the Isle of Wight. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 1151003)

RYDE will be awash with people from 24 islands tonight as the 14th NatWest Island Games get under way in the Isle of Wight.

Almost 3,500 people will be taking part in the biennial event, with Team Guernsey being the second largest involved, behind only the hosts.

The Sarnian contingent left home yesterday lunchtime on Condor Vitesse, which already had Team Jersey onboard, and, according to International Island Games Association chairman Jorgen Pettersson, a warm welcome was waiting for them.

‘The Isle of Wight is like a microcosm of England, but with more sunshine,’ he joked.

‘The climate is great and the people are enthusiastic about the challenge they have taken on.’

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