Island Games: It’s the final countdown!

Island Games: It’s the final countdown!

Medal hopes are high for the first day of competition, particularly in triathlon where Jersey is defending the men’s, ladies and both team titles.Look out also for a possible gold for young Lauren Thérin in the women’s javelin and chances of a top three finish in the men’s cycling time trial and fullbore shooting.Thérin will be flying straight to Guernsey from the AAA Championships tomorrow where she is competing in discus and javelin.An early night after the opening ceremony is in order for our cyclists with the men’s, ladies and team time trials starting just after eight o’clock.The races will be held on the circuit at L’Erée and past the miles of sandy beaches along Guernsey’s picturesque west coast.The clay target shooters and badminton players are also in the spotlight with events starting first thing on the opening day of competition.The automatic ball trap and ISSF skeet team prizes are up for grabs on the Portinfer Range while the preliminary rounds of the badminton team event get under way at the Rohais-based Badminton Hall.Jersey’s men and ladies footballers have their first group matches tomorrow – the men against Froya at the Northfield at midday while the ladies face Isle of Wight at Victoria Avenue at 4 pm.The Fort Le Marchant range in the north of the island will also be a hive of activity and noise in the afternoon with the Pairs Queens II fullbore rifle competition.Belle Grève Bay will be a scene of colour and competition with the sailing and windsurfing taking place simultaneously.

There are three races each in the Laser Standard Rig and Mistral Prodigy Sailboards sections.A large athletics programme kicks off at five o’clock with the men’s high jump and continues until 9 pm with events including the 100m and 200m heats, women’s javelin and men’s shot putt.The table tennis and tennis team competitions also start tomorrow while the men’s and ladies’ volleyball teams are both in action in group games.Pembroke Bay and the north and west coasts will be the setting for the triathlon, which is traditionally always run on the first day of competition and is always well attended, where Jersey have a strong entry.

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