The 32-year-old physiotherapist clocked a winning time of 2.10.49 and beat Guernsey’s silver-medallist Gail Merrien by almost six minutes.Messervy exited the 1,500m swim in fourth place but by the middle of the 40k cycle she had taken over at the head of the race and never looked back.She established an unassailable lead in what is her strongest discipline – completing the bike run 3.5 min faster than anyone else – and then produced a strong run along Guernsey’s north and west coasts, again being the fastest in the field.Afterwards a delighted, yet relieved, Messervy described how the win outshone last year’s incredible day.’It’s fantastic winning gold and I’m so glad that I managed it because obviously there was quite a lot of pressure,’ she beamed.
‘The win was better than last year because there’s a lot more pressure.
Last year I had no idea but this year everyone was expecting it and I was really hoping that I could pull it off.’And she had special praise for the Jersey supporters who cheered her on during a torrential downpour in the middle of the race.’It was pretty grim out there so I’d like to say a big thank you to the Jersey supporters because they stuck it out when it was hammering with rain,’ she said.
‘We’re used to those conditions more than the Bermuda and Caymans so we had a bit of an unfair advantage with the weather.”I’d really like to thank Gary Jones the team manager – he’s been absolutely fantastic – and all the Jersey team have been behind me all the way.
Obviously my close family as well – my husband and my parents-in-law who came all the way from New Zealand.’Jersey’s women emulated the men’s performance by winning the team gold.
Bronze medallist from two years ago, Samantha Kemp came home in sixth place in a time of 2.25.41 while Norma Illing finished 12th (2.34.02) and Beccy Roberts came 16th (2.37.50).
