LUCY Woodward put in a star turn at Footes Lane to claim Jersey’s first athletics gold of the Games.
Her jump of 11.01 was enough to see off the threat of Faroe Islands’ Bára Jógvansdóttir Glerfoss and Gotland’s Hilda Östergren.
‘I’m in shock,’ Woodward said after winning gold.
‘It was such a close competition – everyone jumped really, really well.
‘Towards the end, we’re all so close so anything could happen.
‘I’m a heptathlete, so last time [in Gibraltar] I think I did 200m, high and long, and I only took triple up during the indoor season because I was having problems with my hip and my coach, Mike Homes, loves triple jump. He said to try it as a plan B.
‘I was obviously very nervous but as we jumped everyone was jumping better by the last three jumps.
‘The atmosphere is great. I don’t usually get that nervous but I walked into the stadium and the reality kicked in.’
Woodward has plenty of opportunities to add to her medal tally this week, as she will also be competing in both relays, the 200m, 100m hurdles, long jump, shot put and javelin.
Glerfoss, who pushed the Jersey athlete all the way, said: ‘It’s very motivational when there’s so many people cheering for you and also the competition is so close.
‘That makes me want more. I really wanted to go over 11 metres today but I was so close.
I jumped 10.97 – but it was still a PR so I’m happy for that and, yes, I’m very proud.’
There was disappointment for Evan Campbell as he missed out on a podium spot in the high jump on countback. Regan Corrin and James Margrave completed an Isle of Man 1-2.
Isle of Wight’s Andy Frost took gold in the men’s hammer while Guernsey’s Sarah Roe battled to 10,000m gold.
Jersey’s Lucci Baker qualified for the 400m final, due to take place this evening, while Jamie Oldham and Steve Mackay both won their 100m heats and will line up for the semi-finals today. Mackay and Oldham recorded the second and third fastest times in qualifying respectively.
Tyler Johnson will be part of the 400m final, having snuck into the final qualifying place with a time of 50.20.
But Lucy Cohu and Danielle Wilkinson both missed out on a spot in the women’s 100m final.
