MEMORIES are made with defining moments.
The Island Games has a brilliant knack of providing such moments in abundance.
Yesterday’s action was a prime example of that, as familiar faces added to their medal tally, while new ones made a name for themselves.
Sport loves to deliver an underdog story, and that came at Footes Lane.
Evan Campbell roared as he crossed the finish line in the 110m hurdles, in a personal best time of 15.09 seconds to beat the strong favourite from Saaremaa.
It was Campbell’s final event from five at the Guernsey Games, making his unlikely gold that much more impressive.
Jersey added an extra nine golds – including Campbell’s – on day five to their haul, taking them up to a total of 35 for the Games.
Unsurprisingly, our superb swimmers now account for 15 of those, with this year marking their most successful year in the pool ever at an Island Games, eclipsing the efforts from Bermuda in 2013.
To do it in Guernsey was all the more sweet.
Isaac Dodds’ sensational week continued, as he stood atop the podium for the seventh time, with victory in the 400m freestyle, while Gemma Atherley took her golden tally to four in the 100m freestyle.
Robbie Jones took the 100m backstroke, while the remaining gold came in the 4x50m mixed relay.
In archery, Lucy O’Sullivan continued her best-ever Games as she secured a clean sweep – five events entered, five gold medals.
Rhys Hidrio added a second individual gold in the men’s mountain bike cross country, and led the Islanders to team glory in the very same race.
There was yet more success in the table tennis, as men’s doubles duo Jordan Wykes and Luc Miller defended their crown in sublime fashion.
And there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the final day of action today.
Elliot Powell’s Jersey men’s team are set face Ynys Môn in the football final, after coming from 2-1 down against Isle of Wight to win 3-2.
Both Stuart Parker and Tash Forrest, who starred in their gold-winning teams, play in their respective finals of the singles tennis competition.
Meanwhile, it is the final day of action in the golf, where the women sit in pole position of the team event, with Flora Keites in second individually.
On the men’s side, Jo Hacker continues to lead the individual contest, and his team lie in second behind the Sarnians.
Island Games Pages 55-58
