Bermuda: Athletes raring to go after ‘fantastic’ opening ceremony

Top isles swimmer Andrea Strachan and distance runner Karl Simpson proudly did the ceremonial honours as water-carrier and flag-bearer for Team Shetland as the curtain was raised on this year’s NatWest Island Games.

Team manager Andrew Inkster said the opening ceremony had been a great experience. Thanks to a fireworks display after darkness fell at the National Stadium, just to the east of capital Hamilton, the games got off to a bang on Saturday evening.

“Suffice to say that the opening ceremony was a fantastic start to the week with music, dance and not-too-long speeches!” Inkster told The Shetland Times. “Both Karl and Andrea greatly enjoyed the occasion and said it was an honour to represent Shetland at the opening ceremony.”

Nine-year-old local Aaron carried Team Shetland’s banner. Inkster said he was a keen cyclist and could be one to keep an eye out for in future games. “Obviously, Aaron thinks that Team Shetland is the best – after Bermuda!”

The isles’ lone sailor Maggie Adamson said she had an “awesome” second day’s training on Saturday.
 
“There were about 12 boats from around eight different islands all training together,” she said. 

“This is what the island games are all about. Tomorrow we are racing against each other! Wind is pretty shifty on the race course but around 20 knots today and great waves downwind. Forecast is for slightly less the rest of the week.”

The sporting action kicks off with the triathlon event at 7.30am local time, or 11.30am UK time. Keep checking www.shetlandtimes.co.uk for regular updates on the fortunes of Shetland’s athletes.