Friday 29 March 2024
 7.3°C   SE Light Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

2015 NatWest Island Games / Games end with triumph on the running track

Silver medal winning hammer thrower Elaine Park can't take the grin off her face as she wields the Shetland flag at the closing ceremony in Jersey. Photo: Shetland Island Games Association

TEAM Shetland is celebrating after completing one of its most successful Island Games with 23 medals that put it in tenth place overall.

Hammer thrower Elaine Park who won silver on Wednesday, her first medal in eight games, held the Shetland flag aloft at the closing ceremony in the baking heat of Jersey’s Howard Davis Park.

Friday proved to be a day of success and surprise on the running track, while on the football pitch a spectacular free kick from Menorca was enough to edge a spirited Shetland out of a bronze medal by one goal to nil.

Manager Niall Bristow and his players can still be more than satisfied with their week’s work, with fourth place the best the footballers have done in a games outside of Shetland.

The father-daughter duo of Gordon Keith and Shona Mackay also lost the mixed badminton doubles final to Gotland, but will return to the isles content with a silver.

However joy was the order of the day for the startling 100 metre women’s relay team who overtook the opposition to take gold.

And Katie Bristow was elated at taking silver in the 5,000 metres after being forced to bow out of the 10,000 metres on Wednesday, which she had been hoping to win after leading at the halfway stage.

Bristow told BBC Radio Shetland’s Jane Moncrieff that she had not expected to win a medal in the 5,000 metres, having set her heart on gold in the 10,000m.

“I came to the Games hoping for a medal mostly in the 10K so with that disappointment to come out with a medal makes me over the moon and very emotional,” she said.

Jersey’s Sarah Mercer took gold in the race, which she competes in at Commonwealth Games level, but Bristow was almost 100m ahead of her nearest rival after sprinting to the finishing line.

Meanwhile the women’s relay team also declared themselves “over the moon” with their result.

Tamar Moncrieff, Faye Cox, Christie Grant and Sophie Moar were confident throughout and Moar overtook Jersey in the final stretch to take gold.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.

Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.

Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has  over 600 supporters  who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.

Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -

  • Bring you the headlines as they happen;
  • Stay editorially independent;
  • Give a voice to the community;
  • Grow site traffic further;
  • Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.

 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

We're committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to impartial, open and quality local journalism that benefits all residents.

By supporting Shetland News, you play a vital role in ensuring we remain a pivotal resource in supporting the community.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.