We've already set the gold bar standard
WE may be only hours into the 2011 NatWest Island Games but already Guernsey's performance is of gold standard.
WE may be only hours into the 2011 NatWest Island Games but already Guernsey's performance is of gold standard.
While nothing can ever be a foregone conclusion, London 2012 Olympic hopeful Lee Merrien's victory in the half marathon will have come as little surprise to many.
All eyes will now be on the Great Britain international and Olympic marathon hopeful to repeat his gold rush in the 10,000m which the Sarnian is scheduled to take part in later this week.
Yet such is the form, confidence and spirit riding high throughout all our squad this year that you feel Team Guernsey has already claimed the top of the leaderboard as its rightful home for the rest of the tournament.
Let's hope so.
And if the predictions are right then we can expect to see a historic haul of medals heading back across the Channel by the end of play.
As our centre-pages reveal today, the event has already got off to an auspicious start with Lord Coe taking time out from his busy London 2012 schedule to officially open these Games.
That support and recognition is bound to have given a boost to our island's sportsmen and women who are keen to make their mark in the Isle of Wight showcase and fly the island's flag with pride.
This morning Guernsey heads the medal table with five golds – including one for cyclist Ann Bowditch and another for our women's team in the criterium – two silvers and a bronze, with the individual results suggesting another silver has been won in the men's team criterium.
Already, one of the most genuine things about the event, as revealed by our own Guernsey Press reporting team who are there throughout the week, is the true sporting atmosphere surrounding the 'Friendly Games'.
Yet with 24 islands taking part, of which Team Guernsey is the second-largest behind only the hosts, this 14th tournament is clearly poised to be a fiercely competitive encounter.
Hopefully, the positive portents are right and Guernsey's impressive start continues, ensuring 2011 is remembered as Guernsey's most successful away Games ever.
