Diary of the Games - Guadeloupe, May 2008

DAYS 1-3

The 41 strong IOW team of young athletes and coaches departed the island in the early morning hours of Friday May 23rd in order to make all the necessary connections to their final destination of Guadeloupe, a French island, shaped like a butterfly and located in the Caribbean.

While the trip from start to finish took 22 hours and involved several transfers, including a coach ride from Charles De Gaule to Orly on the busy Parisian "Peripheric" road crossing over the river Seine and glimpses of the Eiffel Tour, it was comforting to know that all other participating islands also had similar long journeys with some delegations like Mayote and French Polynesia requiring double the time to make it to Guadeloupe.

The whole Isle of Wight team spent the first night in the Creole Beach Hotel waking up early with some taking a plunge in the warm Caribbean sea. The team was then split up with each sport going to different accommodations; Athletics to Fort Royal, Tennis to Gosier, Swimming to Saint Anne, Surfing to Morne A Leau and the sailing team were lucky enough to stay put in Creole Beach. The nine swimmers managed a training session in the late afternoon and so did the 4 Tennis players.

Unlike previous years, the opening ceremony on Sunday started on time, actually even earlier than scheduled. The 20 island teams gathered in the stadium of Baie-Mahault located just outside of the capital of Pointe a Pitre. In a random order, one by one the teams marched onto the field to the loud cheers of spectators and walked slowly back to their appointed space on the bleachers.

Followed was a dance and music spectacle depicting the history of Guadeloupe from the native inhabitants to the invasion of Europeans, the introduction of slavery and Guadeloupe today. The performances were very well rehearsed and colourful and also included routines with martial art, fencing and children on bicycles. Followed were the official speeches which were no doubt less exciting.

Sailing, Surfing, Swimming and Athletics had their training sessions all on Sunday. Swimming start competiting Monday evening, Athletics Tuesday Morning, Sailing Monday Morning and Surfing Wednesday.

TENNIS DAY 1

IOW Boys 0 Cannaries 3

Tennis had an earlier start than expected with Ben Bradding, Johnny Foulkes and Ryan Todd playing their first match before the openning ceremony. Ben started as number one and was faced with a stiff challange against the number one seed from the Cannaries. After a slow start Ben eventually succumbed to a stronger spanish opponent (6-0, 6-2). Next to play was Johnny in the nuber two single match. Starting brightly Johnny played excellent tennis in the early exchanches, however his more powerful opponent prevailed 6-2 6-1. The final doubles of the first match ended with a 6-3 6-2 defeat. Island players Ryan Todd and Ben Brading were unlucky at times.

Boys will play Martinique next on Tuesday.

IOW Girls 1 Elba 2

Reagan Greenwood was victorious in her first Match defeating her opponent 7-5 6-3 to give the island their first win of the Games. Next on court was island number 2 Alexa Boswell who lost heavely to Elba's number 2 6-0 6-1. The deciding doubles was an entertaining affair with all four girls playing well, however the island's pairing of Reagan Greenwood and Katrina Norman were defeated 6-3 6-3.

TENNIS - DAY 2

Monday (Girls) After a close defeat to Elba (Italy) the previous day the girl's tennis cam up against local rivals Jersey. Reagan Greenwood was again number one and played against a girl she defeated not too long ago. The Jersey girl started the steadier winning the first 3 games. Reagan was clearly unnerved by her steadier opponent and made too many errors in the first set losing it 6-2. Although the second set was closer, Reagan was unable to turn things around and finally lost 6-2, 6-3.

Manager Tom Lyons switched players in the next match with Katrina Norman replacing Alexa Boswell. Katrina was out played in the first set losing it 6-1, however, she fought hard in the second and was unlucky to lose it 6-4.

The doubles rubber was taken by Jersey 6-4, 6-3.

SWIMMING

Monday evening saw the start of the swimming programme. The Island represented with quite a young team faced a very high quality field of swimmers, some of whom represent their respective countries.

In an eventful programme the island swimmers boasted 6 personal bests.

SWIMMING - DAY 1

Competition in Guadeloupe's national 50m pool got off to a flying start with island swimmers achieving 8 personal best swims on the first evening of racing. Annalise Jerram and Shannen Morris where the first on the blocks for the 50m fly and both swum in PB times. Francois Hmida and Jamie McDonald duplicated the girls efforts by both achieving pb times in the same event. Jamie swum under 30 seconds in a 2 seconds pb. and soon afterwards was extremely pleased to break the minute mark in 59.10 for a long course 100m front crawl. Frankie Baker also competed in the 100m free and won his heat two body length ahead of everyone in a pb time.

Only two swimmers are eligible to swim in each event and Katie Webb and Shannen were selected for the girls 100m free and both swum very close to best times.

The last event of the evening was the girls and boys 200 IM which saw both Sophie Alchin and Matthew Barber slash 2.5 seconds off their PB times.

The standard of swimming at these World Youth Island Games is very high but this along with the length of the pool (50m), which island swimmers seldom experience, did not hinder their performance in any way. While it is unlikely that our island swimmers will make the podium in Guadeloupe's Games, the experience they are gaining is invaluable.

SWIMMING - DAY 2

The second day of competition started mid morning in Guadeloupian sunshine, 30 C and fair trade winds with the team once again acquiring 8 more personal best swims. With news spreading around the team about the bronze medals the swimmers became inspired to do well again.

Melissa Hewison, who had not competed yesterday, was in the lane next to team mate Annalise in the 50m breaststroke. Both girls stayed neck to neck till Melissa split the lead in the last ten metres to win her heat and take a second off her best time. In the boys 50m breaststroke Francois and Matthew competed with Francois obtaining a small pb. Shannen and Katie swum next in the 50m free and Shannen pbed in a 30.91. In the boys 50 free Frankie and Jamie both swum their fastest time and Frankie's time of 28.47 equalled his 25m pb time, which, converted to 50m pool time, is almost a whole second drop.

Shannen had a cracking 100m fly race, never relenting and finishing in a 1.15.02, almost 2 seconds off her best.

A sprinter at heart, Jamie showed great stamina in the 200 back and slashed 7 seconds off his personal time.

Last but not least was Katie in the 800m free who kept a strong and steady pace and achieved a six seconds pb.

SWIMMING - Day 3

In the third day of racing the island swimmers obtained 10 personal best swim, the best result so far in three days of racing. Sophie Alchin started off the string of excellent swims with a 35.89 pb in the 50 back. Jamie also pbed in the 50 back and had an impressive 6 seconds pb in the 200 free. Frankie Baker also swum a good 200 free in pb time.

In the 100m breaststroke Melissa Hewison swum a best time and Annalise Jerram had a strong second 50 to swim just under her best.

For the boys 100m Breaststroke both Francois Hmida and Matthew Barber swum pbs and soon after raced together in the grueling 400 Im where again they both improved their times. Katie Webb also bettered her 400 IM time and Annalise was under but had a splendid opening 100 fly which was one second faster than in her 100 fly race!

The highlight of the evening was with the freestyle relays and the girls outouched Madeira by 2 tenth of a seconds thanks to all four swimmers effort but especially Sophie Alchin who split a 1.08.20, 2 seconds under her 25m best. In the boys 4 x 100m all four boys improved on their 100m split times.

SAILING - DAY 1

The sailors were greeted onto the water in true caribean style on Monday as the teams set out for the first group of races. With dancing and samba music playing the teams set out to the race course just of the coast of Gosier.

Three races were completed with morning session with Emma Baker finishing the first day 14th, Emma Gillett 21st, Brad Mclaughlin 19th and little Fred Warren -Smith a credible 5th. A long way to go for the young sailors ,but an enjoyable first day's racing.

Athletics and surfing were training.

TENNIS - DAY 3 - Tuesday (boys)

The Boys faced a different task in there next match, playing Martinique. It was quite simple for the boys - win and they go through to the quarter finals, lose and they play in the consolation draw.

Ben Brading again started as number one, and got off to a great start winning a very long first set 7-5. Although playing at 8.30am the temperature soon reached 30c and this really started to have an impact on Ben as he lost the second set 6-1. The long championship tie break came into play which Ben unfortunately lost 10 points to 4. A match that lasted 2 ½ hrs!

Jonny Foulkes was next on court, a win now vital for the team to have any chance of progressing forward. Things did not start well, as Jonny soon found himself losing the first set 6-1. However, in true fighter spirit, Jonny started to pull his game together when 3-2, he turned things round to win the second set 6-3. The championship tie break was played brilliantly by Jonny, winning it 10 -3.

The deciding doubles was now crucial - Ben now partnered up with Ryan Todd. With the match now approaching 4 hrs the boys played some fantastic tennis to win the doubles 7-5, 6-3. and therefore progress to the quarter finals where they face the host island Guadeloupe on Wednesday morning.

SAILING - DAY 2

In very difficult conditions the sailors ventured out onto the water for day 2. The conditions clearly favoured some of the bigger islands such as Canaries, Sicily, and Sardina, as there teams quickly started to dominate.

Isle of Wight positions after day 2, Brad 24th, Fred 22nd, Emma Baker 16th and Emma Gillett 23rd.

More details to follow.

ATHLETICS - DAY 1 - Tuesday
FIRST GAMES MEDALS!

Tuesday saw the athletics rise at 5.15 am to have breakfast and be on the coach for 6.15 am for a 75 min drive over switchback mountain roads close to cliff edges and with exceptional panoramic views of this wonderful Island,local residents all giving the coaches a wave as we went by.

On arrival at the track at Vieux de Habitants which has been completly refurbished for these games new track,new stand,and every piece of equipent from rakes to Judges platforms to Hammer Cages and pole and High Jump, at the training sessions on sunday we had to take all the throwing equipment out their boxes and unpack the starting blocks etc, we were met with temperatures of 28 to 30 degrees with the stand in full sunshine the Island team along with Jersey retreated to the shade behind the stand,with it being a bank holiday the little village store was closed so no cold drinks or ice pops.

First event on the track saw Paige Baldwin in the 100mtrs, Paige as our youngest member of the girls team,was not overawed by the occasion and rose to the challenge with a 4th place in her heat and a new Personal best.

Seond event brought our three 400metres girls to the track with the temperatures rising all the time,Ella Bilton ran a PB for her 4th place in her heat with Mollie Occomore in 5th.in the 3rd heat Jessica Andrews ran a PB in 4th place.

The Boys 400 now brought our three competitors to the start line Keno Mario Ghae finished third in his heat just outside his pb with the youngest member of the team still only 13 Ryan Tanswell in 4th place again just outside his PB. In the final heat Charlie Hibberd finished in 3rd place with a pb.

Next event was boys Long Jump in which Leon Phillips opened with a massive jump of well over 6 metres but was adjudged a foul with a no jump in the 2nd round Leon then made a 5.82 mt jump but missed out on the cut for the final 8 as did Jonny Warren with 5.42m

In the boys Shot Putt Keino Mario Ghae and Charlie Occomore finished in10th and 11th place with both throwing PBs.

With the teamperature now rising to 34-36 degrees the athletes were finding it harder as we approched miday.

Next it was the girls turn on the track with Aiya Abe in the 1500mtrs,with her split times on her hand Aiya was totally focussed and looked very comfortable after the 1st lap by the second lap a group of 6 had broken away on the 3rd lap this had shrunk to a group of 4 with Aiya still in contention in 4th place on the final aiya was 20 metres adrift of 3rd place but over the last 150 metres steadily bore down on the third place runner with the scream of the crowd particulary the Island Team and supporters,ringing in her ears she tore past the third placed athlete to win the bronze medal by half a second.

Within miutes Lizzie Lovegrove had added another Bronze Medal in the Discus,after being out in the field for 1 hour 45 minutes in these very hot conditions put together her best ever series of consistant throws with throws over 27mtrs -- 28 mtrs --- 29mtrs----30mtrs-- no throw and a bronze medal throw of 32.02 another Pb for the team.

Final Events saw the relay teams after their efforts in their individual events coming together in 36 degrees with the girls team of Ella Bilton-Mollie Occome-Paige Baldwin and Jessica Andrews first off gaining a 7th place.

For the boys Leon Phillips-Jonny Warren --Ryan Tanswell--and Keino Mario Ghae also gaing 7th place with a time very close to the club record.

After day 1 the girls are in 5th place with the boys in 8th place in the combined tables we are in 8th place

Today competitions are in the evening so hopefully not too hot,it must be remembered that these children are in some cases 2 or 3 years older than ours so their performances are excellent under these conditions.

ATHLETICS - DAY 2 - Wednesday

Competition started at 5pm we left our hotel at 1pm and returned for supper at 9.30 pm another long hot day.

First event on the second day was girls Hammer with Mollie Lovegrove again out in the sun for over an hour gaining Mollie Occomore 9th and Lizzie Lovegrove 10th.

Charlie occomore was the next athlete in the arena for the triple jump jumping 11.53 to equal his pb for14th place.

The girls in the 200mtrs were next on track with Paige Baldwin 3rd in her heat in a new PB wIth Mollie Occomore in 5th Ella Bilton was 5th in her heat.

Jessica Andrews found the conditions hard in the 800 metres but still finished in 8th place in the final.

Charlie Hibberd surely the smallest person in the race stood in lane 5 in the final
with a giant of a 17 year old from the Canaries who eventually won the race with Charlie just outside his PB in 8th place

100 Metres next on track saw Jonny warren set a new Pb with a 4th place in his heat.
Leon Phillips and Ryan Tanswell competed in the final heat in lane 1 and 8 with Leon in 6th place and Ryan in 7th only just outside his Pb

Ella Bilton struggling with a blister on her foot gained 15th place in the long jump.

Keno Mario Ghae was placed 9th in the Discus just missing the final 8 cut by a few centimetres and Charlie Occomore in 13th place.

Keno Mario Ghae then competed in the 400 hurdles only the third time he has take part in this event running strongly throughout Keno made 5th olace only1.5 secs off a medal posisition with a new Pb of 58.53

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