By Isle of Wight Observer
The 20th International Island Games, held on the Orkney Islands, has concluded with the Isle of Wight team returning home with a haul of 6 Gold, 3 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals, finishing 7th out of 24 in the overall medals table. The Island placed ahead of teams such as Gibraltar, Bermuda, Menorca and the Shetland Islands, marking a successful week of competition across multiple disciplines.
In sailing, there was double Gold for Oliver Mayo in the ILCA 6 class and Arthur Farley in the ILCA 7 division. The pair then teamed up with Oliver Smith and Harry White to secure first place in the team event, adding a third Gold to the sailing tally. Arthur’s achievement was particularly inspiring, having spent a year off the water battling a rare form of leukaemia. Harry White, of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and named British Young Sailor of the Year in 2022, also claimed Bronze in the ILCA 7 class.
In golf, Sophie Bersald took Women’s Gold, and joined Lucy Burke, Caroline Johnson, and Jemma Keen to claim team Gold. In men’s golf, Nathaniel Riddett earned Bronze, and was also part of the Bronze-winning team alongside George Foreman, Conner Knight, and Christopher Hayward.
Swimming success came from George Hayward, competing in his second Games, who won Gold in the 100m (109yd) backstroke and Silver in the 50m (55yd) backstroke. William Davidson added to the medal count with Bronze in the 200m (219yd) breaststroke.
In athletics, Amy Kelland secured Silver in the Women’s 10,000m (6.2 miles), while Sophie Hogton won Silver in the 100m (109yd) hurdles. Skyler Brown earned Bronze in the Women’s shot put, rounding off a strong showing on the track and field.
Anna Showan returns to the Island with Bronze in the Women’s badminton competition, and the cycling team of Eli Tucker, Devon Badman, George Spooner, Ewan Cook, and Christopher Till claimed Bronze in the Men’s road criterium team event.
While not all Isle of Wight competitors returned with a medal, every athlete played a vital role in representing the Island with pride, determination and sportsmanship.
A spokesman for the Island Games Association said: “What a week! What an achievement! Proud of our Island.”
Planning and preparation is already underway for the next games, which will be hosted by the Faroe Islands in 2027.