Orkney '25 Blog

Hello, I'm Isla and welcome to our blog from this year's Island Games. We'll be updating you with some of our pictures and experiences of Orkney throughout the week. Check back for updates and make sure you follow us on social media too. But for comprehesive updates of all the action check out the Orkney Results page and follow all our local media too as they're doing a great job! Scroll down for any days you've missed.

DAY 6 - Friday 18th July

The last day, how are we here already? At the start of the week it felt like we'd been here ages and now, as per usual, the week has flown by.

It's been such an incredible week and today was no different. The half marathon was the first event of the day but before that even started Bucky was deep in transport home logistics.

With 22 different locations for our athletes the collection process was going to be a complicated one to get everyone to the boat on time. Throw in an island games closing party and we're just hoping everyone will be there!

The half marathon was the first event of the day, closing off some parts of Kirkwall before finishing on the track and ending with a bronze medal for our men's team. That was just the start of a host of medals for our athletics team at the end of a busy week for them.

While the athletics was finishing off, so was the cycling with the criterium around the streets of central Kirkwall. Always an exciting race to watch, but even more so for Guernsey with Hannah Kennedy winning silver and Pippa Inderwick bronze to take Team Gold for the ladies too.

At the medals presentation aftewards the men's mountain bike team were given their bronze from the day before. There had been a question mark over whether or not it was being awarded for the race so it was wonderful to see them get their medals too.

From there it was time to prepare for the Closing Ceremony at 8pm. Orla Rabey was chosen to be the Team Guernsey flag bearer for that. All the teams gather in sports rather than islands for this one. They paraded around the track at the Picky Centre before lining up in front of the stands for the official end of the games.

It was a bit of a shame the general public weren't able to be there as they'd given us a fantastic welcome at the opening ceremony and it would've been incredible to have them surrounding us on the banks of the track, like they'd packed it for the athletics.

We all got a great send off from the 'Tangerine Dream Team' of volunteers and the friends, family and VIPs in the stands though.

The Island Games flag was lowered and officially handed over to the Faroes who will be our next hosts in 2027. And then the party was on. No behind the scenes stories to be shared from that one. Sometimes what happens on tour, stays off the blog!

Medals from day 6

Athletics -Gold Darcey Hodgson Women's 800m, Bronze Gian-Luca Robilliard Men's 800m, Bronze Men's Half Marathon team, Bronze Women's 4x100m relay team, Silver 4x400m Women's relay team

Badminton - Silver Men's Doubles

Cycling Criterium - Silver Hannah Kennedy, Bronze Pippa Inderwick, Ladies Team Gold

The people of Orkney have been so kind and welcoming. The weather they ordered has been perfect, who would've expected the sunshine and heat? Not us. Once we all get home, the planning for Faroes 2027 begins.

Thank you Team Guernsey, you've all been incredible, every single one of you. We're so proud of you all.

DAY 5 - Thursday 17th July

How are we at this point in the week already, some sports finished off their events today.

A little bird told us it was Phil Touzeau's 40th birthday today so we stopped by the mountain biking cross country where we knew he'd be supporting the team with a card and cake. While he was out for a meal tonight, he's saving his first alcoholic drink until after his final event, the crit, tomorrow. That's dedication for you.

The mountain bikers might've been ready for a refreshing beverage after their race though. It looked like a team bronze for them but it seems only the top 2 medals have been awarded which is a shame for them. It was great to see so much support for them out on the course.

Although the whole of Team Guernsey is spread out around the islands for accommodation, it's lovely to see other sports coming to support the wider team when they get the chance.

We're so proud seeing all of the team doing so well in their various events, this is what we love about volunteering for the GIGA board. All the hours and hours of work behind the scenes are absolutely worth it when we see you all at the Games.

Medals on day 5

Archery - Team Silver in Head to Head Recurve knockout

Athletics - Gold Rhiannon Dowinton and Bronze Vicky Hancock 100H, Gold Chris Bain 5000m

Cycling - Men's Mountain Bike Team Bronze

Sailing - Team Bronze

Swimming - Bronze Chloe Bown 100m IM and Gold 100m Freestyle; Silver Orianna Wheeler and Bronze Orla Rabey in 200m Butterfly; Gold Tatiana Tostevin 50m Backstroke; Bronze Delphine Riley in 800m Freestyle, Gold in a new Island Games record in the women's 4x100m Medley Relay

It was brilliant to be there as Guernsey's girls smashed the island games record in the Medley relay on the final night in the pool. 

DAY 4 - Wednesday 16th July - I think

The week is already passing by so quickly, in part because we're trying to get round as many of our sport as possible and also due to lack of sleep!

Our days start early, Bucky has to attend a Team Managers meeting every morning from 7.30am. It's a chance to ask any questions, raise any potential issues and hear any important details about events in the day or days ahead.

We're already getting questions from the team about the closing ceremony on Friday and how we get home on Saturday. It'll be here before we know it.

We've watched a few medal ceremonies this week and I have to say I am loving how our kit looks. Team Guernsey's is definitely the smartest kit at these Games, I'm not biased. It was sponsored by Healthspan and I think you'll agree the team looks good!

We're doing a roaring trade in pin badges, the Guernsey pin very much in demand with the kids and games helpers too. Adults are just as keen to collect them as the younger ones.

Thanks to the Guernsey Press for the cycling team photo and Skywave Photography for the swimming photo.

We popped over to see Guernsey's men in the triples at the lawn bowls. They've borrowed one of Bucky's Guernsey flags for the week and it was good to see it lining the fence at the edge of the rink. Although we hear one of the team no longer has shoelaces as they had to get it flying just right.

At the archery, Monika Komla shot a Triple X, when you shoot three arrows into the innermost circle of the target. Check out the photos to see it. Monika went on to win a silver medal in the Women's Recurve head to head knockout, while Zoe Gray took Gold in the Compound event. It was brilliant to see them claim their medals, although the official ceremony isn't until Thursday once all the archery is finished.

We managed to get a space poolside last night and definitely lost a few kilos while spectating. It's hot in there! Fab to see our swim team in action and watch as the ladies smashed the Island Games record in the 4x100m freestyle relay. This was the record they were aiming to break at these games and they did it in style.

The Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon, is with us this week as Guernsey's number one supporter. Bucky tried to convince him to have a go on her horn at the pool, but he didn't have enough puff. Not full of hot air like Bucky. But, we soon had him banging the drum. We're going to do monthly lessons with him in the lead up to the Faroes in 2027 so he can lead the Green Army. He's doesn't know this and nor has he agreed. I think he's learning what Bucky and I are like though. He's very good natured in putting up with our silliness.

I think one of his personal highlights, aside from watching Team Guernsey in action, has been his bus ride from Stromness to Kirkwall. It was quiet on the bus so he was able to sit at the front, at the top of the double decker and he loved it. I must add he was also wearing a gold medal round his neck, just wanted to try it out. We won't say whose gold medal though. I'm still working on being allowed to share the photographic evidence.

Medals on day 4

Archery - Gold for Zoe Gray in the Compound Head to head knockout, Silver for Monika Komla in the Recurve

Cycling - Gold for Pippa Inderwick in the Road Race, Team Gold for the ladies

Swimming - Gold in the 4x100 Freestyle relay setting new island games record, Silver for Orla Rabey and Bronze for Delphine Riley in the 400m Freestyle and Bronze for Chloe Bown in the 100m Breaststroke

After a bite to eat once the swimming finished, Bucky, Sue and I decided to do a quick bit of sightseeing. First we made a delivery to one of our teams at a hotel near where we're staying in Harray. Bucky wasn't allowed in the hotel in case she got chatting as the sun was setting and I was determined we'd see something of Orkney. Especially as our earlier attempt to see the Cathedral in Kirkwall was thwarted by its 5pm closure. We arrived 5 minutes too late. 

Just as well the sun sets so late though as we were at the Ring of Brodgar at 10pm, followed by the Stones of Stenness. It was a stunning sunset, although we gave the resident midges a bit of a feast. 

DAY 3 - Tuesday 15th July

It was AGM day for Jon and Bucky, as our Chairman and Team Manager, and Chris went along as an observer. That took up the majority of their morning, as they got updates from the Faroes as the next hosts in 2027. There were also some early details from the Isle of Man as 2029 hosts on how their plans are progressing. Gotland is the preferred bidder for 2031 but no more details on that at this point.

It's likely the athletes don't know because they're busy with their sports, that at every Island Games a tree is planted. The ceremony took place at the end of the AGM, at Orkney Museum and Tankerness House Gardens. It's a symbol of the games legacy. Jockie Wood and Andrew Inkster planted a rowan tree.

Our sports were busy again today with qualifiers, training and finals. Early in the day at the Bowls our first gold medal was confirmed for Rose Ogier in the Women's Singles. She'd thought it was silver, as had her opponent who was celebrating, but on countback the gold went to Guernsey! Rose came running up to tell her supporters that she was a gold medallist.

But, she only had 15 minutes before her next match so there wasn't much time for celebrations before it was back to business. Now, there will be double celebrations as Rose, and her partner Julie Williams, went on to win gold in the Women's pairs too. They'll get their medals on Thursday.

Archery is in a lovely spot behind the athletics track at the Picky centre, and you can just see the golfers on the Kirkwall course in the distance. Far enough away there's no chance of a stray arrow making it there! Monday's wind had seen a few miss their targets, and Tuesday's conditions were throwing a bit of everything at the archers. Jason Le Page and Lisa Gray won a bronze medal in the Recurve Head to Head Team Knockout, with both in tears at winning a medal. 

In the Badminton, Alex Tapp had a great win to see him through to the last sixteen of the men's singles and Jay Webber has reached the same point in the ladies singles. In the men's double Alex, and David Trebert are through to the quarter finals.

At the Mountain Biking Criterium, just outside of Kirkwall, Guernsey's men took team silver. A brilliant result for them. 58-year-old Mark Ferbrache was watching the sport at the Games in Guernsey and here he is 2 years later - an Island Games medallist. Following in the footsteps of his father who was a member of the Commonwealth Games cycling team in the 70s and also an Island Games competitor too. Check out our socials to see his BBC interview.

It was fabulous to see Nic Ackermann win gold in the men's 400 hurdles. He's thoroughly embracing the Island Games spirit and loving every minute of his time in Orkney so to get gold as well is the icing on the cake.

Another amazing night in the pool for our Guernsey girls, their coach Sara is super proud of them and rightly so!

So here's our medals from Tuesday:

Archery - Bronze for Lisa Gray and Jason Le Page

Athletics - Gold for Nic Ackermann in 400 Hurdles, Gold for Vicky Hancock in the Long Jump, Silver for Darcey Hodgson 400 Hurdles and Silver for Chris Bain in the men's 1500m

Cycling - Men's MTB Crit Team Silver

Lawn Bowls - Gold for Rose Ogier in Women's Singles, Gold for Rose and Julie Williams in Women's Pairs

Swimming - Silver for Tatiana Tostevin 100 Back, Bronze Delphine Riley 1500 Freestyle, Silver Chloe Bown 200 Breaststroke, Gold Chloe Bown and Silver Orianna Wheeler 200 IM and Silver for the Women's 4x50 Medley Relay team.

Another excellent day at the Games. No medics laundry last night, instead we took our attaches out for a thank you meal. Orcadian Mother and Son, Eileen and Dave Fraser are helping out Team Guernsey this week, giving us lifts and helping us out with anything we need. We've officially adopted them as Guerns for the week and are so grateful for their help. Part of the Tangerine Dream Team - the army of volunteers who are helping run the games.

DAY 2 - Monday 14th July

Was the triathlon only yesterday? It feels like so much has happened since. Today was still sunny and warm but much windier so tougher conditions for some of our team.

We were all headed in different directions to see as much of the team as possible. Chris and the Bailiff, Sir Richard, went to see our Archers in action on the first day of their event, and also visited our Lawn Bowlers who have an intense schedule of games. Both sports are based in Kirkwall. They then headed over to Stromness to see our young gymnastics team in action at Stromness Academy. It's great to have gymnasts back in our team and I think they are thoroughly enjoying their Island Games experience so far.

Bucky, Sue and I started the day by trying to get poolside for the heats. That was a no-go as the pool was rammed with spectators and incredibly hot by all accounts. We were told by one of the swimmer's parents that queuing for poolside tickets had started at 6.30am and they were all gone by around 8am! The session started at 1015. It was similar queuing for the evening finals too.

But the Picky centre is showing the swimming in the cinema too, as we did in Guernsey. So we popped in there. Not quite the same, definitely cooler, but still a good atmosphere with supporters shouting, cheering and clapping. Just missing the popcorn.

Squash is also happening in the Picky Centre so we headed downstairs where, very conveniently, our Guernsey trio were all in action within a short space of time. Tough matches for all 3 of them but great to be able to support Janick, Jack and PJ. 

Our golfers were out on the two courses they will play this week. The Ladies were at Kirkwall and the Men in Stromness for their first day and will then alternate courses each day. We stopped by to see the Ladies as they came in off the course. The wind had made things pretty challenging for them on day one. 

You'd think the sailors would enjoy the windy conditions, and some of them did, but it was tough out there for them too. Darragh and Dave were racing when we stopped by Orkney's Sailing Club training centre. Jess and Monty were explaining the ins and outs of how it all works, with two races each day in each of the disciplines. Although the weather looks set to get much less windy on Thursday so they may be squeezing some extra races in ahead of then. So far they're really happy with how they are doing and their results.

Meanwhile Jon was at the cycling for the Time Trial event in a very windy and exposed location. A great day for the team with 2 medals too despite the windy weather. Our cycling team are staying on a working farm where they are getting fresh eggs every day, but they've also had the chickens in their house trying to get them back. Gary Wallbridge was having none of that though and soon had them back out in the farmyard.

Having mentioned medals, there were quite a few on day 2! 

Archery - Silver for Zoe Gray and Bronze for Monika Komla in the Women's Compound and Recurve 1440 respectively.

Athletics - Bronze for Amelia Hart (400m) and Abi Galpin (100m)

Cycling - Team Silver for the Ladies, Bronze for Phil Touzeau

Swimming - Gold x2 individuals for Chloe Bown in 400IM and 200 Freestyle, Silver for Orianna Wheeler 400IM and Orla Rabey 100 Butterfly, Gold for Women's 4x50m Freestyle relay team

After an evening at the track, having visited every sport in action on day 2, we all headed back to our accommodation. But, a Team Manager's job is never done, nor is a medic's. There was a brief diversion on the way home to take one of the team for medical treatment and pick up the medics laundry.

Back at our house in Harray, Sue, Bucky and I put on a wash and finally sat down for dinner and a bit more work before bed. You know it's an island games when you are eating your tea at 10.40pm!

DAY 1 - Sunday 13th July

What do you count as day one? For me it's the Sunday and the first day of competition for our athletes.

My day started with a last minute dash to Stromness to pick up our four sailors to get them to Kirkwall in time for their first race after an early morning transport issue.

Then we headed to beautiful Stromness, which was looking stunning in the sunshine, ready for the triathlon.

The harbour was lined with spectators for the swim, and then it was a quick swap to the roadside to see them head out on their bikes, before the run to finish.

It was so warm, Orkney is having some spectacular weather at the moment, although the forecast looks like it will be changing in the next few days.

It was brilliant to see our team do so well, although we were gutted that Dave Fairbrother picked up an injury in the swim which ended his race.

We were delighted to see Hannah Kennedy pick up an individual silver, you can see her Dad roaring her across the line in the photo we've shared.

It was team Gold for the ladies and team bronze for our men, what a result!

They were delighted to be on the podium and described the course as "brutal".

Bucky and I bumped into our new bestie Lorraine Kelly again. We are now trying to get in as many photos with her as possible.

From there we moved on to Kirkwall, which is roughly a half hour drive away to head to the Picky centre which is where a number of sports are housed.

 A brilliant bronze for Vicky Hancock in the triple jump, setting a pb and a new island record on day one of her week. The Bailiff and Chris Jackson, our GIGA Secretary, were there cheering her on.

It was great to see Nix Petit in the 10,000m, at the Picky track, which is looking in tip top condition ready for these games. It was boiling at the track last night, very unexpected given we were prepared for much colder weather with beanies in our kit.

Our medics had a busy day too. They're based in the Polyclinic which is by the Picky Centre. Dr Nick Dunn, osteopath Dan Bihet and physio Clare Mannion have all given up their own time this week to travel to Orkney with us and we are so grateful to have them here. They're looking after the team, treating them and keeping them in race ready condition.

The atmosphere at the Badminton halls is insane, so loud and raucous and fun to be in. Bucky fit right in with her horn! The Guernsey team had a tough draw in the team event taking on the gold medal holders Faroes. They beat Cayman and Ynys Mon earlier in the day and will now play off for 5th to 8th position.

A busy day one as there were many others competing and practising ahead of their own events. We'll be trying to get round as many places as possible to see our team in action.

Team Guernsey is spread out across Orkney in 22 different locations this week. As Bucky, Sue and I made it back to our digs, we were treated to a stunning sunset, which was about 10pm! There aren't many hours of darkness here, we're glad we brought our eye-masks.