As ever
the Games Piping competitions were hugely entertaining and the idea of
locating the piping in a theater style setting in the Tomatin Music Tent
proved extremely popular. Hundreds of spectators took advantage of the
chance to relax in the shade and hear some superb solo performances and
the standard of the piping this year was thought by many to have been
the best for years. The Inverness Games are now too big to walk around
without needing a sit down so it is good news that it look's like the
Piping Tent is here to stay.
Amongst the many attractions around the Stadium this year was an even
bigger display than ever before by the Royal Air Force with the giant
SeaKing Search and Rescue Helicopter providing the star attraction. Thousands
of spectators took the opportunity to look at everything from Ground to
Air Missiles to Survival Equipment and the number of children who climbed
on the personnel carrier must have created a record.
The Games athletics events started with some sprint races for the under
eleven's while over at the Cage, there was delight and despair in the
Woman's Hammer throwing competition. Frances Miller of Elgin equalled
and then beat her Under 17 Scottish record to the delight of the crowd
subject to ratification.
Unfortunately, the hammer was then weighed and found to be 60 grams too
light much to the horror of the official who supplied it. Frances took
the news with her usual trademark big smile and good humour and we know
that she will beat her record soon. |
This was
the only hiccup on an otherwise perfect day for athletics when the full
programme of athletic events provided some brilliantly contested entertainment,
especially during the men's 400 metres event when one of the competitors
decided to run round in a pair of borrowed tracksuit bottoms. Discovering
after a few strides that he would have to hold up them or lose them, the
runner somehow managed to record a respectable time, despite having to
hold on for dear life to a fistful of material all the whole way round.
The Heavy Events were as popular as ever with a good turn out of Heavy
Athletes providing an excellent afternoon's entertainment. Frances Brebner
(S.G.A.) dominated the day, winning the Shot Putt, Weight for Distance,
Weight for Height and the Tomatin sponsored Caber.
The Games ended with a spectacular aerobatics display sponsored by Express
by Holiday Inn, Inverness over the stadium with Pilot Jim McTaggart showing
the delighted crowd just why he is regarded as one Britain's top stunt
fliers.
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