Scottish Highland Games Association

GROUND RECORDS BROKEN AT BLACKFORD writes SHANE FENTON

Blackford was fortunate to avoid the many torrential downpours which peppered many parts of the country and the crowds who turned out witnessed some excellent competition.

Ground records were broken in both the throwing and jumping events.

There was a top quality field in the throwing events with the stand out competitor on the day being Vlad Tulacek, Czech Republic. The 28 year old who has a shot putt PB of 19.74 won six of the seven disciplines and threw a ground record of 16' 4'' in the 56lb weight for height competition to eclipse the the record set by Lukasz Wenta the previous year by one inch.

Interview with Vlad Tulacek

Interview with Vlad Tulavichttp://www.scotlandshop.com/tartanblog/index.php/2016/09/giants-of-the-games-an-interview-with-vladislav-tulacek/

The other ground record came in the high jump. As expected competition in the three jumps events was keen. Jordan Charters,Lasswade landed a double with wins in both the long and high jump competitions. Charters who is currently ranked number two in Scotland leapt out to 21' 8'' to win the long jump before setting a new ground record of 1.90m to win the high jump. The triple jump was won by Tony Daffurn who broke the sand at 44' 3''.

There was some good performances on the track. The Open 90 metres handicap saw the winner, runner up and seventh place finisher in the 2017 New Year Sprint reach the final. On this occasion the first two places were reversed with Jordan Charters just holding off Greg Kelly,East Kilbride AC with Eilidh Briggs,Inverness Harriers in third and NY finalsist Glyn Desport in fourth.

Eilidh Briggs went on to win her first ever race on the games circuit with victory in the Open 200 metres handicap. There was further success for the North with Marcus Archer, Aberdeen AC leading home a field of 12 runners to win the Open 400 metres handicap.Callum McWilliams,East Kilbride AC and Ewan Bradly,Inverness filled the minor berths.

Fife put a winner on the board with Sarah Ross,Pitreavie AC making all from the front mark to win the Open 800 metres handicap in 1:49.84 from Ewan Bradley and Mike Murdoch,Falkland There was Borders success in the 1600 metres with Matt Dougall, Gala following up his New Year win over the same distance, Craig Robertson,Pitreavie AC finished second with the previous years winner Rory Anderson,Hawick in third.

In the Youth running Imogen Lewis,Peebles landed a a double with wins in both the 90m and 200m handicaps. The 800 metres was won by Eduard Lecravain,Aberdeen AC and he was followed over the line by his brother Gaspard in second with Sean Bates,Tullibody in third.

There was good fields in both the Open and Youth cycle events. James Melville,Dumbarton won the opening 800 metres before Chris Horden,Lothian in only his second race among the seniors won the 1600 metres. Both the 3200 metres and Deil tak the Hindmost events were won by Gus Gillies,Peebles. Kyle Thomas was the victor in both the Youth 800m and Deil with Jamie Penny,Newport taking the 1600 metres.

The Scottish Tog o War title went to Strathardle who got the better of last years winners Moffat Builders with Elgin in third.