Highland Games draws big crowd

 

The Waipu Highland Games are over for another year and what a day it was.

The deluges and disappointments of last year were long forgotten, helped by beautiful New Years Day weather and a great lineup of competitors and events making for a fun-filled day.

The Northpine Heavyweight Challenge attracted hundreds of eager spectators as Olympian Jacko Gill entered the arena. The crowd was expecting an uneven balance of power but in fact Jacko won the overall competition by only one point which led to an exciting day of drama and tension.

Another new face and new name to the heavyweight competition was that of Russian-born Raisa Blinova, partner of Jacko Gill and herself a world class shotputter. Blinova created a lot of interest, excitement and loud support as she competed against the men and was successful in the hammer, highland stone and caber tossing, winning the overall novice points prize.

The Scottish dancing was at its usual best as were the pipers and drummers.

Parachuters Ballistic Blondes dropped in again under a fabulous Scottish saltyre parachute. Their support of the Highland Games is much appreciated by the crowd.

The Waipu Mens Choir sang The Flower of Scotland before MP Shane Reti officially opened the Games.

Tartan in the Park had a large number of entries from wee bairns to older more mature people. They were interrupted regularly by three troublesome models wearing recent Art N Tartan entries.

Over 5000 people enjoyed a stunning line-up of all things Scottish and Waipu once again reminded itself of its strong Scottish heritage.
n All results can be found on the Games facebook page and website waipuhighlandgames.co.nz.