Teamwork & CO

Monday 20 July 2015

Offshore law firm Carey Olsen, one of the sponsors of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Natwest Island Games XVI which were hosted in Jersey this year, had particular cause for celebration as two of its staff members brought home medals.

Corporate Associate, Katrina Lindsay, competed in Jersey's 43-strong athletics squad and represented the island in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay. Di Aitchison, from the firm’s litigation practice, represented Guernsey in the Ladies’ team and individual golf events.

Ms Lindsay took away a silver medal with her teammates in the 4 x 100m relay.  She also made it to the finals of the 100m and 200m track events, finishing in sixth and fifth place respectively. Ms Aitchison and the Guernsey ladies’ golf team won bronze in the team event with teammate Aimee Ponte getting overall gold in the individual event.

Ms Aitchison previously competed in the 2011 Games, which were held the Isle of Wight, while this was Ms Lindsay’s first appearance.  

Ms Aitchison said: “From the moment we boarded the Condor Liberation to Jersey, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the ovation Team Guernsey received as it entered Howard Davis Park for the opening ceremony was amazing. The whole island seemed to be caught up in the spirit of the Games and everywhere we went we could hear cheering for one of the sporting events taking place.

“The Island Games is the biggest event that many of us will have the opportunity of competing in. It is an amazing week of sport and friendship and I would encourage anyone with a love of sport to try and be part of future events.

Ms Lindsay said: “The highlight for me was running the 200m heats on the same day that my twin sister ran the 800m heats for Bermuda, with our parents watching.  

“Having the Games here made it very special for me and the other Jersey athletes. Walking down the track to the start of the 100m heats with so many people watching and cheering was unforgettable. 

“The individual events were phenomenal as they were the culmination of all my training. To compete against athletes from around the world was fantastic and the fact that I ran personal bests and made the finals, was something I could only have dreamed of this time last year. 

"The relay event was equally special as I was in a team with girls I have been training with all year, in snow, rain, wind and sunshine. To stand on the podium with them was very special and a lot of fun.  

“When they say it is the friendly Games, they couldn’t be more accurate - there was no hostility between the different islands and even before we started our races, we all wished each other good luck.”   

Partner Siobhan Riley from Carey Olsen said: “As an island-based firm, the Games have a particular resonance for us and it was great to have three of our jurisdictions - Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey - taking part this year.

“We are hugely proud of Di and Katrina's achievements and look forward to supporting them and perhaps other members of the Carey Olsen team in the 2017 Island Games in Gotland.”

Held between 27June and 3 July, this was the biggest Games to date and hosts Jersey took the top spot with 50 gold medals and 133 medals overall. Guernsey came third with 28 gold medals and the Cayman Islands were sixth with 14 gold medals.