Masters World Championships Review

An estimated 7000 spectators braved torrential rain over the weekend to enjoy the Tulloch Homes sponsored Masters World Championships which was staged in Bught Park as part of the Inverness Highland Games 

The Highland Council's Events and Technical Services Teams have been praised by competitors from around the world after ensuring that the biggest ever Masters World Championships, featuring 82 competitors from 10 countries took place at Bught Park on a weekend which saw other Highland Games cancelled or severely disrupted across Scotland.  

The Council Team arrived on site on Saturday morning to discover that the majority of the lines in the eight throwing zones and the athletics track had been washed away and the car park and main entrances under water. However a determination not to become the second Games to be postponed for 24 hours since the Northern Meeting Society's Gathering was postponed in order to accommodate a delayed Prince Albert ensured that the Games opened on time. 

The weekend started with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring Guest of Honour Author Diana Gabaldon, the Masters Competitors and their families and the colourful Nazioen Mundua performers from the Basque Country who provided spectacular entertainment throughout the course of the weekend. Unfortunately the weather ensured that the traditional Mass Highland could not take place in front of the grandstand as it would have been dangerous for the dancers to perform on the slippery surface but even from a distance, the dancers performing under the cover 100 yards away was a magnificent sight which was cheered loudly. 

After two days of intense competition, Scots Jason Young and Mark Macdonald were amongst the 10 World Champions that were crowned after emerging victorious in the Masters World Championships 40-44 and 45-49 at a memorable awards ceremony in the Clan Village featuring Albanach.  

Bill Scruggs, the Chief Executive of Scottish Masters International said " I would like to thank Provost Jimmy Gray and the City of Inverness for being gracious and generous hosts and for making this the most successful Masters World Championships ever. We were extremely worried that the Championships might even have to be postponed on Saturday morning but we should have know that the Scots would know how to deal with the rain. Inverness is the home of Highland Games and it has been an honour for us to return to the world famous Inverness Highland Games. For a number of the competitors this is a once in a lifetime trip and will never be forgotten and for some of us this is our final trip home to Scotland. Thank you so much Inverness" 

The list of results can be found by visiting http://www.invernesshighlandgames.com/

The 2010 Masters World Championships will take place in Denver Colorado

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