86 - Women 400 metres hurdles Final

This was the first track final of the Thursday evening session, and it was a race of excitement and drama as hurdles events so often are.
There was a quality line-up, with the 2017 champion Angela Lopez Martí (Menorca) and 2013 champion Shianne Smith (Bermuda) lining up along with previous medallists Olivia Allbut (Jersey) and Eve Carrington (Western Isles). Also in the field was the 100 metres hurdles gold medallist from earlier in the week Rhiannon Dowinton (Guernsey), while Games debutante Aimee Cringle (Isle of Man) was also likely to go well.
It was former Commonwealth Games heptathlete Shianne Smith who was fastest away, and she led over the early hurdles. Down the back straight she led narrowly from Olivia Allbut who was just ahead of Aimee Cringle, with Angela Lopez Martí in fourth place. Round the final bend Shianne Smith continued to lead, but just behind her Aimee Cringle was up into second place ahead of Olivia Allbut.
On the approach to the eighth barrier Olivia suffered a horrible fall, but thankfully after several minutes of treatment she was able to walk away without serious injury. Down the home straight Shianne Smith looked set to take victory as she powered towards the final barrier two or three strides clear of Aimee Cringle, but she then clattered the final hurdle. As she stuttered on landing, Aimee spotted the opportunity and unleashed a superb finish to storm past her Bermudian opponent to take a stunning victory.
It was an outstanding performance by Aimee who is a multi-talented athlete, and beat the senior Isle of Man record that had stood since 1998. Shianne was disappointed that her late mistake had cost her another victory, but it was still a fine performance on her Island Games comeback after six years away. Angela Lopez Martí added another medal to her collection, proving that she remains highly competitive at the age of 43.
Rhiannon Dowinton and Amelia Hucks (Ynys Môn) took fourth and fifth places, while Eve Carrington pulled up on the back straight.
I try to be reasonably neutral in covering the events for this group, but it proved impossible in the later stages of this race and during the joyous celebrations of the Isle of Man team after Aimee Cringle’s wonderful victory!
Position Lane Bib Competitor Island Result
1st 6 268 Aimee Cringle IOM 1:03.58 Gold
2nd 4 210 Shianne Smith BER 1:04.49 Silver
3rd 8 298 Angela Martí MEN 1:07.74 Bronze
4th 7 251 Rhiannon Dowinton GUE 1:11.72
5th 2 336 Amelia Hucks YSM 1:12.69
DNF 3 292 Olivia Allbut JER
DNF 5 324 Eve Carrington WES