The Jeux des Iles team pictured before leaving for the Azores. Picture: Tony Pike (00963117)

THE Jersey team opened their Jeux des Iles account in the Azores yesterday as three sports got under way.

There was success for the Island tennis juniors as the boys’ team of Daniel Harrison, Max Ayres and Stuart Parker each contributed to a 3-0 victory over Corsica.

The girls, Audrey Bois, Nicole Moir and Eva Hurst, also helped Jersey to a 3-0 win in their first round match against Madeira.

The table tennis team had a strong start with a 3-1 victory over the Azores, including wins for Hugo Tupper and Jack Mills who also posted victories later in the day as they beat Corsica 3-0. However, it was not a clean sweep of victories as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Cyprus.

The sailors took to the water in Ponta Delgada Bay and with two of their nine races completed Harry Moisan is placed fifth out of 17, Nick Ellison is 12th while Lily Carter is ninth from 16 in the girls fleet and Mary Perkins 15th.

After an exciting start to the day the teams joined together at the waterfront arena at Ponta Delgada, on the main Azores island of Sao Miguel, for the official opening ceremony of the 14th Games

In cool conditions, with a few spots of rain, the complete Jersey team joined the ten other competing islands for the opening party, which was not quite as long or lavish as in previous years but did include fireworks and entertainment for the substantial crowd watching the event.

Around 850 competitors and coaches are in attendance at the Games, a reduced number this year due to the economic gloom. Approximately 1,300 had been expected in the Azores but there was a late withdrawal from several islands.

Especially disappointing has been the non-attendance of the likes of the Canary Islands, Martinique and Guadeloupe as they usually provide large numbers and strong competition.

However, the spirit at these games remained extremely enthusiastic and exuberant from those islands who have made the long trip to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Next year’s games are likely to be staged by one of the largest teams here: Sicily.

The Jersey teams in gymnastics, swimming, and athletics begin their campaigns today while sailing, table tennis and tennis continue.