Jeux des Iles opening ceremony

Thursday 26th May 2011, 10:00AM BST.

Jersey’s sailors lead the team. From left, Mary Perkins, flag bearer Lily Carter, Nick Ellison and David Raimbault

THE 15th edition of the Jeux des Iles kicked off with a real bang on Wednesday evening in Palermo, Sicily, with a truly magnificent opening ceremony.

Such was the spectacular energy of the event that many hailed it as the best they had ever seen, including athletics coach Andrew Winnie, who declared it better than the 2002 Commonwealth Games opening performance in Melbourne.

The thousands of spectators who had packed into the historic Castello a Mare were left stamping their feet and cheering for more as a stunning fireworks display brought the ceremony to a close.

• Pictures: Lauren Gouyette

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