Rachel Hunter strikes gold at Cowal Highland Games

Sep 3 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TEENAGE Ayr Seaforth star Rachel Hunter made history at the Cowal Highland Games in Dunoon.

Rachel, 16, was the youngest ever athlete to compete in the heavy events.

And she celebrated by winning five out of six events to lift the gold medal for finishing first overall and receiving the David Allan Sangster Memorial Trophy.

Rachel, a pupil at Kyle Academy, is fast establishing herself as one of Scotland`s most promising throws athletes.

Wearing her Pride of Scotland tartan kilt, she won the throwing the stone, Scots hammer (in a new Games record of 27m 58), weight for height, weight for distance and shot putt. She was also third in her first ever competition attempt at tossing the caber.

Proud Seaforth secretary Glen Harrower said: “For people from an older generation, Rachel`s outstanding achievements brought back wonderful memories of a movie called ‘Geordie’ starring the late Bill Travers about a young Scottish heavy athlete who, from a boy to a young man, dreamt of Olympic glory.

“He won the gold medal in the hammer which just happens to be one of Rachel’s best events.

“Saturday was the beginning of young Rachel Hunter`s Olympic dream.”