The medals have been rolling in for Youth Team Scotland in Samoa but the team were still without that elusive Gold until swimmer Erin Robertson stormed down the pool to take Scotland’s first win of the Games in the 50m Breaststroke.
The first event of the night, Erin’s swim set the tone for the whole session, prompting a further two Bronze medals from Kieran Preston in the men’s equivalent and from Tain Bruce in the 100m Butterfly.
“It’s amazing,” said Erin. “I can’t believe it. As soon as I touched I turned around straight away and when I saw that I’d won it felt like I was dreaming, like none of it was real. When I saw the scoreboard and the number one next to my name, I realised it was the first Gold medal for Scotland and I just couldn’t believe it.
“It was amazing to stand on the podium and see the Scottish flag up the top and hearing the Scottish national anthem being played for the first time, it was everything I dreamed it would be.
“I’ve won golds before but I’ve never had the anthem played for me, it’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget. It’s really not sunk in yet.”
Up next was Kieran Preston in the men’s 50m Breaststroke and, inspired by Erin’s performance minutes before, he touched just ahead of team mate Benedict Tortolano for a surprise Bronze medal in what he considers one of his weaker events.
“After watching Erin get the Gold it really boosted me,” he said. With Craig getting the silver and the other medals yesterday, the swimming team just has a real buzz at the moment, it’s a great feeling.
“It’s great preparation for my main event tomorrow. This was my weakest event and I’m just so surprised to get a Bronze.”
There was joy for Tain Bruce as, after two fourth place finishes, she finally got her hands on a medal, taking Bronze in the 100m Butterfly.
“Finally,” she said. “I’m really happy with that because I was a wee bit disappointed with my fourths, I would have liked to get medals. I’m really happy with tonight’s swim. It’s just off my best time as well so I’m really happy with that.”
The moment was made all the better as she initially thought she had finished outside the medals again.
“At first I actually thought I’d come sixth,” she said. I was swimming in lane six and when I looked up at the board I thought that six related to my placing but it was actually my lane. I was a bit confused at first but when I realised that I’d won the bronze I was so happy.”
Meg Finnon took sixth place in the 400m Freestyle and will go in the 800m event tomorrow.
The swimming concludes tomorrow with all six of the squad back in action. Tonight’s haul in the pool takes Youth Team Scotland’s medal total to fourteen with two days of the Games left and several medals guaranteed with athletes through to finals.
For the results of all sports visit http://www.samoacyg2015.ws/?page_id=942
Follow us on Twitter @Team_Scotland for Scottish results as they happen.