DEBERT, N.S. — The hours of practicing in the cold and rain paid off for Adam Ogilvie, with a first-place medal from the Bressuire Highland Games in France.
“It was an incredible trip,” said the Debert resident. “There was great weather and a great crowd. There were 13,000 spectators and that was the largest crowd I ever competed in front of.
“The competitors were friendly and welcoming, and we had lots of laughs.
“Standing on podium and being presented with a trophy and medal, I was feeling pretty high. It’s something I will never forget.”
Ogilvie was the winner of the French Master Championship, for those aged 40 and up.
He took part in the competition, which was held June 15-16, as a representative for the Margaree Highland Games.
He was nervous before the competition but taking part in demonstrations for 340 children was so much fun it helped him relax.
“It’s a very special highland games that they only have every two years,” he said. “This was the tenth games and the whole town is involved in planning and executing things. There were 250 local volunteers. With the crowd and the pipes and the castle, there’s a great atmosphere and energy. It really pumps you up.
“When I left I was just hoping put on a good show for Margaree. When I competed in the open stone I got second, then won both light hammer and light weight, and was in first place after day one. One the second day I won the caber toss and then had a sense of relief.”
Ogilvie also got to use his French during the trip, as his host family didn’t speak any English, although the woman in the home was used to hosting people from other countries and often used Google Translate in conversation mode.
He was in France a few extra days and got to see a lot of the countryside and some attractions.
“We were up and going every day,” he said. “It was a great experience; one I would do over again in a heartbeat.”
Ogilvie’s next competition is on July 1 in Pugwash.
He will be competing in Bible Hill at the Colchester Highland Games and Gathering on Sept. 7.
Related: Debert man preparing to compete at heavy games in France: Video
