Team Jersey has landed in Guernsey as the opening of the Island Games draws closer.
240 athletes from Jersey are making the journey over the water to join the other 2,000 competitors from 24 islands.
It's the first time the games have been hosted in the Channel Islands since 2015 and Jersey team manager Morag Orbarska says competing close to home will boost medal hopes.
"We'll probably have more home support, family and friends coming over from Jersey, than if we travelled further away.
That will always be good to help the athletes along. Guernsey is always pretty vocal in their support, so we'll be doing our best to outdo them."
At the last games in Gibraltar Jersey came out on top of the medal tables, taking a total of 93 home.
Morag is hoping for another successful outcome.
"I hope we'll be in the top three, if not leading it. We have a lot of competition from Guernsey who will have an enormous team.
The competition is an unknown in a way because we haven't met for so long, but we've got a very strong team and all you can ask is for everyone to perform to their best."
Sports Minister, Deputy Lucy Stephenson has wished Team Jersey luck in an online video.
Deputy Lucy StephensonOver 250 Jersey Islanders are heading over to the 2023 Island Games, this includes coaches, managers and medical staff to support our players. You can tune in to watch all 2,500 participants from 24 islands compete in 14 sports by following Guernsey2023 Good luck! 🇯🇪 #IslandGames2023
Posted by Government of Jersey on Friday, July 7, 2023
It's been four years since the Gibraltar games were held, with this year's competition pushed back from 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the anticipation is building within the team.
"They just can't wait for the competition and because of the gap between the games it's added to that excitement
It's a bit unknown what the competition is going to be like because the teams will look quite different from four years ago."
The opening ceremony gets underway this evening (8 July) on St Peter Port Waterfront from 5pm.
Keep up to date throughout the entire competition here.
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