Too late – You may miss out

Golden Shears competitors are being warned to be ready for their events or risk missing their as officials try to keep a busy programme on track.

With the highest entries in many years, close to 480 competitors in total, officials have had to make the unkindest cut of all and tell competitors they are too late.

Starting at 7.45am on the second day of the 60th championships today, events were soon running behind time, and chief referee Ronnie King said: “Some competitors have already missed out…We’ve had to start without them.”

One competitor’s name was called four times, but didn’t appear until her heat had started.

All competitors are being told they must be present for the first call, which summons them to queue to register that they are present and receive their competition singlet.

Officials will have little option but to withdraw competitors who are not present for the registration and who do not respond ready for their heat.