"A fine young man, and we're honoured to be able to support a young athlete from our home town."

Applause. I heard Alexandra whisper "Yes, yes. Correct."

"He's going to go on to do great things, and we at Whiteleaf Insurance are going to be there all the way with him."

More applause and a quiet "Yes, yes. Correct."

"So now it only leaves me the great honour of handing over the keys to our local hero." Mr Gustavson either paused for effect, or needed to cough or gargle away from the mike.

"Whatever you do, don't crash it." He's not smiling. "Not so much as a scratch." Still not...