Zander Kirkland said carrying Bermuda’s flag during Friday’s spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony was a memorable experience he will forever cherish.Clad in traditional Bermuda shorts, the star sailor proudly led his fellow team-mates in front of 80,000-plus spectators at the Olympic Stadium.“I was so focused on keeping the flag kind of streaming and was looping it the whole time and trying not to get nervous by looking out in the crowd,” said Zander. “The whole experience kind of left me speechless at the end of it and I can hardly remember doing the lap.”The top sailor received the honour at the request of younger sibling, Jesse, who in true Olympic spirit unselfishly turned down the once-in-a lifetime opportunity, having first being asked by Bermuda Olympic Association to carry the flag.Past All American US college sailor Jesse was also touched by the moving ceremony.“It was a surreal evening to be honest,” he said. “You are left a little speechless trying to piece together the amazing and tremendous feeling of walking through the stadium and hearing them say ‘and welcome Bermuda’.“It’s really an incredible thing and you certainly feel proud to represent the Island. It gives you an extra little fire to put your best forward and represent.”The Kirklands barely made it in time for the start of the extravagant ceremony after their bus got caught up in heavy traffic en route from Dorset to London.“We should’ve been there by 6:15 pm but arrived at 8pm because we had a late bus ride up from Weymouth,” Zander said. “We made it there just in time, it couldn’t have been much tighter. We just got in our gear and marched in the stadium.”