kerry

Every bit a prodigious and renowned story teller and stalwart of BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (Gaelic Radio), the late Donald Black of Lismore was a champion of the Gaelic language and the culture of the Scottish Highlands. I was privileged to receive a traditional Gaelic blessing from Donald when he spoke at my wedding.  It will no uncertainty be a familiar poetry to Kerry MacPhee, though perhaps now with a slightly different and unwelcome perspective.  Kerry, a native Gaelic speaker and regular contributor to Gaelic radio and media may well turn into a champion of a different sort this summer if her plans come to fruition.

Loch Duart is proud to exist Kerry's only financial sponsor (hopefully others will come shortly), supporting her living costs allowing her to concentrate on preparation and push button the boundaries of her performance. We got shock news following her cycling preparation camp in Girona to hear she had discovered where at to the lowest degree one of those boundaries is.  Kerry was involved in a nasty grouping standoff and ended up in hospital with one of her training partners. "I'm fine but won't be back on the bike till Wednesday. I have a black heart, swollen confront and route rash and unfortunately broke my bicycle and helmet," she wrote to let usa know. "We had no idea it would be in the newspaper (The Lord's day) simply nothing to worry about I don't think. I was quite shocked to hear they had picked up on it and turned it into a story but some other cyclist Charlene fractured three basic in her back so it is the 2 of us together. She will be fine also." All in a mean solar day'south work for an elite athlete it would seem.  Us ordinary mortals don't even want to contemplate "road rash"!  Unfortunately there are crashes in bike racing and these can be at speeds up to 50kmh.  All it takes is the slightest touch of wheels.

Looking forward, with our support, Kerry'south has now embarked on an intensive cycling preparation schedule till the end of March.  These are the events that she hopes to represent her state in at The Democracy Games.  With the weather here as it is, we quite understand why her route bike training military camp is in Tenerife and a mountain bike grooming campsite in Girona (from which we promise she volition return safely this time).  Her build-up to The Commonwealth Games over next couple of months is relentless:

  • competing in UK races in Edinburgh and Darlington
  • representing Scotland in road races in Nieuwsblad and Le Samyn, Belgium,
  • mountain bike race in Banyoles, Girona as part of the Spanish Grand Prix
  • in Italian republic to compete in the GP Comune di Cornaredo race, every bit a guest of Team Velosport Pasta-Montegrappa.

Though it may suggest a different pregnant to a cyclist, the one-time verse is perhaps the best way to send Kerry on her style. Let's savor again the uplifting, soothing poetry from the Gaelic blessing:

Become due north-éirí an bóthar leat

Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl

Become lonraí an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh

Become dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna

Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,

Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú.

May the road ascension up to see you lot.

May the wind be always on your back.

May the sun smoothen warm upon your face;

The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His mitt.

Lawrie Stove

Sales Manager – Loch Duart