Loch Duart announces sponsorship of top Scottish cyclist

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Loch Duart Ltd is delighted to announce the sponsorship of the Hebridean cyclist Kerry MacPhee. Kerry, who comes from the island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, is leaping up the rankings of women cyclists in Scotland following some excellent performances this season. Four times Scottish Offroad Mountain Bike Champion, Kerry has just been crowned ‘Queen of the Kirk 2013’ after  winning  the Scottish Hill Climb Championships at Logie Kirk in Stirlingshire on 20th October.

Kerry has had a really good end to the season including podium finishes in events as far afield as Bermuda, Switzerland and Belgium and, as a result, has been selected for the Scottish cycling development programme. She is now fully focused on a programme of performance improvements leading up to what she hopes will be qualification for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

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Having graduated in both Physical Education and Sports Management at Stirling University, Kerry is keenly aware of the importance that nutrition plays in an elite athlete’s performance.  Unsurprisingly she likes eating salmon and has been a longstanding fan of Loch Duart Hot Smoked Flaky Salmon. “To be able to get such high levels of Omega 3 from food I love is a great bonus.”

A native of South Uist, Kerry is already familiar with Loch Duart, which has a smokehouse and two sea sites just offshore, and she is well known to our Hebridean staff in this small community.  Kerry holds her father responsible for her interest in cycling and triathlon, as she recalls having to run across the hills to gather sheep at the family croft as he didn’t  have (or wouldn’t get) a dog!

The first fish farm in the world to achieve RSPCA Freedom Food approval, Loch Duart is run on the belief that welfare and taste are inextricably linked.

Salmon is an ideal food for anyone practicing sport, whether competitive or recreational, as a healthy fatty acid balance is essential. A diet which includes sufficient Omega 3 fatty acids helps to support heart and brain function, prevents inflammation of injuries, enhances focus and promotes the combustion of fats to supply energy.

For serious athletes like Kerry, the right quantities of Omega 3 EPA and DHA increase fat breakdown, improve muscle synthesis and reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness, asthma and bronchoconstriction. They also improve mental focus and concentration and heart parameters during prolonged exercise by reducing heart rate and improving oxygen delivery to the heart.

With financial and dietary support from Loch Duart, Kerry will be able to increase the number of events she is able to compete in and aims to improve her performances and her ranking position in 2014.