Kevin Sheehy

Kevin listened carefully, took notes and after the meeting approached presenters with many practical question. Listening to their conversation, I got impression that he was very experienced and devoted skiers. So I was very happy that he wanted to join me on my first ski camping tour - look HERE.The tour was a bit of disappointment as it was raining all the time, but it gave me opportunity to spend more time on conversations with Kevin.

I found him as a person attentive to detail with very professional approach to whatever he was dealing with. I learned about his passion for yachting and adventure - he sailed around Pacific with his family. I learned about his passion for family and his 5 children. And of course his passion for his profession as veterinary surgeon - very open to each novelty in medicine and technology.

After the tour, Kevin drove me to Melbourne and he mentioned, that after listening to the story about Worldloppet races, he would like to do the same races as our ski club members did earlier this year. I felt as if new horizon opened in my life. I asked him if I could join him on such a trip.

We shook hands in agreement.

In January 1994, Kevin waited for me at Lienz train station. It looked like unfavourable snow conditions plagued us again - there was no snow in Lienz, few days later Dolomitenlauf - Austrian leg of Worldloppet has been cancelled - full story look HERE.

We managed to have some skiing in Lienz and Kevin was very happy that at least he had a chance to visit, with local veterinarian, some Alpine farm. Then we moved to Predazzo in Italy, to prepare for our next race. There snow conditions were much better and we were assured that the race will be run. So we enjoyed over a week of good skiing and good North Italian food.

Our next stage was Oberammergau in Germany - typical Bavarian little town famous for its wooden carvings of saints. We visited spectacular Neuschwannstein castle and had lots of skiing.

But Kevin already was missing Australia. He planned initially to spend 2 weeks in Oberammergau but he changed his mind, decided to return home immediately after the race.

We went together to the travel agency, they were not very helpful and mentioned some substantial charges for rescheduling the flight. I felt very disappointed and persuaded Kevin to look for a better bargain in some other place. I overestimated the power of free market - there was no other place! All travel agencies in Oberammergau and Ettal were connected to one we visited at the beginning.

And in the meantime, the last seat on the flight to Australia has been taken. Kevin looked at me with bit of fury and a lots of disappointment, it was only due to my untimely suggestion, that he became prisoner of Oberammergau. I felt very disappointed with myself for a long time and I was quite relieved when few weeks later we met in Melbourne and Kevin smiled to me. Apparently after the race, there was a big snow dump in Oberammergau and he had one week of skiing as it should be in Alps.

- I am happy , that I stayed - he said. I was not quite sure whether it was sincere statement or a very friendly gesture to save me more embarassment.