Feb 18

A groove is cut at the start for one of the rails but often, due to loss of balance, it will
“pop the groove” and the rider is left chasing his metal tray or making a crazy dive to
get on. “Sometimes you step on the skeleton as you sprint at the start,” says Pengilly.
“You can dive over the top of it and jump on hard – that’s not good. You bruise or break
ribs at worst – at best you wind yourself and spend a couple of minutes going headfirst
down the run hanging on, unable to breathe.”
It is more than just holding on and praying to God, however. The subtleties of
adjusting weight to steer the sled sort the madmen from the medal men.
Such is the strength of his faith that Pengilly will avoid training and racing on a Sunday
whenever possible.
“I want to honour God. I spend time with him each day and when I pray, I pray for
safety for myself and others. But I pray to perform well, not to win,” says Pengilly, one
of the few athletes who has appeared on BBC Songs of Praise.
“If I perform well and finish 20th or first then that is enough. I want to do the best I
can. I would like a medal, it is not impossible, but you can get too absorbed in this. My
faith is the most essential thing in my life.”
Is faith the most essential thing in YOUR life? Lent – the other major event in February
is a good opportunity to look at our faith. This Lent we are running a rather interesting
course, designed by Church Army, called Faith Pictures. You will find a list of times and
venues at the back of your church. Go on, why not put your name down, meet new
people – engage with God as he seeks to encourage and grow your faith. Also during
Lent, keep a watch out for Adam Pengilly, to see how he does on his Skeleton runs.
May you use Lent wisely – grow closer to God,
and grow closer to fellow Christians.
Your Friend and Vicar
Canon Phillip
Parish of Killay !5
2018