Mercer dash to Denmark for Dean
JORDAN Mercer has torn herself from the comforting arms of her grieving family in a bid to win a world title in memory of her late uncle.
The 23-year-old was due to fly to Denmark last night to contest the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships, only a day after ironman legend Dean Mercer suffered a cardiac arrest while driving.
“She didn’t want to go but her father was pretty firm with her,” family friend Ian Hanson said of Darren Mercer, who with brother Dean was a superstar of ironman racing in the ’80s and ’90s.
“He said ‘Jordie, Deano would have wanted you on that plane. You know what he was like – he’d be very upset if you didn’t go’.
“Jordie was saying she couldn’t leave, that she needed to be there for her family, and that’s typical Mercer. They think about other people all the time … but she realised she had to go.
“Deano wasn’t only her uncle. He was a mentor too. Your dad can get you so far but if anyone was an inspiration for her, it was Deano.”
A champion ironwoman, Jordan missed last year’s world titles in Fiji due to injury but is a leading contender to claim gold in the distance and technical prone paddleboard events at the 2017 event, which runs for 10 days from Saturday.
As she flew out of Australia she left behind an extended family grappling with the loss of 47-year-old Mercer, who had four young sons with wife and former champion ironwoman Reen Corbett.
“Our whole family is overwhelmed and thankful for all the support given and thanks everyone for respecting our privacy at this difficult time,” Reen told the Bulletin.
Hanson said Reen and her children were surrounded by loved ones at their Mermaid Waters home, with the youngsters showing “incredible” resilience in the wake of the tragedy.
“I think it’s not going to sink in for some time (but) they said they’re showing amazing strength,” he said.
Hanson said funeral plans were still in their infancy.
“The biggest question is where (to hold it),” he said. “Given the reaction around the nation, it’s going to be big.”
Told of Jordan’s decision to contest the world titles, Karla Gilbert, Australia’s greatest ironwoman and now a top stand-up paddleboarder, said she had done “exactly what Deano would want”.
“If anyone could understand that (potentially missing his funeral), it would be Deano,” she said. “Leaving her family behind when she’s grieving isn’t easy ... but it’s the perfect way to honour his memory. You can pull out some amazing energy and power when you’re doing it for a loved one.”
JORDIE, DEANO WOULD HAVE WANTED YOU ON THAT PLANE. YOU KNOW WHAT HE WAS LIKE — HE’D VERY UPSET IF YOU DIDN’T GO IAN HANSON