FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

Games where I watched in admiration of what other New Zealanders were doing. From watching a fellow Kiwi winning a Gold medal, it was my goal to be an Olympian myself. '96 is where the dream started.

Being from New Zealand, are you waiting for the moment you could race weekly and earn a living like that?
Sarah: It's been a thought and I've considered it but I love the joys of being at home (friends, family, support team, etc), but also, to be there for the next generation of the sport, to help with some coaching, giving kids a couple tips or just some general encouragement.

Are you living as a pro BMX rider full time?
Sarah: Yup, and loving it!

The training has stepped up for pretty much everyone over the last couple of years. Are you happy with the current training facilities you get offered through the HP program?
Sarah: It's crazy to think back to the last Olympic Cycle compared to this one. We've come such a long way as a sport in so little time! With such an amazing support team around the program now, I have no doubts we're doing all we can to get myself and the bike going as fast as possible.

Track time is important too. Do you have anything available that looks like a SX starting hill?
Sarah: We don't have a starting hill yet in New Zealand but that's about to change this year with a new National Cycling Hub about to be announced. It will be nice to be able to get down a hill more often than half a dozen times a year, but I seem to have the ability to be able to adjust to the big hill when I get there.

Is it hard for you to adapt to new tracks with new jumps, turns, gates, etc.?
Sarah: I enjoy the challenge of a new track and trying to learn it faster than anyone else can. There's been times where I have struggled on a couple jumps or corners but in general, I have to adapt eventually so why not do it as quickly as possible?

What bike are you riding this year?
Sarah: ABD (New Zealand based company - keeping it Kiwi)

Is it custom made to the geometry that you wanted?
Sarah: The geometry on the bike is exactly the same as what anyone can buy as standard in a bike shop. If we discover anything that can make a rider go faster by changing something on the bike, ABD are willing to make those changes in the entire line so that everyone gets the benefits.

Do you work on your own bike much?
Sarah: Our team mechanic keeps our bikes running smooth but I can make any changes when needed.

Who do you like to ride with?
Sarah: I ride with a few of the "up and coming" BMX riders in New Zealand. Majority of them are guys so I've always got someone that is better than me which keeps me honest.

From what corner (countries) are you expecting your main competition this year?
Sarah: It's hard to tell this early in a season, we haven't raced a World Cup since October last year and for that, some of the girls were out with injury. I'm looking forward to South Africa to see where everything is and where I can make further improvements.

Next to the SX World Cups races and the Worlds, what other races are on your schedule?
Sarah: We have our National Champs the weekend after South Africa's World Cup and we also had Oceania's here in NZ a couple of weeks ago. Besides that, our focus this year is to do the SX races and get Olympic Qualification.

What should/could be done to make BMX better?
Sarah: Promoting the sport in a way to grow numbers - With the Olympics coming up, come and try days, free coaching camps for beginners, joining bonuses (free hat/t-shirt) etc would be a good way to make the most of the extra international coverage the sport gets during the Games. With more people comes more opportunities.

Thanks to: Mum and Dad for always being there, my brother for betting me $5 that I couldn't jump, my support team and their dedication to finding ways to make improvements, my sponsors for their continued support, my boyfriend for putting up with me and all the supporters who have stood behind me with encouragement, belief and understanding.