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my car

Profession: World and Olympic champion long track speed skater

Age: 26

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Notable achievements

  • 23 gold medals, 22 silver, 13 bronze - and counting
  • 2011: World Sprint Championship - won two gold medals in 1000m and a 500m bronze medal; World Cup champion, 1500m
  • 2010: World Cup champion, 1000m; Gold medal, 1000m at Vancouver Winter Olympics
  • 2009 and 2010: Canadian Female Athlete of the Year, received The Velma Springstead Award (Canadian Sports Awards, True Sport Foundation)
  • 2006: Silver medal, Team Pursuit, Turin Olympics

Upcoming

  • Training to compete in the fall World Cup and in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
  • Supports the Muungano Foundation, a grassroots organization founded by teachers of London's primary and secondary schools to provide educational support to children in the Muungano region of northern Kenya.

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She skated into the pages of history. Christine Nesbitt is a world and Olympic champion. The long track speed skater has dozens of medals under her belt including two golds from the 2011 World Sprint Championships and a gold from the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. On the ice, she's fierce and fast - just like her ride on the road. Nesbitt drives a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Does the Chevy Tahoe have the speed of a skater?

The Tahoe has guts. It's fun. I've had one speeding ticket with it - in September. I've never been pulled over before. I was doing 90 in a 70 zone. I was like, 'Come on?' But that's what happens when you speed and get caught. They didn't let me off.

What do you like about the Tahoe?

It's really big, but it comes in handy. When we're in Calgary, sometimes we go up in Kananskis country for cycling and time trials and on a number of occasions I've been able to fit four people, four bikes, everyone's change of clothing, and all the cycling gear. One time we decided to have a barbeque and we fit all the barbeque stuff in the Tahoe, too. It has had its moments where it has been awesome. I love to use it when my team has to do something.

What don't you like about it?

It's brutal on gas, but I don't use it that often. I live close to the university so I often cycle or run - I don't like to walk. And I literally live across the street from the grocery store. Fortunately, since I don't need it that much it doesn't have much of an effect on my wallet.

I always make sure I live close to the things that I need like the university and the oval for training. But Calgary is a really car-oriented city. There are always little things you need to go out of your way to get.

What's your best and worst driving memory?

One of the best driving memories was at the time I started to drive (at age 16). My mom, my brother and I, we drove to Winnipeg in the summer. We followed the Great Lakes all the way around. I was driving through the Canadian Shield and it was really hilly with lots of turns - the roads aren't particularly fast but I remember it being fun. I remember getting that feeling you get when an elevator drops while I was driving around.

The worst probably was a couple of years ago. I never had lessons on how to drive a manual car. I've had a lot of friends over the years teach me. I'm not great, but I can drive. It just doesn't sound great or particularly smooth. One time there was nobody to drive, but I said I could drive. I stalled in the middle of the road and I was in a car that I wasn't used to so I didn't know where the lights were or anything. The sun was going down and I was panicking and freaking out. I completely forgot how to get the car started again. It took me 10-11 tries. I got off the busy road and I got out of the car. We called somebody else to drive.

What freaks you out about driving a stick?

The hills and roundabouts freak me out. I've stalled in the middle of a roundabout before - that's not fun. It makes me nervous when I stop and there are cars behind me. You don't want to stall or hold everybody up. I'm not much of a multi-tasker so I don't have it down enough to be super confident in my driving.

I've never had a manual car and I've never done it frequently enough to get a good feel for it. But last summer I got some good lessons from a friend. He was teaching me frequently. It's still not pretty, but now I don't stall.

When I get in the groove of it, it's a lot of fun. I actually think it's safer because you always have to be paying attention - shifting up and down and you're more aware of the traffic and the cars around you. You're way more engaged in the driving process. I think its way more fun than an automatic.

What do you listen to on the road?

It depends on the trip. Right now in my CD player I have the Black Eyed Peas, a little bit of rock blues. If I have a co-pilot, they're in charge of my music.

I'm not a great multi-tasker. I learned you shouldn't talk on the phone while you drive - I can't do it. If I tried, I would be one of those people who drive off the road. I get in the car, turn the key, hit play and then I'm driving - I don't worry about anything else.

What's your favourite driving road?

When I think of the most amazing roads I've been on, it's actually been when I've been cycling. When I was in training camp in California a few years ago, I was riding along through the vineyards, up and down in this beautiful Mediterranean climate. Once, I remember riding down to the beach when it was pouring rain, but it was that warm rain in 30 degree weather - it was just the most amazing thing.

If I could bring you the keys to any vehicle what would it be?

As a kid I always loved the '67 Mustang in classic red. Its one of the most beautiful designs ever - it looks so good. It has amazing lines. I don't know how it drives. But it's a beautiful car. I don't think you could go wrong with an Aston Martin in a dark grey colour, either.

The interview has been edited and condensed.

pgentile@globeandmail.com

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