Christine Nesbitt, from London, Ontario, How to Get to the started long track at 18. Two years later, she’s ranked second in at the 1,000-metre event and is competing for a spot on the Olympic team. OWL caught up Olympics with her to find out how she did it. VITAL STATS:

School: University of Worst injury: Falling in short track and hurting my ankle. I was on crutches for a week! Favourite sports: Hockey, cross-country, soccer Hero: Mario Lemieux Hidden talent: Composing music (from Grade 6 onwards) Favourite music: Coldplay Favourite book: The Count of Monte Cristo

OWL: What’s the first competition you won? Christine: I won in short track at the Ontario provincials in 1998, the first year I skated. OWL: What’s the most exciting event you’ve ever competed in? Christine: The World Championships in Inzell, Germany, in 2005. I didn’t expect to be skating in them, so I was so excited and in awe! My dream is to OWL: How do you train for the Olympic trials? represent Canada in Christine: In the winter we skate about 25 to 30 hours a week. the Olympics in Turin, In the summer we don’t skate very much — mostly cycling, weights, and running. Italy, and bring back some medals! OWL: What other stuff do you do? Christine: Lots of imitations — that’s where you stand in skating position and walk forward quickly. We Courtesy of () also do different kinds of jumps over hurdles Photos: Mike Sturk; Ridewood (inset); to help our explosiveness and power. OWL: Do you have to eat a special diet? Christine: It’s just a well-balanced diet. Not eating too much or too little, and eating at the proper times. If you do a hard training program, it’s important to Christine trains at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, eat immediately afterward — the only indoor 400-metre otherwise your body will be long track in Canada. mad at you later! OWL 15