Top NZ cyclist Sarah Ulmer is an inspiration to future sports stars and ordinary nzgirls’ alike. Sarah’s career hit a high in 2002 with a gold medal at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, and it hasn’t slowed down since. Now in training for the Athen’s Olympics, Sarah Ulmer is this month’s Carefree Woman We Love…
Quick facts: Born: March 14, 1976 Place of birth: Auckland, New Zealand Marital status: boyfriend, Brendan Cameron (national cyclist)
From humble beginnings…
Sarah didn't start cycling until she was 16. At the time, she was playing squash, volleyball, hockey, tennis and cricket. Her friend was a cyclist and she thought it looked cool, so she climbed on a bike and that was it. Two years later, she won both the Individual Pursuit and the Points Race at the Junior World Championships.
“My first race was secondary school team time trialling along Auckland's waterfront. My first actual race was a Manukau Club Race that dad dragged me along to...which was the start of many!”
…to world-beater! 2003: 1st Individual Pursuit, Mexico World Cup
1st 3000m Pursuit, Sydney World Cup 2002: 1st Individual Pursuit National Track Championships
1st Individual Pursuit, Manchester Commonwealth Games 2001: 1st Individual Pursuit, Mexico City World Cup 2000: 4th Individual Pursuit, Olympic Games, Sydney
But there’s always time to relax…
“I like cruising with the hounds when I get to see them (Sarah has 2 boxer dogs), movies/videos, learning French… We used to get out for the odd golf game, but last time we played I had to do a down-trou on the 11th green after doing an air shot, so I've been put off golf for a while…”
She hasn’t let success go to her head…
"I think Manchester was one of the fastest [tracks] I've ridden on, so you have to keep in perspective things like venues, the event and your competition when analysing your performances."
Her heroes are here at home…
“I think Susan Devoy is a complete legend...she was around when I was starting cycling, and was a wicked sportsperson to follow and look up to when I was trying to rip into it.”
Despite her busy schedule, Sarah always has time for charity work…
“I'm helping to promote, and to a lesser extent organise, a Women's Only Fun Ride, and Kid's Only Fun Ride in March this year called the Bike Day Out. I also work as a Junior Sports Ambassador (for SPARC), and doing various work with my sponsors.”
Sarah’s Hit List…
- Austin Powers 1-2-3…
- Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger
- Pizza, lasagne, curry and banana smoothies
- Holidays in remote areas of New Zealand and France
** Thanks to www.cyclingnz.com for letting us use extracts of their recent interview with Sarah, for this feature.
