Good Sports: Fiona Southorn

Northland cyclist Fiona Southorn was thrust into the limelight with her accomplishments at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She followed up her Paralympic bronze medal by winning the female section of the Tour of Northland earlier this year. Here's what Southorn had to say ...

How did you get into cycling to start with, and how many years all up has it been? What was it that drew you to the bike in the first place?

I started riding as a means of transport to and from work and to help with keeping healthy and fit about 18 years ago. I was encouraged to join the local cycling club where I discovered my love of racing at a greater intensity, it was fun and a great way to meet people. Prior to cycling I was competing in equestrian, I now only have myself to blame if I don't perform.

Last year you won your first medal at a world championship event in 10 years, how satisfying was it to finally break the drought? What were the first thoughts to go through your head?

An amazing feeling, to finally break a very old personal best and know that I still had what it took to be competitive, it was then I thought that I might make the team for London. It was about having a great team around me, great support and a fabulous coach that had me training smarter.

Post London, what have you been doing to keep yourself busy? How is it for you balancing sport and work, do you find yourself constantly trying to prioritise aspects of your life?

Yes, very busy, working full time for Bayleys Real Estate. I have also not stopped training and completed the Wellington to Auckland 7 day race, the Northland tour and Waikato and Auckland championships. I'm always juggling appointments around, my training is an appointment every day, sometimes twice per day, I have to fit it in without compromising service in my job so I get up early and train later in the evenings most days.

Will we be seeing you on a bike in Rio 2016 or is it too early to say?

It is too early to say, I've been selected for the Para-team for the World Cycling Champs in Canada, watch this space.