Forum
Contact us at:
sicchicsofbmx@yahoo.com.au
Tanya Bailey
Firstly congratulations on
winning the elite national title for the second year in a row. Did you
feel as confident as last year going into this meet? Who did you think
your main competition would come from?
Thank you. I was pretty sure my main competition would come from Kylie
Patroni. She gets really good gates and I hadn’t raced her for a while
so I didn’t really know what to expect.
What did you think of
the track in Hobart?
It was sweet. Good gate, good berms and technical.
It was disappointing to
see that there were more 19+ female challenge riders than 19+ elite female
riders. What are your views on this?
I think we should all be together in one class like the Supergirls in the
States. That includes the younger girls also, say 16+. Kids would come up
and ask me if I was a Supergirl and go ‘Ohh Cool’. Its hard though
because we don’t want to lose the challenge girls that are just in it
for fun and aren’t prepared to pay the extra $’s to race elite. You
would have to ask one of them how they could be encouraged to race elite
because I can’t understand how racing challenge is satisfying,
especially for people who’ve previously held a national plate in elite.
I’m sure they have their reasons though and I definitely don’t want to
lose them from the sport.
There seems to be a lot
less girls racing bmx than say about 5-10 years ago. How do you think we
could recruit more girls in BMX? Could BMX be made more appealing to girls
in any way?
More promotion would help, not many people even realise girls race. Its
like the perception that BMX is a kids sport, they also think it’s a
boy’s sport. The article in Chick magazine last year and your website
are a good start.
You are looked up to by
many BMX’ers. What does this feel like?
It feels amazing to know that these kids watch me race and take notes, and
are stoked when I talk to them. I remember being one of them and looking
up to the pros so I always take time out to say Hi and ask how their
racing is going. I’m coaching a fair bit at the moment too which I
really enjoy.
Who did you look up to
when you were younger and why?
I looked up to some WA girls from back in the day. Shannon Wells, Mandy
Reynolds and Helena Giblett because I related to them and they took the
time of day to talk to me.
You are a really good
jumper. Who taught you how to jump and can you do any tricks?
My dad first taught me to jump, he built a little jump for me to practice
on at his work when I was about 6. I learnt bigger jumps when I was older
out of necessity and having guys egg me on which actually helps. I don’t
know if I’m that good a jumper I guess I just have a go. But thanks for
saying that!
Do you have any tips
for the younger riders who might be learning how to jump?
Bust big!!!
What do you do for
training? Do you have any training tips for the younger riders?
Grant White helps me out with a training program including gym, sprints
and riding. My tip would be to find a training partner. I’m finding it
hard at the moment because I’m training by myself. Also make sure
you’re always enjoying it.
Do you have any further
advice or words of wisdom for the younger female riders?
No matter what stick to it and ride out the tough times, it’s worth it.
I’ve gained so much from BMX. If girls are being bitchy don’t worry
they will get over it once they grow up and if guys are hassling you just
beat them!
What are your future
ambitions or goals? Is there anything you haven’t achieved that you
would like to?
There is plenty that I would that I would still like to achieve, I would
really love to do well at the worlds next year in my home city.
Tell us a bit about
yourself.
I had my 21st this year, I’m working as a gym instructor which is pretty
cruisy. When I get back from the worlds I will be doing more studying on
related topics like rehab or massage and sitting an exam for my personal
training accreditation. I’m a bit too busy for other sports but
occasionally play a bit of indoor beach volleyball. At the moment I’m
looking forward to going to Ireland after the worlds for a month or so and
doing a little travelling around Europe.
What sort of music do
you listen to and who is your favourite band/singer?
I like most music except popstar boyband crap and I listen to Triple J a
lot. The best song in the world is ‘You Can Do It’ by Ice Cube.
What is your favourite
TV show and movie?
Saved By the Bell cause Screech is a beast!!! Joking. My fave movies at
the moment American Pie 2 and Pay It Forward but the movie I’ve seen the
most is Dirty Dancing.
What do you do in your
spare time?
What’s that? Nah I just veg out and enjoy it.
This is the thank you
part, so fire away.
Cassap, Mum, Dad, Grant White, Kaye Haughton the living legend and
everybody who supports me.