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Independent
(adjective): Free from the influence, guidance, or control
of others... Not determined or influenced by someone or something
else.
"Here's a bunch of ten chicks that
truly define what it means to be an independent woman. Admire
them, respect them, or simply use them for inspiration!"
Niki is on the cover of this special issue
of Chick magazine. This issue celebrates independence and
everything that goes with it. Chick lists Niki as one of the
top ten girls getting about, including Natalie Portman, Laura
Imbruglia and Lauren Jackson.
Using a combination of brains, beauty and
cycling prowess, 24 year old Niki Gudex has established herself
as one of our leading downhill mountain bike racers. Voted
Australia’s 2002 Sexiest Sportswoman in Inside Sport,
when she isn’t studying at uni or speaking one of four
languages she is fluent in, Niki is working hard to make the
Australian Cross Country Olympic Team for Athens in 2004.
Not bad for a chick that took up the sport a mere four years
ago.
Niki wandered into a bike shop by chance
after busting a pedal on a mate’s bike. The guy working
there encouraged her to give racing a go, so she hopped on
a bike and loved it so much, she blew all the dosh she had
been saving for a snowboarding trip to Canada on a brand spanking
new mountain bike.
Despite not knowing anyone who rode, Niki
turned up to a race the very next weekend. “I was totally
unprepared,” she remembers. “I didn’t even
know you were meant to take water with you!” Everyone
she met that day was so supportive that Niki was encouraged
to keep going. So the following weekend she entered herself
in the National Championships and won her category.
From there, she hasn’t stopped. “Everyone
in the sport is great, really nice,” she says. “There
aren’t that many girls riding, but the guys and girls
do co-exist.” Niki reckons the most important thing is
having a go. “If you want it to happen, you can make
it happen,” she says. “It’s important to be
independent because it gives you a sense of self - a feeling
of control. I like knowing I can take care of myself.”
Profile: Luisa Browett. Photographed by:
Ezra Patchett.
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