Name: Caroline Buchanan

Pursuit: BMX

Aim for the Stars London 2012 Squad In 2010 Caroline was named the Australian Elite Female BMX & MountainBike Cyclist of the Year and ACT Sports Star Of The Year. Caroline currently has a BMX world ranking of 5th and finished 2nd in the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup rankings. In 2010 staring on the mountainbike Caroline defended her Four Cross Mountain Bike World Title as well as was globally voted Swatch Female BMX Supercross rider of the year. She is a member of the Elite Development Squad training for 2012 and is one of Australia’s best hopes for a BMX medal at the Olympic Games in London.

When did you start? At 3 years old my Dad sat me on my 1st bike I started racing BMX at age 5, Mountain biking at age 15

Career highlight or biggest achievement? That would have to be winning the 4cross World Mountain Bike Championships in Canberra held at Stromlo Forest Park in 2009. The event was run so quickly that we were all hurting and feeling very lactic, I put everything into it and if it had not been for the 10,500 strong Aussie home crowd I may not have made it. They lifted me and brought me home in the last few straights and I was screaming with the effort, then crossing the finish line in 1st, wow! I felt so ill, and so light, and so happy. I have competed in many World Championships in both BMX and Mountain Biking over the years and have had lots of top 10 finishes but this was my first win in either and the BEST FEELING EVER! It was a fairytale and the whole night went to plan.

What is your dream? To win a BMX Gold medal for Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games

Who or what have inspired you?

Who's your hero? Layne Beachley, she is an inspiring mentor and hero for me passing on priceless knowledge and support and Tara Llanes – a professional Mountainbiker , now a paraplegic who has shown great determination and strength on her road to recovery Layne Beachley, she is an inspiring mentor and hero for me passing on priceless knowledge and support and Tara Llanes – a professional Mountainbiker , now a paraplegic who has shown great determination and strength on her road to recovery Layne Beachley, she is an inspiring mentor and hero for me passing on priceless knowledge and support and Tara Llanes – a professional Mountainbiker , now a paraplegic who has shown great determination and strength on her road to recovery

Any other special talents? Graphic design, art and crafts

Favourite Music? Aussie Hip Hop

Favourite Movie? Basketball

Favourite Book?

Favourite TV Show?

Favourite Food? Burritos and Mango.

How the grant will help you/how will you use the money? It is really important for me to be at the top of my game in 2011 at all the World Cup/Olympic Qualifying rounds as the Australian Team needs to qualify Australia as a country and then if ranked in the top 4 countries 2 girls from Australia will be selected to go to London. I currently have the highest world ranking out of the Australian girls. I believe that if I can continue to focus on being a full time athlete and minimise injury I will be in London ready to win a gold medal :) The grant money is going to help me not only remain focussed on my goal but not stress about money being a full time athlete with limited funding for female athletes. I will use the money for national and international travel in 2011. I loved being part of the Aim For The Stars program in 2010 and to have Layne as a mentor as part of this - her advice and the programs support has been priceless.

Last words: Quote or Motto you live by? Don’t let success get to your head and failure to your heart, be yourself because everyone else is taken. There are 3 “D”s to success, Determination, Desire, Dedication and Discipline