Andrew Nicholson: Speed Skater and Short Track speed skater
Hi Andrew, you participated in the Olympics in several years, what is your fondest memory of the games?
Probably things like all the free food and olympic uniforms myself and my team mates had had to self fund right up the games. We worked full time and used our own money for years before Albertville. Our association and Olympic committe ignored us Zero funding and having to do everything on the cheap meant small things like this were so appreciated I don’t think most other, usually pampered athletes even noticed things like that.
A lot of character was built doing it on the cheap. Also the ski jumping torch lighter at Lillehammer opening ceremony was a specific and very memorable Winter Olympic memory. Getting 4th in the relay with my team was an interesting life lesson. Heart breaking at the time. Incredible 31 years later.
In 2015 you broke a record: you cycled around the world in 123 days. Can you tell us what drove you on this adventure?
I was in a bad way mentally at the time, struggling to be taken seriously as a teacher. Couldn’t find work. Tired of relief teaching, getting angry and depressed just trying to get ahead in life and not being taken seriously. At the same time I had 2 friends die of cancer ( my ride was in support or cancer research) No point sitting around moping, you can have youth life cut short at any moment I thought. It was the reminder to make the most of every day. In spite of having little funding, I took my bike and off I went. Crazy I survived on reflection.
After the Winter World Masters Games you will leave for Austria to take part in the Alternative Elfstedentocht, a legendary Dutch outdoor speed skating race, due to climate change this year will be held in Austria. What are your goals for these competition?
Simply to finish will do. At my best I might have been able to mix it with the best but reality is too many years have gone by and we have nothing but hockey rinks in NZ to train on and as with much of the world natural ice is becoming a thing of the past and nothing beats skating as nature intended. I love natural ice skating. Finishing will do but I will go as fast as possible.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Andrew! I look forward to seeing you in January.
Andrew Nicholson: Born 12/07/1970
Current Profession: Watercolour Artist
Speed Skater and Short Track speed skater
Broke world record 1500m Short track 1992
Part of World Champion New Zealand relay team 1993 with world record
Competitor 1992 Albertville Olympics Short track speed skating (4th place in relay, best ever placing)
Competitor 1994 Olympics Short track Speed skating
Competitor 1998 Nagano Speed skating (First ever New Zealand Long track skater)
Multisport athlete and powerliftig competitor in New Zealand 2000-2015, Loves gardening , art, history, guitar and hiking in New Zealand wilderness
2015 Broke Guiness world record for circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle, 123 days 240m per day non stop. Did the ride in support of cancer research. (record has been beaten)
