Katerina Nash

How does FOX contribute to your success?
It is very important to have good suspension. MTB racing a bumpy road and FOX can handle the demand.

Tell us about your bike/vehicle setup.
I run a FOX FLOAT with manual lockout for my hard-tail. I play with pressure based on the course. 55-60 psi. My rebound is set right in the middle. I like the manual lock out because it gives me immediate response to the terrain I have to deal with. I also have a TALAS 36 on my Orbea Rallon. Amazing fork that can handle about anything that I will ride. I also use float RP23 on both my full-suspension bikes. I like the lock out feature because I prefer to ride to the top of the hill, but I really like to have a full-suspension on the way down especially around Tahoe.

What else is in your garage?
Endless amount of skis. Backcountry, alpine, nordic skis. Ice skates, hockey sticks and tennis rackets.

What's your training regimen?
I exercise every day. If I don't train on my bike, I'm running, hiking or skiing with my dogs.

Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
I broke 7 ribs in my first year of mtb racing. I tried not to laugh or sneeze for two weeks and after that I was fine. I also broke my ankle while skiing. That one took little longer to heal, but cycling helped.

What's your typical pre-race/event meal? Guilty pleasure?
I like Thai food or risotto before race. Something with rice and veggies. Occasionally I will eat pasta as well. Chocolate is a perfect pre-race desert, or every day desert?

How do you determine which races or events to enter each year?
Certain races are selected by my Luna Pro Team and I choose the rest. I try to race at home as much as possible. There are lot of great events in Northern California/ Nevada and I always come and race if I'm not in Europe.

What motivated you to get started professionally?
Racing has been part of my whole life and I have been lucky to take it this far. I enjoy it and have worked at it since 10 years old. I didn't plan on being a pro racer. I followed my dreams and took it year by year. I spent 15 years ski racing and then fully switched to cycling. It is nice to experience both summer and winter sports.

What separates you from other professional athletes?
Sometimes I'm few second ahead of other races and sometimes behind.

What would you be doing if you weren't a professional athlete?
Using my marketing degree for some great company. Or growing vegetables.

What's the best thing about being a professional athlete?
I get to ride my bike all the time, I get to explore the world on my bike.

What other sports are you interested in?
Skiing

Any advice to the readers dreaming to turn pro?
Set up reasonable goals and enjoy the process. Every bad race should make you work harder instead of knocking you down.

What are your favorite magazines and websites?
Sunset magazine, Scientific American mtbs.cz sfgate.com

Favorite movie quote?
Looks like you have been missing work lately. I wouldn't say I have been missing it. Office Space

Are you a Mac or PC? Mac

Top 3 bands Cracker, The Who, Jackie Green

Greatest strength Always looking for the positive

Most frustrating challenge Trying to get over racing mistakes and learn from them