Jessica Sheridan, 15.
“In the future I would like to race nationally around the country and to possibly one day get a chance to race overseas”.
Jessica’s journey to downhill mountain bike racer at age 15 has not been all smooth trails. She bounced from learning Karate and participating in Scouts and also tried out Soccer. It was one Soccer match in particular that her dad collected her and noted she didn’t look happy and that encouraged them to find a new sport.
Jess always loved riding a bike so they researched downhill mountain biking and soon connected with Victorian club Fat Tyre Flyers, in Long Gully. As a small but mighty 8 year old Jess’ skills grew rapidly, but being adventurous, energetic and determined didn’t save her from crashes. Jess needed a coach.
“ My coach [Ellie Wale] helped me gain speed and confidence to do a big jump or just a hard section down a track.”
Now Jess races against the clock in protective clothing, armour, and a full-face helmet (lightweight version of a motorcyclist). She launches off jumps, zooms around corners and glides through “rock gardens”, where trail deliberately includes the rockiest and bumpiest, most difficult parts of a mountainside to get through.
Photo credit Dean Rainford
Jess has achieved some fantastic racing results in her short career. She has finished 2nd overall in the Elite Women’s adult category of the Victorian Downhill Series and stood on top of the winner’s podium as the National Under 15’s champion. These are massive results and rewards Jess for the bumps and breaks along the way.
It’s not all high adrenaline and race podiums though Jess says. Injuries are common and she works hard to come back from injury to her sport, stronger than she was pre-injury.
“…when I crash off my bike I don’t call it a failure I think of it as a learning curve and how I can improve off of that.”
An important role model for Jess is professional Australian mountain bike racer, Tracey Hannah. Jess dreams of being a skilled rider like her and to have the chance to ride overseas, and from her race results to date, she is definitely growing fast from being Small but Mighty to completely Mighty.
“I don’t think my achievement would impact others but if it does I would hope that it would encourage young girls to ride”.
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