Five Minutes with … Kristina Sundal
FEBRUARY 27, 2008

Kristina Sundal will be waving the KTM flag this summer.

By Danny Brault
Photos by Allison Kennedy


The third running of the Canadian Women’s National Series is getting a facelift this year. (Pardon the pun.) With Jolene Van Vugt and Suzuki Canada/OTSFF opening the door for women to race on factory teams, we’re going to see at least four fast females under big rigs in 2008; Van Vugt has moved over to Blackfoot (still on Suzuki however), Missy Hackett has signed with Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar, defending champ, Heidi Cooke, is with Monster Energy/ Cernic’s Kawasaki, and now Orange Motorsports KTM has hired on two-time Walton champ, Kristina Sundal. Sundal is a naturally gifted rider, with a great sense of humour, and a sparkling personality. Her presence and speed will definitely makes things interesting at the Women’s Nationals.


RXC: Kristina, we hear you’ve signed a big factory contract?
Kristina Sundal: According to the terms of my contract, I'm not allowed to talk about the terms of my contract.
 
Okay, [laughs] how did you start talking with KTM and Orange Motorsports?
I raced a little with Tina Wieringa from Orange Motorsports this year and then at Walton we had a fireside chat about riding a KTM for '08.
 
So which events will you race? The Women’s Nationals? Provincials? The TransCan?
Well, at the moment, I've been going to the gym and trying to ride a little at the Tillsonburg indoor track.  As for the season, the plan is to hit all of the Women's Nationals and as many Provincials as I can.  Walton is always a good time so it's on the road trip.  I'd also like to get out to a few local races like MMRS and LDR because I love the atmosphere—and the shorter drive!
 
How will you travel to the Western rounds?
I'll have to fly out to Regina because it's during the school year but Edmonton sounds like a road trip to me!
 
You’ve made a comeback over the last two years, winning motos at the Provincials and then grabbing a third in Ste-Julie last year. Are you surprised it came back so quickly?
A little.  I was pretty out of shape but I guess I have ten years of racing experience, so that helps a lot.  Also, I was just having a lot of fun and, thankfully, the provincial motos were short enough that I could finish them on adrenaline. As for Ste. Julie, I faded pretty hard after the third lap. But we did drive all night to get there and I had Doritos for dinner. Sweet Chili Heat [laughs]!
 
Where did you go for—what was it—two years?
In '03 I destroyed my knee at Walton. So, while waiting for “the” doctor at the Seaforth Hospital, I decided that I needed to give my body a break.  I took some time to get a real job, play some hockey, and then get my knee repaired.  Then in '06 and '07 I raced a little for fun, and, well, here I am.

Sundal's aggressiveness and technical skills always bring her up front.

 
When did you win Walton and who were your main competitors?
Jolene [Van Vugt] has always been my main competitor!  We've raced everywhere together.  Then there was Jess [Foster], Mal [Prochnavy], Angie Keuntjes, Heidi [Cooke], and Sarah Whitmore on their little bikes.
 
How did you get into motocross?
My cousin Shane started racing and then our whole family just went hardcore.  At first I was more interested in going on adventures in the trails than ripping up rooster tails on the tracks at the Raglan Pits. Then I got signed up to race the 80 B class at Mono Centre.  After I made it up the start hill and didn't come in last place, I figured racing wasn't that bad.
 
Women’s racing is obviously growing everywhere in the world. How cool is it to see women getting picked up by factory teams in Canada?
It is wicked.  Any support for a sport in Canada is a great thing.  It's actually one of the reasons I wanted to get back into racing.  When I left there wasn't a national series and the girls have worked so hard to make this happen that I really wanted to be a part of it!
 
Which up and coming girls impress you?
Based on last season, I would say Ami Houde, Missy Hackett, the Giroux sisters, Sara Laliberte, and I think Kate McKerroll will turn a few heads this season.
 
Now that you’re on a lightning fast KTM 250 SX-F, you should win the national championship. Is that the plan?
Lightning fast doesn't even come close to describing that bike [laughs]! My plan is to be in shape, have fun, and to ride like I know I can.  If I can do those things I definitely plan on mixing it up with the other contenders! Other than that, I intend on adding a little flavour to the mix.  Maybe I'll even throw a couple sick one-handers or fender kisses out at a race.  You just never know.
 
I hear that away from the track, you have one of the coolest jobs on the planet. What do you do?
You have been correctly informed.  When I am not at the track, I can be found teaching high school mathematics just outside of Toronto … and yes, it is cool.  Why are you avoiding eye contact? [laughs]
 
Actually, that’s not so cool. What do your students think of having a dirt bike rider for a teacher?
 Listen, math is cool.  y = mx + b.  What isn't cool about this equation of a line?  Okay, seriously, I don't really talk about racing with my classes, so most of the students don't know about it.  But once the nationals start I should have some good stories to tell in class between solving quadratics.
 
Any plans to go south there Einstein?
I plan to do a couple of little treks but nothing crazy.  I can't really take time off until the summer, except for a couple of days for the nationals. I've still got to clear those with the principal!
 
Great! We’re looking forward to seeing on the line this summer, Kristina.
Thanks, Danny.