Rachel und George Atherton think their WC medals are nice, to be sure. Yet the siblings find greater sporting gratification in getting one over each other in an internal family duel. The two of them in an interview.

September 9 will no doubt go down in Atherton family history. At the Mountainbike World Championships in Fort William, Great Britain, the local heroes Rachel and Gee Atherton were not only the home stars – each of them also celebrated the biggest achievement of their respective careers to date: Rachel, 19, won the silver medal in the women’s category; Gee, 22, won bronze in the men’s. In separate interviews we had the competitive brother and sister complete the same sentences – and then compared their answers.

Riding downhill at high speed feels like ...

Rachel: ... flying.

Gee: ... a natural thing for me, something I feel totally comfortable doing.

 

The coolest moment in a world championship race was when ...

Rachel: ... I set off from the start and everybody was cheering.

Gee: ... I crossed the finish line and the whole crowd was roaring in the arena. That was an amazing feeling!

 

The best thing about winning a medal in your home country is ...

Gee: ... that I got to stand on the podium in front of a British crowd which is the best in the world.

Rachel: ... having all your friends and family there to see and make everybody proud.

 

That one of you got silver and the other one got bronze means that ...

Rachel: ... we can be proud of ourselves.

Gee: ... I’m gonna have to grab gold next year to beat her.

 

One thing you’re better at than Rachel is ...

Gee: ... dancing. She’s got no moves.

 

One thing you’re better at than Gee is ...

Rachel: ... cooking.

 

One thing Rachel is better at than you is ...

Gee: I don’t know, probably at making a mess.

 

One thing Gee is better at than you is ...

Rachel: Hmmm ... no, there’s nothing.

 

One thing you would never share with Rachel is ...

Gee: ... any food.

 

One thing you would never share with Gee is ...

Rachel: ... my motorbike.

 

That I got a world championship medal means that ...

Gee: ... I am the man!

Rachel: ... I can sell it on Ebay and make a lot of money ... No, that I have to try and take gold next year!

Robin Kitchin
Rachel and Gee Atherton
Geoff Waugh
Rachel Atherton
Graeme Murray
Gee Atherton