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Miss England 2009 Rachel Christie on crashes, cars and her uncle Linford Christie…

"It was on a really narrow road. I hit a bump, skidded and crashed. I was in hospital with cuts and bruises, a black eye and whiplash. I was in pretty bad shape", Rachel recalls. "I somehow managed to pull myself together and make it to the Miss England finals. "I must have looked rough".

Far from it, for the young Miss Christie ended up winning the 2009 Miss England crown.

To celebrate Rachel's tenure as the UK's new leading lady, Renault West London gave her a brand new car to get her motoring; a Megane Coupe Cabriolet.

"I didn't pass my test first time - and I only passed in February. I was so confident I just jumped into the car without any preparation. I didn't even get a car straight after I passed either, because I couldn't afford it".

And this prompted the young Olympian to enter into beauty pageants… oh yes - did we forget to say? Rachel Christie is an athlete, currently training for the London 2012 Olympics.

The niece of superstar sprinter Linford Christie is already highly ranked in the 400 metres and heptathlon and is gunning her sights squarely at the upcoming Olympics.

"I'm on a break at the moment but I normally train six days a week - a couple of hours each day", she explains.
"I don't train with my uncle Linford, but he helps me out quite a lot."
However, things would be a little different if Rachel didn't have a dedication to sport…
"I probably wouldn't even bother going to the gym."

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