Since Derrick was a child, her parents were involved with skating. They managed and owned roller rinks until a few years ago, when Derrick made the switch from inline skating to ice. At a young age, her parents encouraged her to begin inline skating. She had picked up speedskating by age six.

Inline was her life until she transitioned to the ice just three years ago. Derrick believes that transition was the highlight of her career. She also credits it for getting her where she is today: on the way to her first Olympic Winter Games in Torino.

“It’s just been my life since I’ve been little,” Derrick said. “It’s what I grew up doing, so I guess it’s just what I enjoy most because it’s always been a part of my life. It’s how I met most of my best friends.”

Switching from inline to ice hasn’t been the only thing that has gotten Derrick this far. Her parents and three brothers have supported her, and cyclist Lance Armstrong has been a major inspiration as well.

“Just reading his books and stuff always helped,” Derrick said.

While many athletes have game-day rituals and practices, Derrick claims she has no special routine before a competition. She just enjoys the thrill of the competition.

“I just kind of go and skate,” she said. “There’s nothing certain. I know most people do something, but I’m not one of those people. I just go and skate for fun. I don’t really get too serious. I am, but not to the point where I can’t talk to people.”

Her calm attitude is likely to keep her focused during the competitive and sometimes stressful Olympic atmosphere.

Though she has plenty of support and motivation, this laid-back first-time Olympian didn’t think she would be heading to the Olympics this soon. Many of her fellow speedskaters have been skating on the ice for most of their skating careers. Her three years of on-the-ice experience seemed hardly comparable. Her skill and determination, however, earned her a much-deserved nomination to the U.S. Olympic Team.

Derrick has high hopes for this year’s Winter Games in Torino, but she makes it clear that the sport is unpredictable. In short-track speedskating, the race can change in an instant.

“I’m just going in for the experience,” Derrick said, “I mean, yeah I hope to do well, but you never know. Anything can happen. So it’s just going to be a fun experience… something new. It’s really hard to say, especially with short track, anything can happen.”

While Derrick’s Olympic career looks promising, she is still thinking about her future as well. As a student at Northern Michigan University, she is majoring in elementary education and hopes to one day teach.

As for how long she plans to speedskate?

“I’m going to skate until the day I get on the ice and say, ‘Wow, what am I doing? I don’t like this anymore,’ I’ll just go until I decide I don’t want to skate anymore.”

Whatever happens in Torino, one thing is clear: Kimberly Derrick is prepared for whatever comes her way.