Maria Cruz Garcia: Carson, California
Maria Cruz Garcia, US Olympic Short Track Speedskater, lives and trains in her hometown of Carson, California with the support of her tight knit Mexican-American family. Like many young girls, Maria developed an early love of figure skating and “took to the sport quite naturally.” Then, when Maria was eleven, her mother came across a poster for speedskating, a more affordable sport for the family. “With a passion for skating and a natural talent for speed, Maria made the successful switch to speedskating,” a change up that sent her all way to the 2006 Torino Olympics. Maria was a member of the 2009 World Cup Team and continued disciplined training at home, as she set her sights on earning a spot on the US Olympic Team and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Check out Maria Cruz Garcia’s career updates at US Speedskating!
The Concierge Questionnaire: Maria Cruz Garcia, Olympic Speedskater
What is your favorite word to describe Carson?
Convenient.
What word best reflects the people of Carson?
Diverse.
What is the most creative, spiritual or emotional place in Carson?
Home. It’s where my dreams began and where my friends and family gather; they continuously inspire me.
What is your favorite outdoor activity in Carson?
All things La Brea Avenue. The boutique shopping, cafes and bakeries.
What is your favorite indoor activity in Carson? Speedskating. There is nothing better than to feel the chill of an ice rink, while the sun is blazing on a hot California day.
What is your favorite sound or noise in Carson?
The Goodyear Blimp always brings my thoughts back home. It lands about 400 yards from my house and I see it all over the city, either out advertising or flying above various sporting events.
First used for aerial surveillance during WWII, The Goodyear Blimp is a helium filled airship. Goodyear’s Spirit of America is based in Redondo Beach, California.
What is your favorite smell or taste in Carson?
Carne Asada tacos from our many taco trucks.
Carne Asada is a thin cut of beef, which is usually marinated prior to grilling. The beef is often then chopped and eaten in a burrito or taco.
What drink best reflects Carson?
Jarritos from the taco trucks!
"More than fifty years ago, Jarritos was introduced as Mexico’s first national soft drink.” Today, this iconic Mexican brand bottles the “traditional Mexican flavors made with 100% natural sugar including: Tamarind, Mandarin, Fruit Punch, Jamaica, Lime, Grapefruit, Guava, Pineapple, Strawberry, Mango, Watermelon, and Lemon-Lime.”
What song or type of music best reflects Carson?
It would be a mix of hip-hop and ranchera.
Ranchera's Pepe Aguilar.
If Heaven were Carson, what would God say to a visitor when they arrive at the Pearly Gates? I’m sorry, we’re experiencing heavy traffic.
Maria Cruz Garcia: Carson, California • Carson, California • Phone: ***