Divina Galica
Formula racing // Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire, England
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Olympic skiing champion Divina Galica seamlessly transitioned to motorsport at 28, becoming one of the first women to attempt qualifying for Formula One Grand Prix races.
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Being on track with the big boys can be terrifying, I was going flat out through the huge bend at the far end of the track at around 165mph when four cars passed me as though I was standing still. I think they were Andretti, Hunt, Lauda and Reutemann.
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FULL BIO: Divina Galica
Divina Galica stands as one of motorsport’s most versatile pioneers, having competed in both four Winter Olympics as a champion skier and Formula One as one of the first women to attempt qualifying for Grand Prix racing.
EARLY YEARS
Born in August 1944 in Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire, Divina grew up in a middle-class family as one of six children. Her mother June introduced her to skiing at just four years old during a family trip to Lenk, Switzerland, igniting what would become a lifelong passion. Tragedy struck when her father passed away shortly after her sixth birthday, but her enthusiasm for skiing remained undimmed. Her older brother, whom she credits as her “first trainer,” pushed her competitively during their yearly ski trips. At 13, her mother sent her to school in Switzerland to nurture her growing talent, where a Shakespeare quote from Lady Macbeth about the necessary “illness” of ambition deeply resonated with her developing athletic mindset. By 15, her potential was recognized by a trainer at the Downhill Only Club in Wengen, who provided proper equipment and predicted her future success in the sport.
EARLY SUCCESS
Divina’s athletic career began not on racetracks but on the slopes, where she established herself as one of Britain’s premier alpine skiers. She competed in four consecutive Winter Olympics from 1964 to 1976, achieving impressive 7th and 8th place finishes in the giant slalom and placing 10th at the 1970 World Championships. Her skiing prowess earned her two podium finishes in World Cup downhill events and a 13th overall ranking in the 1968 World Cup standings. Her unexpected transition to motorsport came at 28 when she accepted an invitation to a celebrity auto race, where her natural driving ability immediately caught attention. Under the mentorship of John Webb and Nick Whiting, she rapidly progressed through the motorsport ranks, starting with karting before advancing to Formula Two and eventually Formula One. Despite equipment limitations, she impressed in her first season in the British Shellsport International Group 8 series in 1976, securing podium finishes including third at Brands Hatch and second at Donington Park while driving a Surtees TS16 Formula One car.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1964-1976: Represented Great Britain in four Winter Olympics as an alpine skier[2].
- 1968: Finished 13th overall in the World Cup skiing standings[3].
- 1976: Became the third woman to attempt qualifying for a Formula One World Championship race at the British Grand Prix[1].
- 1976: First driver to use the number 13 in a World Championship Formula One event since 1926[5].
- 1976: Secured podium finishes at Brands Hatch (3rd) and Donington Park (2nd) in the British Shellsport International Series[1].
- 1978: Made multiple Formula One Grand Prix qualifying attempts despite a dangerous accident in Argentina[4].
REPUTATION
Divina is celebrated as a trailblazing competitor who fearlessly crossed the boundaries between winter sports and motorsport, becoming one of the few athletes to compete at both Olympic and Formula One levels. Her decision to race with the traditionally unlucky number 13 in Formula One demonstrated her rebellious spirit and willingness to challenge conventions. Though she never qualified for a Formula One World Championship race, her versatility across multiple racing disciplines—from karting to Formula Two, sports cars, and truck racing—established her as a formidable all-around driver. Despite often competing with less competitive machinery and limited resources, her podium finishes and lap records showcased both technical skill and determination. In a male-dominated era of motorsport, Galica’s persistence and adaptability carved a path for future generations of female racers, earning respect not for being a woman in racing, but for being a racer who happened to be a woman.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Today, Divina occasionally participates in vintage motorsports events, connecting with fans while celebrating racing heritage. Her focus has shifted toward preserving her pioneering legacy and inspiring new generations of female drivers rather than pursuing additional professional racing campaigns.
References:
Divina Galica: From Olympic Skier to Formula One Pioneer
Olympic Athletes in Motorsport: Divina Galica’s Dual Career
Women in Formula One: Breaking Barriers on the Grid
British Racing Legends: Divina Galica’s Remarkable Journey
Formula One History: Unconventional Number Choices
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