Kirsten Gum

MEET The "RED HOT" KIRSTEN GUM

As the solo woman on OLN’s all-star Tour de France broadcast team, Kirsten Gum has quickly become one of the most recognized on-air personalities in sports commentating. She is versatile and charismatic, with a vivacious on-screen presence, but Kirsten is not just another pretty face – even If she was voted the sexiest woman in Charlotte, North Carolina. . . OK, maybe she did win twice. Kirsten’s ease in front of the camera comes from years of experience covering a wide range of world-class events: from NASCAR and the Tour de France to ESPN’s Great Outdoor Games, the PBR World Championships, World Cup Skiing and the grueling three-week off-road race through Africa – the Dakar Rally.

KIRSTEN GUM'S BIO

Kirsten Gum’s trip to the top has been a quick one. She began her broadcasting career at age 23 as a news reporter in Jefferson City, Missouri, and paid her dues in a number of markets as she sprinted through the ranks. In a few short years she was part of an award-winning anchor team with FOX 18 WCCB in Charlotte. It wasn’t long before producers at the national level took notice of her engaging personality and easy charm. In 2000 she was hired to host Fox Sports Net’s Totally NASCAR. Though she knew little about NASCAR before signing with Fox, Kirsten proved to be a fast learner. Almost immediately, her sense of humor and enthusiasm won her loyalty from viewers. More importantly, she earned respect from the NASCAR drivers themselves, enabling her to get in depth interviews and stories. In 2002 ESPN lured Kirsten away to host their Outdoor Block, and her versatility made her a key part of the ESPN team; she could be seen reporting from the sidelines and hosting events as varied as women’s college basketball, the Great Outdoor Games, and the Bassmasters series.

The Outdoor Life Network chose Kirsten in 2003 to join Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen and Bob Roll as part of its high-profile Tour de France crew. Once again, Kirsten rose to the challenge, calling on her reporting chops and cycling background to present stories that added color and depth to the three-week long event. And once again, she was able to win a broad fan base in unfamiliar territory.

An Alaska native currently living in Los Angeles, Kirsten is hardly a spectator. Off camera, she is as hard -core as the athletes she covers during her day job; in October 2005 she completed the “Beast of the East”, a 400-mile adventure race in Virginia. Racing on just 10 hours of sleep during the five-day event, Kirsten and her team fought their way to a strong second place finish. That result earned her a spot on the Bulleit Bourbon team for Primal Quest®, the world’s toughest Expedition Adventure Race. She and her teammates finished the 450 mile race in the desert and canyons of Moab, Utah in 9 days.

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Don’t pigeonhole her as a tomboy, though. She is equally at home in Lycra or a little black dress. Kirsten is passionate about sports, but her enthusiasm extends to travel and a wide range of new experiences. When she’s not continent hopping for work or play, Kirsten can be found hiking, cycling, snowboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, horseback riding, or surfing. She has the field experience to file insightful, inspiring stories, the charisma to win over a national audience, and the on-screen presence to give any project “big-event” feel.