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Land Rover Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Maria Sharapova
Tennis champion and Land Rover brand ambassador, Maria Sharapova, hosted a pool party at a private Malibu canyon estate to celebrate Land Rover’s 60th Anniversary. The event took place as part of Land Rover’s “Choice of Experts” tour, held at the Villa De La Vina estate, a Spanish-style home with picturesque canyon views, nestled in the Santa Monica mountains of Malibu. Here she tells us about the thrill of off-roading, how much she loves her Range Rover, and training for the Olympics.
DURING THE MALIBU EVENT YOU HAD YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE OF OFF-ROADING. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
Insane. At one point on the trail, I was driving the LR3 down the side of a mountain, just hanging on to the wheel. The instructor is telling me to keep off the brake pedal, which goes against all your instincts. You just have to put your trust in the vehicle. I was just amazed at its capability.
WILL IT MAKE YOU LOOK AT YOUR RANGE ROVER IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT?
I love my Range Rover. I keep a Supercharged both in Florida and here in California. It fits into my lifestyle perfectly. I’m a tall girl and I need space behind the wheel, which the Range Rover gives me. I drive it all over town; to tennis practice in the morning, to the gym, to see friends. I’m the one with the window down and the music cranked up. But for now, I think I’ll stay on-road and enjoy the off-roading at Land Rover events.
YOU’VE BEEN PARTNERED WITH LAND ROVER SINCE 2006. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE BRAND?
Long before I began working with Land Rover, I made myself a promise: It was that as soon as I got my license, the vehicle I would have, would be a Range Rover. Of course I kept that promise. It’s a great brand for me to be associated with, and I really like the association. It’s a good fit. And for me, what’s important is that Land Rover understands, and believes, in the sport I play in.
YOU CAN’T BE DOING MUCH DRIVING WITH ALL THE TOURNAMENTS YOU HAVE COMING UP.
Right now I’m training hard for the Olympics next month. It’s been a dream of mine since I was very young to represent my country. Before that, I play a tournament in Montreal. Then, straight after the Olympics, it’s the U.S. Open, one of the biggest Grand Slams in the world. Yes, you could call it a pretty hectic schedule.
DID YOU HAVE FUN HELPING CELEBRATE LAND ROVER’S 60TH?
How could I not have fun? We were at a gorgeous house up in the mountains behind Malibu with a lot of interesting people, just hanging out by the pool. And the bonus was the off-road driving course just a couple of miles away. It was like everything I do with Land Rover – it always turns into a little bit of an adventure.
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