CATHARINE PENDREL

CROSS COUNTRY RACER, OLYMPIAN

My partner Keith and I decided to form Pendrel Racing because we have experienced the complete journey of developing from inexperienced privateer to world champion. As coaches and athletes, we felt we had a lot of experience to offer and really just wanted to help other athletes pursue their ambitions. I think to have gone through my entire career and all the learning that happens along the way and to not give back and share some of that learning is to miss a big part of what my role is as a professional and national team athlete. Canada has always been a strong nation in mountain biking because we have athletes who have shown each other what is possible. I think we need to keep doing that on and off of the race course to continue to be one of the best mountain biking nations in the world. My other youth initiatives include president, Kamloops Bike Riders Association since 2016; co-founder of the KBRA Kids League, which offers free skills camps and races to kids age 7 to 12; Little Bellas ambassador; Fast and Female ambassador.