RACE REPORT
Given a wildcard entry for the PTO 2020 Championship at Challenge Daytona, Canada’s Angela Naeth, one of the fastest cyclists in the sport, was able to take part in the biggest prize money event in triathlon history. Originally from Prince George, B.C., she now lives in Easton, Mass. with her boyfriend, Tim Snow.
You were able to inspire your mom to get into training for a triathlon, has she done her first race yet? She does all the training as if she was going to do a race, but still hasn’t signed up for one yet. She says that she isn’t the competitive type, but I disagree. I didn’t get mine from anyone else.
What have been a couple of things that have kept you motivated during the past nine months? Initially, I was like everyone else in thinking it was just going to be a couple of months but, here we still are.
I’ve also been doing a lot of racing on Zwift. A few of us pros created a racing team that continued to develop into a large race team thanks to Amanda Wendorff (fellow pro athlete and avid Zwift racer).
I have also being doing a lot of work with my sponsors hosting virtual events and challenges: virtual time trials and running races.
I have also been keeping busy with my, “I Race Like a Girl” triathlon team. We have about 300 people around the world, and a lot in Canada. It’s such a great community and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to share my experiences and support our fantastic ladies.
How did you come up with that name for your team and what is its purpose? It started up about four years ago, when I was thinking about why I got into triathlon in the first place. And, really, it was the fun from doing those smaller races when I was learning the ropes in B.C., and my remembering my amazing homestay experiences from racing throughout the years.
I decided to create something to give back to the community, especially for females. The club really encourages female triathletes, cyclists and runners of all ages and abilities to empower themselves and each other. We want to just get out there and go race, have fun, and encourage each other along the way.
You, Rach McBride, and Jen Annett are all recognized as being among the fastest female cyclists at the half and full distances. And you all are, or were, from B.C. What’s the connection or secret? I’m not sure, maybe it has something to do with B.C.’s climate or geography. Maybe that contributes to our tenacity, our grit, which shows up on the bike.
If there was an Angela Naeth blooper reel that we would be watching, what would be on it? I remember once in an early race, I ran out of transition with my helmet on, so that would be on it for sure. Some not so funny bloopers would be the times that I crashed my bike. And yes, I have got lost on a race course.—KEVIN