For those in the triathlon world, Paula Findlay’s win at the TT nationals is hardly a shock
The Alberta rider beat some big names
Photo by:
Stefan Ritter
Although the name is very familiar to the triathlon world, Paula Findlay wasn’t as well-known in cycling. She is now. Kevin MacKinnon of Triathlon Magazine Canada wrote that it should hardly be a surprise. “We all knew she was a phenomenal cyclist, but now the cycling community will figure that out, too.”
On Thursday, Canadian Olympian and half-distance specialist Paula Findlay returned to her hometown, Edmonton, to take the Canadian National Time Trial Championships. Findlay is a five-time winner of the World Triathlon Series, so it’s no surprise that she is an incredible cyclist. Then 33-year-old was elated with her first (cycling) national championship. Given whom she beat, it’s highly unlikely it will be the last.
“I absoltuely loved riding as hard as I could without swimming before or running after,” Findlay wrote on Instagram after the race. And, she is quick to point out she is “not contemplating a career change, but it was so much fun (and painful).
Jenna Nestman was an early leader with 45:44, while Laury Milette held the fastest time for the u-23 women with 48:17. Paula Findlay then overtook Nestman by 1:04. Milette shuffled down the deck, and track star Ngaire Barraclough took over the best u-23 time with 45:24 and also hold off Sarah van Dam.
Findlay put 39 seconds into continental pro rider Marie-Soleil Blaise and almost a minute into former national champion and WorldTour rider Leah Kirchmann.
Elite Women
1) Paula Findlay (Unaffiliated) 44:40
2) Marie-Soleil Blaise (Farto-BTC) +0:39
3) Leah Kirchmann (Team DSM) +0:53
