Woman Racer Spotlight: Tennille Irish

Name: Tennille Irish

Hometown: Too many to say, I was an Army Brat… born in Homestead, FL.

How did you get into cycling? Life long competitive swimmer, started to do relays (swim leg) for triathlons, then decided to bike and run as well.  

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? Since September 2021

Are you part of a Virtual team? RAVE, TTT Rhino, and SISU.

Random fact:  I have met members of most of the teams I ride with on Zwift IRL. Australia, Minnesota, and NYC!

What do you love most about racing? Online my team is able to deal with my super silly personality.  Able to fit into schedule easily.  As a mom to a special needs adult, IRL racing can be limited due to round-the-clock care required for my daughter. I’m a chaser by nature, IRL and on Zwift I love trying to catch riders.

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)?   Chase race is definitely my favorite! It’s like one big TTT (which is my next favorite as I’m always trying to get everyone to work together…)

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? Iceni (2024) and Herd SHEries (2022)

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? On Zwift managing to catch the peloton on Fuego Flats.  Lots of in game messages helped that day.  (10/4/2022) IRL, competing a 1156 mile, 13 day self-supported race.  

What is your favourite food to eat post race? Anything!  I’m ravenous post racing! Snickers is normally a treat.  

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Just have fun and give it a go.  Discord with teamies can be so fun!  Amazing, supportive, and diverse teams are available that will fit each individual’s needs.

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? The Vätternrundan in Sweden June 2024 (with Rhino teamies). I had ankle surgery in August of 2023, still working my way back to ultra gravel distances as well as 70.3 distance for triathlon.