American Kristen Kulchinsky (Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24) is one of the most decorated women. cycling esports s in the short history of the sport. He has countless elite-level victories at the top level of Zwift, the Premier Division, and a Zwift Grand Prix . She also represented the United States in all three UCI Cycling Esports World Championships
“Out there I always felt like this unicorn, something mystical or magical that I couldn’t do,” says the 42-year-old from Long Island, New York. “I started learning to ride outside, and every day, it was exciting to learn something new. Outside it felt like the video game!”
When she got outside, however, her indoor fitness transitioned impressively well…
From Spin Class to Esports
(Image credit: TLBVelo)
Kulchinsky’s cycling journey began in spin class. For years, he attended New York’s high-energy studio and music classes, until an avid cyclist friend, impressed by Kulchinsky’s fitness, recommended he take up a triathlon bike. She did, but that bike never saw the outside world and instead found its permanent residence on a smart trainer in her apartment.
When in-person meetings stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kulchinsky left town and moved to Long Island, leaving the spin classes behind. Her friend and coach, Josh Lipka, introduced her to training and running on Zwift, sparking a new passion in her.
“It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I went from being a fitness enthusiast to training and running with a purpose, which ignited this new passion in me,” shares Kulchinsky.
During the pandemic, virtual cycling platforms were among the few competitive options for elite cyclists. As a result, Kulchinsky went up against some of the best in the sport but held his own. In the summer of 2020, his prowess in line-running and prolific results caught the attention of Team Twenty20 – now Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24
Kulchinsky decided to try something for himself
(Image credit: Kristen Kulchinsky)
Despite his remarkable achievements and dominant victories, Kulchinsky found himself in a peculiar position. He had found his home and his passion in the virtual cycling community, but critics continually doubted his talent without real-world results or training data to back up his virtual performances.
The traditional cycling community often seems “Internal specialists
The skepticism is somewhat understandable. Stories of esports athletes making a successful transition from Zwift racing to real-world racing are rare but not unheard of; Jay Vine and Paige Onweller they are good examples.
And so, Kulchinsky decided to try something for herself. On September 9, 2023, after cutting out for the first time just two short months earlier, he lined up for his first race in the real world: the Greylock Hillclimb Time Trial.
Standing at 3,491′ high, Mt. Greylock is the highest peak in the state of Massachusetts. The time trial climb takes place over a nine-mile course with 2,805 feet of vertical. Kulchinsky conquered the mountain with a time of 45:32 – nearly 10 minutes faster than her nearest competitor and also an age group record for women under 45.
“The Northampton Cycling Club would like to congratulate Kristen Kulchinsky on her victory, especially considering the non-traditional route she took to the podium,” commented race director Donna Wilson.
“Kristen is an example of how there is no one way to cycle. With the evolution of technology, the NCC is eager to discover how others find their way to a bike, a race, an event, or any mode of fun and adventure on two wheels!
His outstanding performance also earned him the coveted award Strava QOM
“To go from not being able to do a U-turn or clip-in to feeling like now I’m one with the bike is fantastic,” Kulchinsky said after his unlikely victory. “There’s still so much to learn, but I’m so proud of the progress I’ve made.”
Two weeks later, Kulchinsky made the line of another mountain. This time, it was a mass start. tea Prospect Mountain Hill Climb
After cordially warning her competitors that it was her first time riding in a group, she set off, winning by almost five minutes over the leader of the climbing series, Sonya Bodick. Its 5.24 mid week for 22:52 he won another QOM
The recently crowned US National Time Trial Masters 35-39 Open Champion did 4.83 wkg and averaged 425 W to keep Kristen’s wheel and when asked, couldn’t rally more than a “That was awful!”
Race organizer and Unify Cycling founder Robert Pollaro had a lot more to say.
“When the final results were in, I was impressed that Kulchinski was fifth overall in just under 23 minutes. It wasn’t until the post-race podium ceremony that I learned that this was only his second. true street race In fact, she was off the Zwift circuit for Twenty24. His times and finishes are pretty incredible, given his lack of experience. Talk about a surprise! “
Kulchinsky went three for three on October 1, 2023 at the Allen Clark Memorial Hill Climb Green Mountain stage race .
Throughout the deep history and history of the GMSR, many amateur cyclists have ascended to professional fame on the slopes of the Appalachian Gap throughout the deep history and history of the GMSR. Kulchinsky has that QOM
Kulchinsky’s only regret is that he didn’t get a chance to test his new riding skills against one of the world’s most challenging mountains, Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.
“I enjoyed every step of the process, and when it was time for Mount Washington, I was ready and prepared. Unfortunately, that mountain had other plans, and the officials canceled the race at the line due to the force winds of the “Hurricane,” he says. .
Where now?
(Image credit: Kristen Kulchinsky)
Kulchinsky promises to return for the 51st edition of Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb next year. Meanwhile, he has his sights set on higher goals.
“I would like to become one UCI Esports World Champion one day. It would be a dream come true! “
Athletes, fans and enthusiasts of the cycling sport aspire to a future without doubt on the performances of runners like Kulchinsky, and the sport is gaining recognition as a distinct discipline. They look forward to a time when female athletes and girls can discover the love of cycling in an accessible virtual environment and use it as a stepping stone for athletic development.
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