Women's Zwift Academy...the mothership

Launching last week, the 2018 Zwift Academy (ZA) program has grown both in size and appeal since the inaugural program rolled out in 2016. With the men’s version now in its second year, and the women in its third, ZA is a huge success by any numeric metric.

But I’d like to focus on the women’s program since the 2016 Zwift Academy was exclusively a women’s academy. That year there were 1100 participants from all over the world. These women (myself included) were part of new “thing” that was both a training program and a talent identification program, while being a unique marketing opportunity for Zwift. ZA was unproven, largely unknown and felt like an experiment. The notion that you had a 1/1100 chance to “go pro” was not only exciting to everyone involved, but seemed equally preposterous to anyone on the “outside” of it (including the majority of my friends not using Zwift). And, making things even more insane, since only 118 women graduated in this first year, the mathematical “chance” to win it (strength/skill aside) was flat out batshit crazy.

It’s hard to describe the magic of 2016. Almost everyone was learning about the platform, learning how to use the workouts, how salvage workout files amidst a computer crash, how to stay with the beacon, and how to overcome feeling low when you go dropped on group ride. And because its software (and techie), there were some bumpy patches. But the women in the program, and the Zwift Academy team (lead by Kate V) did what women do best; collaborate and solve problems. And though Zwift created a new training program using the platform to set the stage— the success of the program wasn’t crafted, built or created. It was birthed. It has the collective DNA of some pioneering women discovering their own strengths, acknowledging challenges, and lifting each other up. There is no blueprint for this, no easy process to replicate. Though the men now have their own program, I’m sure it takes on a different complexion than the women’s. I also know they will never fully grasp what it is they are missing. Without a doubt, the Women’s Zwift Academy (known as Canyon//Sram Racing Zwift Academy) is the true mothership of the entire program and it is what crowns the Zwift brand with the floating yellow beacon.

In part, this is what can explain the growth of the women’s program. In 2017, 1100 participants doubled to 2158, and graduates saw a five-fold increase (to 552 women). The growth may also be attributed to the program becoming more accessible. The 2016 program was three months in duration, was 27 workouts (plus group rides) and took place during the warm summer months (for those is the northern hemisphere). It was a demanding of time, energy and commitment. The 118 women who graduated (myself included), earned a ZA Jersey. It is worn with immense pride because it represents something super rare and special.

The collective suffering sustained us and bonded us, and the jersey is a warm reminder of that bond. The return rate for 2017 was astonishing (more than half of 2016 participants signed up for 2017). And today 552 Women proudly display the 2017 ZA Jersey.

Bringing it forward, 2018 the number of women participants sits at 4180 (and there is still 1 week left to sign up). I have to admit it feels a little different. It feels more established and settled, with perhaps a little less of that shiny “newness”. But with every post that asks about “stars," or erg mode, lost workouts, or expressing concern about getting dropped on a ride, I see a familiar name jump in almost immediately with help and support (often veterans from previous years, including the 2016 winner Leah Zoey Thorvilson). I see the magic in the shared experiences of the group rides and now group workouts (a feature not new to Zwift, but new to ZA). I see compassion and empathy for those who are injured. I see encouragement when there are struggles and I see celebration kudos for those who have achieved more than they thought possible. The magic is there.

Regardless of why we signed up, and what our life is like outside of the sport, we are all women cyclists. And the power of the program is helping women step out of their comfort zone, build their confidence and lean on each other when we need it. And we've all formed some of the best friendships because of it. Thank you Zwift and Canyon//Sram.