Waves of change
Sometimes in the waves of change, we find our true direction
The 4F Racing Team Squadra for the 2021 Tour of Margaret River. Photograph by Damien Wyer
Words by Deb Kempe, Suzanne McGill, Vanessa Johnson. Photo by Damien Wyer
It’s only when you’ve done something you thought you couldn’t, that you realise how much more you can.
Over the hill? There’s no hill too high (don’t mention Kandalee) for this group of femmes who have come together to form the ground-breaking Tour of Margaret River 300+ 4F Racing Team.
There is a wave of change sweeping through women’s sport - think of the progress being made in professional team sports such as cricket, soccer, and football. We can only hope that the rising tide lifts the profile, participation and rewards for women in other sports too. 4Five+ founders and members are part of this wave: breaking down mental roadblocks and changing public perceptions about ‘older’ female athletes who continue competing.
As ‘older’ women ourselves, we recognised a need to inspire, support and guide other female athletes and challenge the expectations around high performance and ageing in a racing environment [Deb Kempe]
Age certainly hasn’t stood in the way of the Collective’s founders - successful cyclists and triathletes - whose sporting performances have challenged notions of use-by dates. Nor has age wearied the enthusiasm of the 4F Racing Team’s mentor and ToMR Director Sportif - Olympian and former Tour de France rider Bob Addy.
Spearheaded by such highly competitive athletes, what’s immediately striking about 4Five+ is its uniquely female attributes: acknowledging challenges, openly sharing knowledge, providing encouragement, mentorship, inclusiveness, community and comradery.
So far, the focus has been on providing opportunities to experience a range of cycling disciplines like MTB, CX, road racing, crits, time-trialling. The upcoming Tour of Margaret River is the first time the group will come together as a team, with members challenging themselves individually and together, inspiring other women (and possibly a male or two) to pursue an active and if chosen, competitive life. The group hopes to broaden its reach to other sports next year, further breaking down stereotypes around high performance and ageing.
This image captures us as we are, and as we aspire to be: brave, strong, supportive.
“To airbrush age off a woman’s face is to erase her identity, power and history”
About the photo:
Photographer: Damien Wyer, Picarda
Tech : Canon 5DS 1/160th f5.6 ISO 100 35mm shot using a Godox V860 with Magmod diffuser, two 600W Jinbei strobes with strip diffusers on monopods
Artistic intent: Picarda is Fremantle based, so naturally I thought something with the ocean would be good showing the girls as a dynamic force of nature
Location: Bathers Beach, Fremantle WA (water temperature 18.6degC)
Kit: Escape.cc
Squadra L to R Jodi Earnshaw, Deb Kempe, Anji Coleman, Vanessa Johnson, Sarah Hunter, Alison Ramm, Kate Godde, (Alison Dyson)
Collective Age: 300+
Mood: Joyful & determined
