UNWIN Sophie

Classification
B3 (UCI, 07 Aug 2021)

Type of Impairment
Vision impairment (Twitter profile, 15 Jul 2021)

Guide
Jenny Holl (swisscycles.com, 12 Jun 2021; velouk.net, 02 Jun 2021)

General
RELATIONSHIP WITH PILOT
After taking up tandem in August 2020, she began riding with pilot Jenny Holl in March 2021. Holl lives in Manchester, in the north of England, whereas Unwin lives in Devon, in the south of the country, so they were only able to train together once before competing in their first race as a pair at the 2021 World Cup event in Ostend, Belgium. "Our first time riding together was in March [2021]. It was quite strange because I wasn't used to riding on the track - and wasn't used to being on a tandem either, so the first few laps were sort of learning how to ride a bike and certainly learning how to ride together. I think almost from the first time we met I totally trusted Jenny on the front of the bike, but I do think having the time to spend socially helps as well. We get on really well. The more we get to know each other, the more we know how each other communicates - which obviously helps on the bike. I think the way we communicate on the bike [is our greatest strength]. Jenny is very good at telling me the stuff I need to know without overcomplicating things, and I think I respond very well when she says things like, 'Right, we need to go now'. It's that trust in each other that we are both going to do what the other needs in the race that's important." (paralympics.org.uk, 15 Jul 2021; rouleur.cc, 21 Jun 2021)