In the rugged landscape of Virgin, Utah, the world's top female freeriders etched their mark on history at the inaugural Red Bull Rampage women's competition. Seven athletes, renowned for their audacity and finesse, plunged into the heart of this prestigious mountain biking challenge for the first time, forging a new chapter in the sport's evolution.
"Three, two, one, dropping." This is the electrifying countdown that signifies the onset of every Red Bull Rampage. For the first time, the iconic start gate opened for the world's best female freeriders, immersing them into the thrilling vortex of the sport's most esteemed competition.
Robin Goomes, Georgia Astle, and Casey Brown claimed the podium at this landmark event, embodying the spirit of Red Bull Rampage's continuous evolution. For the first time since 2018, the women's competition was granted a fresh canvas - a new course positioned alongside the men's, equally imposing in its height and steepness.
Robin Goomes emerged victorious, her name now indelibly inscribed in the annals of freeride mountain biking history. Her triumphant performance was marked by her signature backflip and daring path, with Georgia Astle and Casey Brown joining her on the podium in second and third place, respectively.
Goomes, a seasoned professional with seven years of riding under her belt, is no stranger to making history. Among her many feats, she is the first woman to land a backflip at a Speed and Style Crankworx event and the first female Crankworx slopestyle champion. With this win, she adds yet another accolade to her impressive resume: the inaugural female Red Bull Rampage champion.
Throughout the competition, Goomes rode with a strategy inspired by the early days of Red Bull Rampage, where the terrain was raw and full of drops. This vision came to life in her features, including a raw top chute comprising rock shelves and a marquee drop measuring 41 feet diagonally. She earned an impressive 85 points, setting a high bar for her competitors.
Canadian rider Georgia Astle, who claimed second place, demonstrated precision and confidence throughout her run, earning a respectable score of 79 points. Rounding out the podium was Casey Brown, the godmother of freeride, with a score of 77.33. Brown also won the McGazza Spirit Award for her tenacity and contributions to the women's freeride movement.
The event was not without its moments of awe and surprise. Vaea Verbeeck won the Samsung Galaxy Trailblazer Award for her innovative line, and Cami Nogueria of Argentina won the BFGoodrich Tires Toughness Award for attempting a bold 51-foot drop in practice.