2021 RED BULL FORMATION RECAP
All Women’s Freeride Mountain Biking Progression Session Pushes the Sport Further than Ever Before
Red Bull Formation, the first event created to advance women’s big mountain freeriding, allowing the eight top riders in the world – Hannah Bergemann, Camila Nogueira, Casey Brown, Chelsea Kimball, Jess Blewitt, Sam Soriano, Vaea Verbeeck, and Vinny Armstrong – to propel the women’s field of the sport. Dubbed a progression session, the week-long event from May 24 through June 1st saw athletes scout the mountain, sculpt their lines and shred top-to-bottom runs on one of the most challenging, yet iconic freeride venues in the world. It’s clear that the women’s field of the sport won’t ever be the same.
“This was the most spectacular women’s freeride mountain biking that we’ve seen to date,” said Katie Holden, a Red Bull Formation founding organizer. “Each athlete got out of their comfort zone when envisioning their lines and it paid off in a huge way. It just shows how hungry and talented the women in this sport are to progress.”
With support from some of the most accomplished professional action sport athletes including freeskiers Michelle Parker, Lexi Dupont and Birk Irving, as well as freeride mountain bikers Jaxson Riddle, Carson Storch and Ethan Nell, there was an added layer of mentorship and expertise to the process.
“I’m just blown away by how far the ladies have improved in such a short time span,” says Michelle Parker, who provided invaluable advice and support to the athletes this week. Part of her role included one-on-one time with each athlete to tackle the fear of riding such rugged terrain. “The stuff we built this week is way bigger than the first year, it’s incredible to see the progression. I’m honored to be part of this and see the women level up together.”
The event consisted of three dig days, where the riders carved out their ideal line on the mountain; one rest day, where they found community in each other and the industry mentors; and three ride days, where the mountain was host to the some of the gnarliest women’s freeriding seen to date. Each ride day the athletes chipped away at pieces of their lines, hoping to bring it all together in a top-to-bottom run on the final day.
In addition, one athlete walked away with a new accolade: the Evolution in Action Award, presented by event sponsor Arc’teryx. While the event at its core is about collaboration rather than competition, athletes had the opportunity to vote on the participant that best represents the values of Red Bull Formation.
Walking away with the award and a stipend was Hannah Bergmann. Her fellow participants cited her ability to set the tone for the event and be a mentor to the younger riders as reasons for why she deserved it.
“The thing I’m most proud of is to ride in a way that inspires confidence in everyone else,” said Bergmann upon accepting the award.
Capping off a successful camp, Holden remarked, “Everything that we do in this moment at Red Bull Formation matters for those that come behind us. This is a space for us to come together to progress and push the sport forward.”
A YouTube series and Red Bull TV documentary on Red Bull Formation will be airing late summer. For more info follow @RedBullBike to receive updates. To learn more about Red Bull Formation 2021 athletes and read additional recaps from the event, please visit the event website here.
To watch additional highlights and stay updated on all Red Bull Formation content-including the YouTube series and Red Bull TV documentary on the event which air late summer-follow @RedBullBike.
CATCHING UP WITH THE ATHLETES
The stoke is high for more than just the eight women freeriders who wrapped an insane week riding the desert cliffs of Virgin, Utah. Now in its second year, the Red Bull Formation isn’t exactly a competition, though we can’t imagine all these competitive athletes don’t have at least a little bit of self-induced pressure to take their riding up a notch. Instead, Katie Holden, a founding organizer of the event, along with others wanted to create a friendly, open and progressive environment that would let some of the top female riders in the world inspire the rest of us, no matter our chromosomes, because, let’s be honest, these She Shredders are definitely sending it bigger and farther than most of the male riders we know. Their determination, light-hearted spirit, big smiles and victories inspire all of us to push a bit harder, step outside our comfort zone and encourage our fellow riders to do the same.
After this year’s camp, we were lucky enough to get a chance to ask some of the riders about the event. We wanted to know what it meant on a deeper level for these riders to take on such hallowed ground, push the limits and show themselves and the world what they were capable of. According to our friends over at Red Bull, this year’s “Progression Session” went off, with riders building larger features, and riding harder than ever. The growth of women’s freeride is upon us, it’s amazing to see what they’re throwing down and we can’t wait to see how this event will ripple out into the world, hopefully inspiring more riders to chase their passion.
Let’s hear it from a few of the ladies of freeride down below.
VAEA VERBEECK
@vaeaverbeeck
WHAT DOES THIS EVENT AND THE TERRAIN YOU RIDE MEAN FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Vaea Verbeeck: Riding Rampage style lines in Virgin Utah is just another big accomplishment of mine. I love learning and pushing my riding and this is just one other big highlight for my riding career.
MANY OF YOU HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES FROM MORE “TRADITIONAL” AND ESTABLISHED COMPETITIVE EVENTS, WHETHER SCORED OR TIMED. WHERE DOES THE OVERALL FEELING OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT COMING OUT OF RED BULL FORMATION FALL IN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL OF MTB LIFE?
VV: Being a part of Formation and pushing this style of riding is on a complete different spectrum from the rest of my resume. It is a testament of a completely different riding ability of mine. I would say that it takes the cherry on top of my highlight reel, simply because it not only pushed me and my riding, but it also served as a marker in the history of our sport which is so special to me.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE RED BULL FORMATION GO IN THE FUTURE?
VV: I would love to see Formation remain an anchor for women in MTB to gather and grow together in this non-competitive environment. I think that we are so fortunate to have this format in our hands and it can only encourage new events and more women categories to come to life and allow us to compete just like the men.
WHAT WERE YOUR IMPRESSIONS THE FIRST TIME YOU ROLLED UP TO THESE RED UTAH HILLS?
VV: There was so much unknown the very first time we can to Utah in 2019’s Formation. We had spent a day riding the OG “bike park” site and then sent to a more recent Rampage site to create a top to bottom line. Have so little experience playing in that dirt made it seem all so intimidating. 2021 was on another level! Rather than holding back because of the terrain, we were able to go for it and use it to maximize our learning experience and go big.
WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED FEARS, THOUGHTS OR OTHER THINGS YOU HADN’T CONSIDERED UNTIL YOU PUT THE TIRES TO DIRT?
VV: I think that we each can process fear and knowledge for the riding challenges ahead of us, but when it comes to watching a peer sending something big, it is scary. You do not know how prepared everyone else feels in that moment and you can only hope that they make it down safely. I am so so grateful that everyone walked away achieved and safe!
CASEY BROWN
@casey__brown__
WHAT DOES THIS EVENT AND THE TERRAIN YOU RIDE MEAN FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Casey Brown: For me, the terrain is where I was first inspired by freeride, back when I camped out at the OG site and saw Rampage in 2008. I believe Formation is essential for the progression of women’s freeride, it will only foster more events like this and before you know it this side of the sport will be thriving in a way we’ve never seen before.
MANY OF YOU HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES FROM MORE “TRADITIONAL” AND ESTABLISHED COMPETITIVE EVENTS, WHETHER SCORED OR TIMED. WHERE DOES THE OVERALL FEELING OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT COMING OUT OF RED BULL FORMATION FALL IN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL OF MTB LIFE?
CB: Formation feels like I have finally made it to where I belong, after a looong journey around the many disciplines of mountain biking and it never filling my cup, this event makes everything I have done worth it.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE RED BULL FORMATION GO IN THE FUTURE?
CB: I can only see it growing and getting better, I cannot see it being a contest like Rampage because that is not what it is about for us.
YOU ARE KNOWN TO SEND IT JUST AS BIG AND STEEZY AS THE BOYS, WHICH IS WHO WE USUALLY SEE YOU RIDING WITH IN VIDEOS. WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING SURROUNDED BY OTHER FEMALE RIDERS ALL PUSHING THE ENVELOPE AND RIDING HARD?
CB: I loved who I was surrounded by at Formation, we worked so well together and made everyday fun and exciting, these riders know how to send and do it in a calculated way, I was so inspired by them.
SAMANTHA SORIANO
@samanthasorian0
WHAT DOES THIS EVENT AND THE TERRAIN YOU RIDE MEAN FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Sam Soriano: Formation to me marks the beginning of something new. I have been competing ever since I started riding a bike and most times, I was fighting this internal battle of whether I was really racing for myself or someone or something else. Switching primarily to freeride and being selected for Formation felt –in the least cliché way possible– freeing. There are no boundaries in freeride and Formation highlights this immensely to help us all work together for progression. The terrain leaves many doors open for opportunities to challenge, which we all as riders can play into our strengths and weaknesses.
MANY OF YOU HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES FROM MORE “TRADITIONAL” AND ESTABLISHED COMPETITIVE EVENTS, WHETHER SCORED OR TIMED. WHERE DOES THE OVERALL FEELING OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT COMING OUT OF RED BULL FORMATION FALL IN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL OF MTB LIFE?
SS: I truly believe that Formation is one of my top three proudest accomplishments. With competitive events, a result that you are extremely proud of can get overlooked by a poor result to follow and those accomplishments feel almost tarnished because of the lack of consistency in performance. With Formation not being formatted as a competition, I felt as there was no pressure to ride up to a certain standard. All the girls took home little wins this week that will continue to elevate our riding and progression in Freeride, which is something that I felt like traditional competitions fall short on.
WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK?
SS: I think it was at the end of the week and looking up at what all the girls built and rode. Even though I have spent a good chunk of time in the desert this winter, seeing the terrain I was able to ride felt extremely rewarding. I also think how supportive all the girls were of each other was another best moment. As females in sports, we are almost taught to be pitted against each other which was so fulfilling to break that stigma.
HANNAH BERGEMANN
@hannahbergemann
WHAT DOES THIS EVENT AND THE TERRAIN YOU RIDE MEAN FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Hannah Bergemann: To me, Formation and riding that terrain means an opportunity to get creative in building and choosing lines and features to ride. An opportunity to collaborate and work with other amazing female freeride athletes and progress the sport of women’s freeride!
MANY OF YOU HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES FROM MORE “TRADITIONAL” AND ESTABLISHED COMPETITIVE EVENTS, WHETHER SCORED OR TIMED. WHERE DOES THE OVERALL FEELING OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT COMING OUT OF RED BULL FORMATION FALL IN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL OF MTB LIFE?
HB: Coming out of Red Bull Formation falls highly in my personal highlight reel and in my accomplishments of my MTB career despite it being noncompetitive. It feels like at this event I am better able to showcase my skills and the type of riding that I love and am passionate about.
WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK?
HB: There were so many incredible moments during the week, it is tough to pick a single best. The final ride day was probably my favorite – riding my own and then watching everyone else crush their lines, the relief of the event wrapping up successfully and safely and receiving the “evolution in action” award voted on by the other riders.
CHELSEA KIMBALL
@chelseasendsit
WHAT DOES THIS EVENT AND THE TERRAIN YOU RIDE MEAN FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Chelsea Kimball: I fell in love with the terrain in Virgin Utah the first time I rode here in 2017. I’m pretty lucky to have a group of ladies here in southern Utah that love freeride just as much as I do. While we are lucky enough to call this place home it can be difficult to get a lot of exposure as an athlete other than through personal social media. This event has been a great opportunity for me and other women that don’t live near to come here and get a lot of exposure and media (Thanks Katie!) Aside from media, this event has been a pretty awesome way to progress together and showcase our skills.
MANY OF YOU HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES FROM MORE “TRADITIONAL” AND ESTABLISHED COMPETITIVE EVENTS, WHETHER SCORED OR TIMED. WHERE DOES THE OVERALL FEELING OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT COMING OUT OF RED BULL FORMATION FALL IN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL OF MTB LIFE?
CK: I have done a lot of racing in the United States whether it’s downhill or Enduro but I have very little experience competing at an international level like many of the women at Formation have. I feel pretty lucky to be invited to this event and share space with these ladies that have been racing and competing for such a long time. For about 4 years I’ve committed myself to pursuing mountain biking professionally with a motto of, “Lets see where this takes me.” I definitely feel a small sense of accomplishment being included with these amazing women. I aim to keep pushing myself in mountain biking. Freeride is my favorite but I absolutely love all aspects of mountain biking from Enduro racing to meeting new friends along the trail in the middle of nowhere. Life is an adventure, have fun with it!
WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK?
CK: I have a lot of great moments of the week, hitting my drop for the first time then finally going for the canyon gap felt so good. I have to say my favorite moment of the whole week was seeing Cami in one piece after a fall that could have done some major damage. She was definitely battered and bruised but I was so happy and thankful to see my friend again!
VINNY ARMSTRONG
@vinnysarmstrong
WHAT DOES THIS EVENT AND THE TERRAIN YOU RIDE MEAN FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Vinny Armstrong: This event is a huge accomplishment for me as it’s such a huge progression for the sport and for women. Getting to use the old rampage venues and revamp some of the features is so insane and such a good feeling to be able to ride there.
MANY OF YOU HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES FROM MORE “TRADITIONAL” AND ESTABLISHED COMPETITIVE EVENTS, WHETHER SCORED OR TIMED. WHERE DOES THE OVERALL FEELING OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT COMING OUT OF RED BULL FORMATION FALL IN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL OF MTB LIFE?
VA: This event falls pretty high for me because as a woman aspiring to make freeride her career, this event shows that there are people and companies that are willing to support this style of riding.
WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK?
VA: The best moment of the week for me was when everyone had stomped a top to bottom run and we all shared that same feeling of accomplishment and cheered each other on.
WHAT WAS ONE THING THAT REALLY SURPRISED YOU, OR YOU DIDN’T EXPECT DURING THE FORMATION EVENT?
VA: I didn’t expect everyone to have that much progression. Everyone built something big and gnarly and stomped it I’m so stoked for all the girls.
