Gusts of wind force the cancellation

The 25th edition of the Red Bull Rampage was set to be a major freeride spectacle. But the weather threw a wrench in the organizers’ plans. Of the 17 men who started, only nine were able to complete their full runs. Added to that was Finley Kirschenmann, who decided to ride his line all the way to the finish.

Increasingly strong gusts of wind with speeds exceeding 30 km/h made further runs too dangerous. The organizers therefore called off the competition in the middle of the first round. No official winner was declared.

Godziek Wows with a Spectacular Line

Until the competition was called off, Szymon Godziek in particular caused quite a stir. The Polish rider pulled off a spectacular combination of a double drop followed by a canyon gap. For this, he received the highest score of the day.

“This run was the biggest challenge of my life,” Godziek explained. He had been working on his line just the day before. He was all the more pleased with his performance, even though he would have liked to have had a second attempt.

Couderc Wins the Best Trick Award

Despite the premature end, several special awards were presented. Rampage newcomer Paul Couderc secured the Best Trick Award with a flat drop backflip. He performed the trick on the biggest drop of his line. His team also received the Compact Digger Award for building a particularly challenging steep section, which took four days to complete.

Brit Kade Edwards was honored with the Best Style Award for his distinctive riding style.

The Toughness Award went to Bienvenido Aguado Alba. The Spaniard crashed during a flatspin 360 but got back up and finished his run.

The McGazza Spirit Award, voted on by the athletes, went to Carson Storch. The American took a hard fall during his first run and underwent a medical examination. He then returned to the event grounds to support his fellow competitors.

Goomes Makes History in the Women’s Division

While the men’s competition ended without a winner, Robin Goomes had already made history two days earlier. The New Zealander became the first person ever to win the Red Bull Rampage three times in a row.

With a flatspin—a move no woman had ever performed at this event before—as well as other spectacular tricks, she prevailed over Hannah Bergemann and Kirsten Van Horne.

Thus, the anniversary edition of the Rampage ends on a bittersweet note. While Goomes continues to rewrite the history of freeride sports, the men are left with the realization that even the world’s best riders are powerless against the forces of nature.