Top Freeride Women Set to Make History at Proving Grounds 2021

by 0

Proving Grounds is coming up fast, and with it an incredibly talented bunch of riders, including women for the first time. The Proving Grounds course has been overhauled for 2021 and there are just days to go before it all begins. In 2019, Casey Brown was the first woman to compete alongside the men, this time women have their own category at the contest.

Ahead of the event, Cam McCaul catches up with Casey Brown to talk about her ride in 2019 and the future of women’s freeride.

I’m so stoked it’s a full category; that’s exactly what I was hoping for – we need to build this side of the sport, how do we do that – you just need to put yourself out there and take some risks, and hopefully it pays off, in this case, it totally has.

Casey Brown
Casey Brown Proving Grounds

Here’s what the organisers have to say about the upcoming event:

Proving Grounds 2021

Proving Grounds is just over a week away from taking the stage at the Oregon Dirt Park and making freeride history. The course will feature a major rehaul of the 2019 layout with new wood and dirt features designed and built by Kyle Jameson and Cam McCaul and the best freeride men and women in the world will be out showing their full potential on this challenging course.

Casey Brown made history in 2019 as the first woman to compete in Proving Grounds right alongside the men; in 2021, she is certainly not alone. The women will compete in their own category alongside the men with an equal share of the $21k prize purse. Casey hopes that by creating space, visibility, and opportunities, it will fuel the future of women’s freeride, “there are so many young girls coming up, if we give them the tools that they need it will grow the sport so much on that side; that’s what we are trying to do, just hype it up.” Fresh off her self-created Darkhorse progression session, Casey is looking forward to competing alongside (and maybe being beaten by!) the women she has inspired along the way.

Schedule:

Friday 9/10

  • Athlete practice – Proving Grounds Course
  • 4 to 6 pm – Jump Jam – best trick – men and women

Saturday 9/11

  • 9 AM – Doors Open
    • Athlete Practice
  • 10 AM – Run 1
    • Run 1 – women
    • Run 1 – men
  • • 1 PM – Run 2
    • Run 2 – women
    • Run 2 – men
  • 4 PM – Awards
Proving Grounds

Riders:

Women:

  • Casey Brown
  • Hannah Bergman
  • Sam Soriano
  • Cami Nogueira
  • Harriet Burbidge-Smith
  • Ming Goetz
  • Gracey Hemstreet
  • Brooke Anderson

Men:

  • Carson Storch
  • Ethan Nell
  • Cam Zink
  • Kyle Strait
  • Johny Salido
  • Adolf Silva
  • Jaxson Riddle
  • Louis Reboul
  • Brendan Howey
  • Nicholi Rogatkin
  • Redd Boggs
  • Bienve Aquado Alba
  • DJ Brandt
  • Alex Volokhov
  • Clemens Kaudela
  • Damon Iwanaga
  • Dylan Stark
  • Paul Genovese

For more, head to the Proving Grounds website.


Proving Grounds Sets New Course For Freeride

Top Female Freeriders Join Audi Nines MTB for 2021

Women’s Progression Session: Highlights from Red Bull Formation


Singletrack Merch

Singletrack TODAY Organic Unisex T-Shirt

NOW ORGANIC! 🙂

Singletrack Sponsored Features

Simply better than laces: 12 BOA® off-road cycling shoes

The BOA system has been a replacement technology for laces since the mid 90's but how was it invented and by whom?

Atlas Ride Co

The Mountain Bike Holiday Company. #ONEPEDALAHEAD since 2012Enduro and Downhill Mountain Bike Holidays how they should be! Established in 2012 and operating across some of the best riding destinations in…


Join our mailing list to receive Singletrack editorial wisdom directly in your inbox.

Each newsletter is headed up by an exclusive editorial from our team and includes stories and news you don’t want to miss.

Signing up to our mailing list is not only a great way to keep up-to-date on all things Singletrack but it is also a great, free way to support us.

Sign up to receive awesome editorial content from Hannah every week.

We appreciate how handing over your email address is a mark of your trust in us. Check your inbox for our confirmation email and click the link to activate your newsletter.
We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check out a previous newsletter here


Discover more from Singletrack World Magazine

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Not too good about writing about myself, but not so bad at writing about other things. There was a time that I hated bikes, but then they became my life. Wouldn't be the person I am if I hadn't been on this journey. Here's to bikes, drinking tea and everything that comes with life on two wheels. I'm Lauren, I like bikes and writing about them. Always trying my best and up for adventures.

More posts from Lauren

New Podcast Episode #5

Benji's perfect jacket is bonkers cheap!