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Natural Selection Tour 2022 | Riders Confirmed

All the latest news and updates for the sophomore year of Travis Rice's Natural Selection

2022 is set to be a big year for snowboarding, with the biggest and most hotly anticipated event in the industry back on our screens in just a few short weeks. Nope, not the Olympics. At the end of January Travis Rice’s Natural Selection Tour will be kicking off once again.

After an absolute doozy of a debut last season, 24 of the world’s best riders will gather once again in Jackson Hole for the first stop of the tour (Jan 24th-31st). Battling it out head-to-head to earn a spot in Baldface, with the victors in BC heading to Alaska to vie for the overall crown.

Travis poking one out | PC: Mark Clavin, Red Bull Content Pool

So far eight men and six women have requalified from 2021, with an additional ten spots up for grabs. Here’s what we know so far, keep your eyes peeled and we’ll keep you updated as more info gets dropped.

Confirmed Riders

Mikkel Bang (PC: Red Bull Content Pool)

Mikkel Bang smoked the competition in 2021 to walk away victorious, can the towering Norseman one up his iconic rock tap to go two for two?

Women’s champion Robin Van Gyn (PC: Red Bull Content Pool)

RVG brought cool confidence to the table in Alaska to beat out young gun Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, we can expect much of the same this year as she fights to defend her crown.

Ben Ferg throwin’ up the horns | PC: Red Bull Content Pool

Your favourite riders favourite rider Ben Ferg punches his ticket to Jackson Hole once again. His fluidity, finesse in the air and deep bag of tricks rubber stamp him as one to watch wherever he’s riding, but you can rest assured he’ll pull something special out for NST.

Marion Haerty in Jackson Hole NST 2021 | PC: Tim Zimmerman, Red Bull Content Pool

She may have been bested by Zoi S-S in Jackson Hole last year, but Marion Haerty is without a doubt one of the best big mountain riders to do it. Her numerous Freeride World Tour podiums can attest to that fact, unfortunately due to COVID restrictions she wasn’t able to make it to Alaska last season, but we’re waiting with bated breath for the frenchwoman to show us her mettle this year.

Blake Paul in Jackson | PC: Leslie Hittmeier, Red Bull Content Pool

Jackson’s own prince of powder Blake Paul is back on home turf to make a run at NST 2022. His high octane riding last season made him a serious threat, and after he took down veteran Elias Elhardt with ease he was a real contender for the title.

Hana Beaman | PC: Chris Wellhausen, Red Bull Content Pool

Hana Beaman battled Jamie Anderson last year in Jackson Hole and bested the Olympic champ and walked away with both the ‘dubya and the Best Run of the Day. Can she bring her A-Game again and take the overall crown in 2022?

Travis Rice | PC: Ben Gavelda, Red Bull Content Pool

The man himself. El Capitan Travis Rice is suiting up again to try and beat the competition. On his best day Travis is untouchable, but it went right down to the wire when he squared up against Manboy Chris Rasman in Jackson a year ago.

Marion Haerty and Elena Hight | PC: Leslie Hittmeier, Red Bull Content Pool

Elena Hight showed her experience as she swiped the win from under Hailey Langland’s nose at the seminal NST in Jackson Hole. Her years of riding outside of the comp scene will sit her in good stead in such a stacked field.

Sage Kotsenburg goes HUGE | T. Bird, Red Bull Content Pool

Despite winning the first Slopestyle gold in Olympic snowboarding history, he’s never been the cookie cutter cereal box athlete. Sage Kotensburg has been slowly moving away from the bright contest lights and making a name for himself as a serious threat in the backcountry freestyle scene, his performance last year was a sight to behold.

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A post shared by L E A N N E P E L O S I ❄️ (@leannepelosi)

Leanne Pelosi won the video contest in Baldface with some seriously smooth riding. A creative rider who knows how to scout a line and stomp it, Leanne will be a big threat to anyone she goes up against this year.

Austen Sweetin | PC: Dean Blotto Gray, Red Bull Content Pool

The Froth Goblin aka Austen Sweetin quite possibly went bigger than anyone else in Jackson last year. He didn’t stomp all his tricks, but by god it was a pleasure to watch. With an extra years experience under his belt he’s going to be one to keep your eye on over the coming weeks.

Chris Rasman | PC: Chad Chomlack, Red Bull Content Pool

Givin’ ’em the old razzle dazzle we’ve got hulking Manboy Chris Rasman. He legitimately gave Travis a run for his money when they faced off in Jackson and he’s sure to be coming back leaner, meaner and extra hungry for the 2022 Tour.

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott going HAM at Jackson Hole | PC: Chris Wellhausen, Red Bull Content Pool

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott went absolutely psycho last year in Jackson Hole. Walking straight off the contest circuit wet behind the ears and wrecking every single person there to ride away the champion. The ultimate underdog story, Zoi is a force to be reckoned with, and another year older she’s the one to watch this year for sure. Due to Olympic COVID restrictions, Zoi won’t be competing in Jackson Hole, but she’s been granted a spot in Baldface by the judges already.

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A post shared by dustin craven (@dustincraven)

One of the most progressive riders over the last few years, Dustin Craven has made a name for himself with his big mountain exploits. A true man of the people, he may not be as high profile as some of the other riders, but his quiet confidence won’t go amiss in this comp.

Torstein Horgmo | PC: Marcel Laemmerhirt, Red Bull Content Pool

Now this is gonna be something to see, Torstein Horgmo is once more donning a contest bib and stepping back into the competitive scene. He’s been semi-flying under the radar with his Shredbots projects recently, but there’s no denying he’ll be a much needed shake up for anything he puts his name to.

Spencer O’Brien | Chad Chomlack, Red Bull Content Pool

After sweeping a bronze finish at Baldface in 2021, Spencer O’Brien is back for another shot at the top spot. Her slopestyle background gives her the upper hand for the freestyle portions, whilst her video projects over the last few years have given her ample preparation for painting lines in the steep and deep.

Torgeir Bergrem at Red Bull Recharged | PC: Peter Morning, Red Bull Content Pool

Sultan of style Torgeir Bergrem has been added to the NST roster for 2022. Super technical in the air with a flair for tweaked out grabs, Torgeir has been ripping in the backcountry with buddy Ståle for years and is sure to put on a show in Jackson.

Arthur Longo Boosting | PC: Sam McMahon

Holy shit, it’s happening. Action stations people, Arthur fucking Longo is heading to Jackson Hole for the first round of the Natural Selection Tour. Our thoughts and prayers go out to whichever unlucky sucker is paired up with him. Does anyone boost more than this guy?

Danny Davis tweakin’ | PC: Red Bull Content Pool

Another class act, Danny Davis gets his ticket punched for Jackson Hole. His years spent slicing up the pipe have left him in peak freestyle condition, with a smooth style, beautiful method and bulging bag of tricks to rival any rider.

Jared Elston | PC: Red Bull Content Pool

Can Jared Elston live up to his nickname? Will ‘Big Air Jare’ come to Jackson firing on all cylinders? Yeah, he’s gonna go big for sure. A certified backcountry powerhouse with explosive style and technical flair, the other riders should be scared.

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A post shared by Whitelines Snowboarding (@whitelines_snowboarding_mag)

Here we fucking GOOOO! We’d pay good money to see Kevin Backstrom take on Arthur Longo, they’re two riders who constantly make a mockery of the earth’s gravitational field. No matter who KB goes up against, he’s certainly in with a strong chance of riding away victorious.

Marie-France Roy | PC: Jussi Grznar, Red Bull Content Pool

Marie-France Roy is a bona fide threat to the women’s field. Well schooled in riding big mountain, with a bulging bag of tricks to rival anyone on the roster.

We’ll be updating this list as the rest of the riders get announced.

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