Snowboarding
NST Revelstoke line-up unveiled: These riders are in!
Six snowboarders conquered the Natural Selection DUELS and are headed to Revelstoke to face top riders, wildcards, and two special selections. Who made the cut? Read on to find out.
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This March, the world’s best all-mountain snowboarders are heading to Revelstoke for two days of high-stakes, live competition – where only the boldest will stay in the running for the Natural Selection Tour title.
With Mother Nature setting the stage between March 10-17, every turn, drop, and line choice could make or break a rider’s shot at glory. Now, six athletes have battled through the intense Natural Selection Duels to claim their place alongside pre-qualified contenders. Here’s who earned their ticket to Revelstoke.
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The 6 Natural Selection Tour Duels winners who have punched their ticket to Revelstoke
Ståle Sandbech in action during the Burton European Open
© Marcel Laemmerhirt/Burton/Red Bull Content Pool
Six riders have emerged victorious from the Natural Selection Tour Snowboard Duels and will be heading to the big show in Revelstoke. These six athletes have secured their spots after competing at standout natural and naturally-enhanced venues worldwide.
- Ståle Sandbech (Switzerland, Duel winner)
- Madison Blackley (Colorado, USA, Duel winner)
- Brin Alexander (Canada, Duel winner)
- Severin van der Meer (California, USA, Duel winner)
- Blake Moller (Idoho, USA, Duel winner)
- Aya Sato (Japan, Duel winner)
Check out more about this years NST
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Research & Development: An exciting new addition to NST
Madison Blackley showing them how it's done at Kings and Queens of Corbet's
© Brett Wilhelm/Red Bull Content Pool
For the first time in Natural Selection Tour history, two riders from the Research & Development (RND) event will compete in Revelstoke. This all-women’s backcountry freestyle competition showcases 12 rising stars in all-mountain snowboarding. Ellery Manning (2024 winner) and Šárka Pančochová (2025 winner) have earned their spots, filling two of the eight women’s slots in Revelstoke. Pančochová also faced off against Sato in this winter’s Duel in Japan.
At just 18 years old, Ellery Manning is about to step onto one of snowboarding’s biggest stages. Her win at RND 2024 in Revelstoke earned her an invite to the Natural Selection Tour, a moment that still feels unreal.
Being invited to NST almost felt surreal and made me realize that I can make snowboarding a real-life goal.
“Being invited to NST almost felt surreal and made me realize that I can make snowboarding a real-life goal,” Manning shares. “When I won the invite, it felt so far away that I didn’t fully process that I would be going to NST. Now that we are creeping up on the event, it’s beginning to feel more real and the nerves are starting to kick in.”
As the countdown to Revelstoke continues, Manning is eager to experience the competition firsthand. “NST is unique because it’s an event where freeride and freestyle are mixed, which I think is the sickest thing ever. The format allows riders to be incredibly creative. I’m looking forward to seeing the riders’ competitive processes and the Revy terrain in person.”
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Pre-Qualified riders: The best of 2024 return to Revelstoke
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Highlights from Natural Selection Tour
24 riders battled it out during a heart-pounding snowboarding event at Revelstoke Mountain Resort in BC.
Some of the biggest names in snowboarding are heading back to Revelstoke, securing their spots thanks to strong performances at last year’s Natural Selection Tour. Riders who finished in the top half on day one in 2024 and advanced to the final round earned automatic invites to compete again in 2025.
Pre-qualified riders for 2025:
- Torgeir Bergrem (NOR)
- Mikey Ciccarelli (CAN)
- Jared Elston (USA)
- Marion Haerty (FRA)
- Sage Kotsenburg (USA)
- Nils Mindnich (USA)
- Mary Rand (USA)
- Travis Rice (USA)
- Austen Sweetin (USA)
However, not all pre-qualified athletes will be returning this season. Hailey Langland (USA) is sidelined due to injury, Jamie Anderson (USA) is taking time off as she expects her second child, and Torstein Horgmo (NOR) is stepping back after a massive year focused on his 2024 film, Return.
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Wildcard entries: Fresh faces and big names join the action
Bjorn Leines breaks new ground in Revelstoke
© Scott Serfas/Red Bull Content Pool
Completing the roster of riders heading to Revelstoke are the wildcard athletes, who earned their spots through impressive performances in past Natural Selection Tour seasons or standout rides during this year’s Duels. These riders add an exciting mix to the competition, bringing both experience and fresh energy to the event.
The wildcard entries include:
- Elena Hight – 2022 NST Champion
- Mikkel Bang – 2021 NST Champion
- Spencer O’Brien
- Brandon Davis – Notable for standout riding in his 2025 DUEL with van der Meer
- Dustin Craven
- Men’s mystery wildcard – to be announced on @naturalselectionsnow later this week
With these riders rounding out the field, the competition in Revelstoke just got even more intense!
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