Redbull Hardline-History for Women

Words by Beka:

Red Bull Hardline, now in its tenth year, is a wild DH-freeride-insanity race competition founded by the Athertons, a sibling trio (Rachel, Gee, and Dan) of notorious mountain bike riders. Historically, Hardline has been held in Wales, UK, and 2022 marked the first year a woman was included in the invite-only competition event. 

UK-based Tahnee Seagrave was originally slated to be that rider, but due to injury, New Zealander Jess Blewitt took her place. Unfortunately, Jess broke her collarbone in a practice run and was unable to compete in the finals. For Hardline 2023, Tahnee Seagrave and Jess Blewitt were back as part of a six-woman crew (including Hannah Bergemann, Louise-Anna Ferguson, Vinny Armstrong, and Cami Nogueira) invited to participate in riding the course as part of a “progression camp,” but would not ride in the actual competition. However, before the final race run took place, Hardline 2023 was canceled due to high winds and poor weather.

2024 brought about a massive change for Hardline – the event would now be held in two locations: Tasmania, Australia in February, and Wales, UK in June; and six women were included in the event to compete: Hannah Bergemann (USA), Cami Nogueira (ESP), Tahnee Seagrave (UK), Louise-Anna Ferguson (UK), Harriet Burbidge-Smith (NZ), and 19-year-old Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) who attended as a stand-in for Casey Brown (CAN) who is out with an injury. Gracey and Harriet will only be participating in the Tasmania event, while the other four women are tentatively slated to compete at Hardline Wales in June. At this time, it’s unknown if additional women will be invited to Hardline Wales.

Tasmania Course:

Tasmania provided a completely different type of course – but it was still absolutely wild. With a mix of huge 60 ft drops, massive 70 ft sends, and fast-running murderous technical terrain – at times, hitting these features at over 45 mph – it was a mix of both natural and manmade features. It was wild watching how all riders handled the course since it’s brand new to everyone – unlike in Wales, where the course and terrain remain similar year to year. The women were killing it in the practice runs, sessioning segments of the course alongside their fellow male and female competitors. Watching the practice runs alone, one thing is crystal clear: women belong at the event. It felt natural for them to be there. 

There was no women ’s-specific category at Hardline, but it didn’t matter: Gracey Hemstreet qualified for finals and became the first woman in history to complete, and clear, an entire Hardline race course. Louise-Anna Ferguson also qualified and became the second woman to also complete the race, despite two major crashes during her run. It was a sight to behold and continues to illustrate why women riders deserve a place at these global competitions. They belong, even without a woman’s-only category.

We can’t wait to see what else 2024 holds for women’s freeride. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll include women at Red Bull Rampage. We know for sure that the riders have earned it.

To watch full replays of Red Bull Hardline Tasmania, check out the Red Bull Bike YouTube page, or Red Bull TV.