The FMBA’s Pathway to the Top: Red Bull Rookie of the Year and Gold Cup Winners Crowned
September 4, 2024As the 2024 FMB World Tour season is still in full swing, the Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) proudly announces the winners of the 2024 FMBA Red Bull Rookie of the Year awards: Lisa-Marie Blanc and Kaidan Ingersoll. These two rising stars have secured their place in the history books and earned a coveted entry to the first Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) event next year. Meanwhile, Griffin Paulson claimed the first-ever Gold Cup title, earning him prequalification for all SWC events next year.
2024 FMBA Red Bull Rookie of the Year Award
The future of Slopestyle Mountain Biking is in capable hands with Lisa-Marie Blanc and Kaidan Ingersoll taking home the prestigious FMBA Red Bull Rookie of the Year awards early, with still a few events to go. At just 19 years old, these prodigies have proven they can compete with the best in the world.
Lisa-Marie Blanc, hailing from France, delivered an impressive season in just her second year on the FMB World Tour. Competing in two Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship events, she collected points and valuable experience on some of the biggest Slopestyle courses on the planet. She further showcased her prowess participating in multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Events worldwide.
American Kaidan Ingersoll, despite his young age, is already a seasoned competitor within the FMBA framework. His focus on Gold Level events paid off, with podium finishes in two out of three events, leading to his recognition as the male FMBA Red Bull Rookie of the Year 2024.
Both winners not only receive the prestigious title but also a wildcard entry to the first Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event of 2025, set to take place at Crankworx Rotorua in March. Their prize package includes flights, accommodation, spending money, a custom-made trophy, and their 2025 World Tour License.
The Inaugural Gold Cup – a New Avenue to the Top
It’s no secret that the 2024 FMB World Tour Season has been one for the history books. Alongside the groundbreaking inclusion of women in the Slopestyle World Championship, the FMBA introduced the Gold Cup. Canadian Griffin Paulson grabbed the title, securing prequalification for all 2025 SWC events.
The Gold Cup kicked off in Germany at the iXS Dirt Masters in May, where Paulson earned a silver medal, before moving to Canada for the final two events. With a star-studded lineup of top-level and emerging Slopestyle athletes, the events offered local talent and fans a chance to engage with the sport’s elite, in addition to witnessing awe-inspiring Slopestyle competitions. Griffin Paulson’s performance at the Big White Invitational hosted by Tom Van Steenbergen, where he claimed his second silver medal, solidified his Gold Cup victory, edging out newly crowned FMBA Red Bull Rookie of the Year, Kaidan Ingersoll, by 18 points.
“I’m absolutely fired up! We got a couple new young guns on tour, including Kaidan Ingersoll. Chance Moore will be back, but man, I’m just so stoked”, Paulson states right after winning the Gold Cup at the Big White Invitational hosted by Tom Van Steenbergen. “Such a great year! I’ve been finding ways to pull runs, and that one [today] was definitely a heinous banger full-out run. So, yeah, really stoked to finish the year off strong, and looking forward to the next!”
Once the calendar for next year is set, athletes ranked second, third and fourth will be able to redeem their “Golden Ticket” for an entry to one SWC event of the next season. These esteemed tickets cannot be passed on to other athletes unless a rider is already officially prequalified by finishing in the top 5 of the 2024 Slopestyle World Championship.
2024 Gold Cup Results
- Griffin PAULSON (CAN) – 1707pts
- Kaidan INGERSOLL (USA) – 1689pts
- Nicholi ROGATKIN (USA) – 1500pts
- Alex ALANKO (SWE) – 1152pts
The Gold Cup was established to create an equal pathway for male and female athletes to reach the pinnacle of the spot, while also promoting Gold Level events across continents. Athletes are ranked based on their top three Gold Event results of the season. Due to only one Women’s Gold Event taking place in 2024, no female Gold Cup winner was crowned this year. The FMBA is committed to working closely with event organisers and hopes for more opportunities for both male and female athletes in 2025.