2025 Year in Review — Wild Sport Management

2025 was a year of momentum. A year where our athletes pushed their craft, our partnerships deepened, and the industry continued to shift toward more human, story-driven expressions of sport. As freeride and mountain bike culture continues to evolve, so does our role as managers, producers, strategists, and long-term career partners.

This year, Wild Sport Management leaned hard into what we believe in most, supporting athletes as whole humans, not just riders, racers, or content machines behind the scenes, and in real life at events around the world.

*Jordy Scott and Tegan Cruz at Crankworx Whistler*

Our athlete roster brought their own unique trajectory, whether through global competition results, film projects, podcasts, standout social moments, broadcast hosting, brand breakthroughs, or community impact. Across podiums, edits, global events, new partners and renewed contracts, we saw enormous growth in the way each athlete shows up both online and on the ground. The common thread across the year was clear: authentic craft paired with a game plan + flexibility, wins every time.

Key Learnings of 2025

One of our biggest learnings this year was the importance of athlete-first conversations. The partnerships that thrived were those where the athlete was brought in early, shaping creative direction, deliverables and tone from the start. When an athlete's perspective leads, the relationship is more engaged, the work becomes sharper, more authentic and ultimately more effective for both audience and brand.

Alongside that, we doubled down on professional backing and support systems: negotiation literacy, content planning, accountability structures, and career thinking that gives athletes the tools they need to thrive long term.

The industry itself continues to evolve. We saw growing demand for authentic creators, a powerful rise in women’s freeride and lifestyle storytelling, shifts in bonus structures, and increased competition from influencer-athletes who blend performance with personality. Understanding these dynamics helped us position our athletes strategically by being with brands at events and in constant communication with brands, ensuring they remain competitive, valuable and future-proofed in an increasingly fast-moving space.

*Robin Goomes, Emmerson Wilken, Ronan Burke, Kieran Watkins and Martha Gill, Red Bull Rampage*

Behind the Scenes

Being physically in the trenches with our athletes through the highs and lows, heavy travel schedules, well-being and the constant juggle between performing and creating was another key element 2025.

By attending Natural Selection Bike New Zealand, Sea Otter California, Red Bull Rampage Utah, Crankworx Rotorua, SilverStar and Whistler, GP North Jam and the World Cup round in Leogang, showing up in person meant we could take real pressure off our riders in the moments that mattered most. Sometimes that looked like handling media coordination so they could focus on riding. Other times it was reassurance at the event site, course-side hugs, or simply being the steady, familiar face in a high intensity environment. Showing up created space for them to do what they do best and reminded them they’re never doing this alone.

*Supporting Robin and Harriet at Crankworx Summer Series Silverstar*

Away from physical races and events, we offered practical support too: burn out management strategies, contract education, social strategy planning, negotiation guidance and honest conversations about career direction.

WILD SM was also part of a range of exciting creative projects where athletes embraced formats that showcased their craft, personality and process. We produced films, supported brand campaigns, developed pitch decks and collaborated on edits that spanned everything from Natural Selection and Crankworx Rotorua to Leogang, SilverStar and Whistler.

*Ben Thompson celebrating a career-best result in Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, Rotorua.*

Alongside this, we helped organize and deliver athlete-led event initiatives such as Building Blocks and GP North Jam, and supported the Ride & Create activation, contributing to some of the most community-driven, rider-first moments of the season.

*Building Blocks with ALN, Commencal and Whistler Blackcomb*

THANK YOU

To our athletes and brands we have worked with in 2025, thank you for believing in your craft, for backing yourselves, and for trusting WILD SM as your partner in this journey. Your grit, creativity and courage inspire everything we do. We’re proud to be in your corner as the next year unfolds!

ATHLETE HIGHLIGHTS

Andréane Lanthier Nadeu

Noteworthy Highlights: Building Blocks with Whistler Blackcomb and Commencal, Canadian National Down Hill Champion, EDR World Tour, Team Manager for the Commencal 7Mesh Team, Ride & Create event with 7Mesh.

Ben Thompson

Noteworthy Highlights: Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship Events, 3rd Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle

Bernard Kerr

Noteworthy Highlights: Red Bull Hardline Tasmania & Wales, DH World Cups, Crankworx DH Races, battled and came back from multiple injuries

Elliot Jackson

Noteworthy Highlights:: Red Bull Just Ride Podcast Co-Host, Host of Red Bull’s Ride it Back, Broadcast Host for Crankworx DH, Thule App Developer, Brand Shoots (Santa Cruz, SMITH, Thule)

Griffin Paulson

Noteworthy Highlights: Inaugural GP North Jam, Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship Events

Harriet Burbidge Smith

Noteworthy Highlights:: Returned from series injury, select FMB World Tour Slopestyle events, Red Bull Rampage, SWATCH Nines, select Monster Energy Backyard Battles, Film Shoots & Filming for upcoming Documentary (to be released in early 2026), Dark Horse mentor and participant

Jordy Scott

Noteworthy Highlights: Queen of Crankworx 2025, Focused on refining her DH race craft (attended select Monster Pro DH series races and select national DH races), Returned to school to start a Masters in Applied Physiology, Focused on brand development

Kasper Wolley

Noteworthy Highlights Battled injuries, moved to DH from EDR, Launched personal coaching brand - KasperWoolley Coaching

Nicholi Rogatkin

Noteworthy Highlights Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship Events, SWATCH Nines, Masters of Dirt featured rider / performer. Field Reporter and Broadcast Host at Red Bull Rampage

Robin Goomes

Noteworthy Highlights: Titles earned: Red Bull Rampage Winner (second year in a row and only women to have won), Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Champion (gives pre-qualification for all Diamond Slopestyle events in 2026 - two MASSIVE titles in one year) Events: Red Bull Rampage, Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship Events, DarkFest, Swatch Nines, select Monster Energy Backyard Battles, Brand Shoots, Exclusive signature line with POC, expansion of the Koo (her home training compound in NZ)

Tegan Cruz

Noteworthy Highlights 2nd King of Crankworx 2025, select Monster Pro DH Series events, regional DH races, focus on elevating personal brand of balancing racing + outdoor lifestyle

Vinny Armstrong

Noteworthy Highlights: Red Bull Rampage, Darkfest, Release of signature film ‘Deja Vu’, Dark Horse Mentor and participant, Natural Selection Bike