Last year, Robin Van Gyn launched the RND event to bring together and showcase the next generation of female backcountry snowboarders. While the prize money and a coveted spot in Natural Selection were big rewards, the real win was the exposure these riders gained.
Take Ellery Manning, for example: the youngest competitor from Tahoe, who took home first place and earned her ticket to Natural Selection. An opportunity like this could have taken her years to achieve.
The athlete roster is packed with names you'll want on your radar—these riders are the future of backcountry snowboarding.
Name: Marissa Krawczak
Hometown: Bend, OR
Home Resort : Mt Bachelor
Sponsors : Jones Snowboards, Pit Viper, Tactics, Spark R&D
Best memory from RnD 2024: Sessioning features and hiking with Katie and Stefi, loved their chill and fun vibes!
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I watch Rom Coms while I sharpen my edges.
Name: Zoë Vernon
Hometown: Bellingham, WA
Home resort: Mt. Baker
Sponsors: 686, Lib-Tech, Blackstrap, WWS, Kulshan Brewing
Best Memory of R&D 2024: The absolute beat down dance party we put on the Royal Bar in Nelson after the awards ceremony. We promise not to light up spliffs in the bar again if you let us back.
Something interesting about myself: I had blue hair for over 10 years. Should I bring it back?
Name: Zoë Vernon
Hometown: Bellingham, WA
Home resort: Mt. Baker
Sponsors: 686, Lib-Tech, Blackstrap, WWS, Kulshan Brewing
Best Memory of R&D 2024: The absolute beat down dance party we put on the Royal Bar in Nelson after the awards ceremony. We promise not to light up spliffs in the bar again if you let us back.
Something interesting about myself: I had blue hair for over 10 years. Should I bring it back?
Name: Telma Särkipaju
Hometown: Seinäjoki, Finland but right now living in Kuusamo (Ruka)
Home Resort : Joupiska and Ruka Ski Resort
Sponsors : Burton Europe, Park Works, Ruka Ski Resort, Blistex
Best memory from RnD 2024: Honestly getting to hang out and get to know everyone. Seeding game was also really fun.
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I don’t know how to burb.
Hometown: Seinäjoki, Finland but right now living in Kuusamo (Ruka)
Home Resort : Joupiska and Ruka Ski Resort
Sponsors : Burton Europe, Park Works, Ruka Ski Resort, Blistex
Best memory from RnD 2024: Honestly getting to hang out and get to know everyone. Seeding game was also really fun.
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I don’t know how to burb.
Name: Nelly Steinhoff
Hometown: South Lake Tahoe, Ca
Home Resort: Kirkwood
Sponsors: Jones Snowboards, Spark R&D, Le Bent, POC, Vans
Best memory from RnD 2024: Having to drop in first for my first ever free ride comp was super intimidating but also ended up being the most fun run I had for the whole trip! It was such an incredible experience so a part of the first of many RnD’s to come I can’t wait to see where it goes from here!
Name: Estelle Pensiero
Hometown: Nelson BC
Home Resort :Whitewater
Sponsors : Volcom, Arbor snowboards, DB bags, Backcountry Access, Dragon
Best memory from RnD 2024: Building a little quarterpipe on the day before the comp with Naima, the hand plant QUEEN!!
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: outside of snowboarding, my dream job would be to be a biologist and study bats.
Name: Naima Antolin
Hometown: SLC
Home Resort : Brighton
Sponsors : Airblaster, Gnu, coal headwear, Dang shades, crab grab
Best memory from RnD 2024: Being in the back seat of both Robin and Hana’s trucks while they drove down the most potholed mountain access road I’ve even been on at full speed. On a more serious note, my favorite memory was seeing all the talented girls charge the course in sub par conditions.
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: slightly controversial fun fact I don’t like house hold animals, most dogs give me anxiety but every now and again a pet will seep through my barriers and I’ll start to like them a little bit but that’s very rare.
Name: Melissa Riitano
Hometown: Helena, Montana
Home Resort: Brighton
Sponsors: K2, Dang, Back Country Access, Coal, Crab Grab
Best memory from RnD 2024: It’s hard to pick just one, I think the contest day was special. The conditions were not good and all the girls showed the fuck up. I left that day feeling so uplifted and inspired by everyone.
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: In the off-season, I’m a food stylist. I make food look pretty for ads.
Name: Gillian Andrewshenko
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Home Resort : Whistler Blackcomb
Sponsors : Pacific Boarder, Endeavor Snowboards, Airhole, Sandbox, Vans, Salmon Arms
Best memory from RnD 2024: The 20 rider hit runs on scope day and the greatest musical production of Greased Lightning at the Gold party
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I’m a registered massage therapist (so invite me to your events/add me to the crew for free treatments) hehe
Name: Ellery Manning
Hometown: Truckee, California
Home Resort : Palisades Tahoe
Sponsors : Arc’teryx, Jones, Dragon Goggles
Best memory from RnD 2024: My best memory from RnD was definitely seshing the pillow field on the second day and just hanging out and getting clips with everyone….and the whitewater lodge poutine of course
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I recently moved from Tahoe to Salt Lake City for my freshman year of college
Name: Kaleah Opal
Hometown: Dubuque Iowa/ SLC UT.
Home resort: Brighton
Sponsors: Capita, Union, Coal, Donut Shop, Salmon arms
Best memory from RnD 2024: Gold themed after party
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I love coffee
Name: Stefi Luxton
Hometown: Wanaka, New Zealand
Home resort: June Mountain
Sponsors: Thirtytwo, Arbor Snowboards, Electric, Sun Bum, & Bluebird Wax
Best memory from RnD 2024: Cold plunge to hot tub combo on the off day
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I'm currently a student and getting my degree in Exercise Physiology
Name: Katie Kennedy
Hometown: Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
Home resort: Brighton Resort/Woodward
Sponsors: 686, LibTech, Bent Metal, & Woolf Merino
Best memory from RnD 2024: Stefi's backside 180 and sunroof surfing on our way home from the awards party
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: I snowboard regular, skateboard goofy, and do digital marketing switchbackside fakie
Name: Madison Blackley
Hometown: Park City, Utah
Home resort: Brighton
Sponsors: Rome, Airblaster, Dang Shades, Deeluxe, Coal, Uinta Brewing, and High Country Healing
Best memory from RnD 2024: All the blackflips with Telma
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: II’m a direct descendent of the original Mormon pioneers who founded Utah, I am not Mormon though
Best memory from RnD 2024: All the blackflips with Telma
Anything interesting we should know about you,/ fun fact: II’m a direct descendent of the original Mormon pioneers who founded Utah, I am not Mormon though