Red Bull Hardline in photos: Dramatic competition amid a stunning BC backdrop

On October 16, the Red Bull Hardline downhill competition made its North American debut. The event was moved up a day because of weather, but massive crowds still showed up for the weekday event.

Everyone in attendance had high expectations for Jackson Goldstone, especially after seeding over seven seconds ahead of second place. An awkward and unexpected crash during his race run put him out of contention, but he still put on a show for his screaming Canadian fans.

A scenic mountain landscape featuring rugged peaks in the background, partially covered by trees. In the foreground, a sign provides information about the "Common Raven," positioned on a rocky surface with greenery surrounding it. The sky is clear, indicating a bright day.

360° degree views of the coastal mountain range may have helped calm the nerves before dropping in.

A mountain biker in a red outfit jumps off a wooden ramp leading from a small cabin set in a forested area, with a scenic view of mountains and a body of water in the background under a clear blue sky.

Local legend Finn Isles attempted to tame the Hardline track, and while he looked good in practice, an awkward uphill crash in his race run meant his day was over.

A person sitting on a chairlift with a bicycle attached, overlooking a vast landscape of trees and a bay with ships. The sky is partly cloudy, and mountains can be seen in the distance.

A mountain biker stands on a rock with a bicycle beside them, surrounded by greenery. The scene is reflected in calm water below, with a clear blue sky above. The biker wears a helmet and colorful cycling gear, showcasing a dynamic outdoor environment.

Left: Racers split time on the chairlift staring at the track and these legendary views of Vancouver. Right: Local Dane Jewett is all smiles during practice.

A young cyclist in a bright yellow and black outfit sits on a ski lift chair with a mountain landscape in the background. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, is giving a thumbs up with one hand while the other rests on his knee. A mountain bike is attached to the lift next to him, its front wheel hanging down. The scene captures a moment of excitement and adventure in a mountainous outdoor setting.

Jackson Goldstone was dominating practice sessions and was a clear favorite to win. His confidence was palpable… and for good reason!

A scenic view from a mountain overlook, featuring a ski lift and a gathering area with a large Red Bull tent. In the foreground, a wooden ramp leads down the slope, while riders and spectators mill about in a rocky area surrounded by lush green trees. The backdrop showcases rolling hills and a body of water, under a clear blue sky.

Staring down the “kitchen sink” – a massive 35-40 foot drop that included a challenging run-up and a rather large road gap soon after. There was little rest on this track. It’s so steep in this section that it was difficult to walk. Cypress Mountain has two opposing ski hills, and the one in the background is where the newly proposed bike park will be built for 2027. How exciting!

A mountain biker mid-air performing a jump off a rocky cliff, surrounded by lush green trees and a bright blue sky. A sponsor banner is visible on the rocky surface below.

A mountain biker performing a jump off a rocky terrain, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky. The rider is dressed in protective gear and colorful clothing, showcasing an action-packed moment in mountain biking.

Eventual winner Asa Vermette plunges down the kitchen sink. Asa has been casually, yet confidently winning everything as of late. It’s hard to imagine racing against the clock and mentally preparing to jump down a cliff. Asa tackles it with ease.

A mountain biker in a black and colorful outfit jumps off a rocky ledge, with a scenic view of the landscape in the background. The biker is airborne in front of a large sign that reads "Red Bull Hardline," surrounded by evergreen trees.

A group of four mountain bikers at a scenic outdoor location, standing on a large rock by a calm body of water. Two cyclists are positioned on the rock, one adjusting their bike and the other looking on. The other two individuals are off to the side, one taking a photo. The clear blue sky reflects in the water, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the scene.

Left: Lachlan Stevens-McNab sends the first jump during practice. Lachie has been putting in the work this year and it shows. He would later claim second place at Hardline. Big things are coming for him, and it’s safe to say that everyone is excited about what 2027 brings.

Center: You wouldn’t know it by how beautiful the top of Cypress Mountain is, but awaiting them is one of the most challenging downhill courses they’ll ever ride.

Right: Harry Molloy easily tackles the steep first section.

A mountain biker in red gear performs a jump off a wooden ramp in a natural outdoor setting, with rocky terrain and greenery in the background. Several spectators are watching and capturing the moment on camera. A SRAM sign is visible in the foreground.

A cyclist performing a jump off a wooden ramp with a "Red Bull Hardline" sign, surrounded by trees in a forested area. The rider is in mid-air, showcasing their bike skills against a backdrop of rugged terrain in British Columbia.

Left: Most mortals would dead sailor a drop of this size, but Tegan Cruz decides to add a bit of flair for extra style points.

Center: Ronan Dunne is coming off an injury, but judging how easily he rode all week, he’ll be back to full strength for 2027. That should have the rest of the field concerned.

Right: Finn was looking strong all week. Although he crashed, he put on a good show for his many fans.

A panoramic view of a tranquil blue bay surrounded by forested hills, with a mountain in the background. A ferry is seen cruising through the water, leaving a wake behind. Several small islands can be spotted in the bay, with a clear sky above.

Spectators who decided to hike up were greeted with stunning views like this one overlooking Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island.

A mountain biker performing a jump over a dirt ramp in a forested area, with a clear blue sky in the background. The scene includes a Red Bull flag waving in the breeze and ski lifts visible on the hillside.

New Zealand’s Oli Clarke whips his bike over the massive 90-foot finish jump and claimed a spectacular third-place result.

A large crowd gathers at an outdoor event, with a prominent dirt ramp featuring a colorful archway at the top. The background is filled with trees and a clear blue sky, and various tents and banners displaying branding can be seen among the spectators. The atmosphere is lively, with people dressed casually enjoying the event.

Although a last minute schedule change bumped race day from Saturday to Friday, thousands of fans came out to watch. As a first-time event at a first-time venue, Hardline went off seemingly without a hitch.

A mountain biker in protective gear rides on a dirt trail surrounded by trees and vegetation. The biker is leaning forward on a brightly colored bike, showcasing an intense focus as they navigate the terrain.

A bustling outdoor event scene at a mountain venue, featuring a large crowd gathered around a racecourse marked by a colorful inflatable Red Bull arch. In the foreground, a person and a child observe the festivities, while a clear blue sky and pine trees provide a scenic backdrop. Various tents and structures for vendors and participants are visible, along with additional spectators in the distance.

Left: I’m not sure if Gracey Hemstreet knows it, but her abilities on a bike are setting a precedent for female riders worldwide. She’ll go down as one of the all-time greatest mountain bike riders, and she’s only just turning 22 years old. She was riding with unmatched confidence all week and once again showed why she’s always invited back by winning Hardline yet again.

Right: As a former downhill racer from the early 2000s, it’s good to see what the sport has become. I wish I was younger!

A cyclist performing a mid-air trick on a mountain bike against a clear blue sky. The rider is wearing protective gear and a blue and white outfit, demonstrating a dynamic jump with one leg extended and the bike elevated.

Canadian Jacob Jewett won the best style points of the day with this massive whip over the 90-foot finish jump. He would be disqualified in his race run, but he put on a show nonetheless.

A group of children and an adult pose happily outdoors, wearing large cut-out masks of a smiling face and holding signs. They are on a hillside with spectators in the background, enjoying a sunny day with trees and power lines visible. The adult kneels in front, making a hand gesture, while the children show excitement with peace signs and cheerful expressions.

Jackson Goldstone’s rockstar status among the younger generation is something to behold firsthand. Like Gracey, Jackson will help breed generations of fast Canadian downhillers, mark my words. Downhill’s future is looking bright.

A mountain biker performing a mid-air trick against a clear blue sky, showcasing dynamic movement and skill while riding a yellow and black bike.

A mountain biker performing a mid-air trick against a clear blue sky. The rider is wearing a black and orange outfit, with a helmet and gloves, showcasing a dynamic pose while the bicycle is elevated off the ground.

Left: Atherton Bikes’ Charlie Hatton styles it out on his way to a 7th place finish. Not bad!

Right: Tegan Cruz on his way to a 4th place finish. Was there ever any doubt?

A mountain biker performing a jump on a dirt trail, surrounded by spectators who are taking photos and cheering. The background features lush green trees, and the biker is wearing a helmet and colorful gear.

Left: Vibes were high in the finish area!

Center: What could have been. Veteran Bernard Kerr was well on his way for a potential podium finish when disaster struck. Within sight of the finish, he partially missed a wooden ramp, sending him off the side, crashing into the backside of the landing jump. I later showed him this image on my camera, saying that he had the best scrub of the day. His reaction? “Dude, that’s insane!”

Right: What could have been. I had Jackson pegged for at least a 5-7 second victory, but a crash ended those dreams. He was up by over a second at the first split, and that first split was awkward and mostly flat.

A mountain biker wearing a red and white jersey with the number 33 embraces another rider while standing next to their bike. In the background, a crowd watches the interaction with enthusiasm, surrounded by trees and outdoor event decorations.

A mountain bike racer in a white racing uniform, showing a victory gesture to a cheering crowd, with muddy shorts indicating recent competition. The background includes fans enthusiastically displaying excitement, and a wooden fence lined with spectators.

Left: Oli Clarke consoles Jackson after giving it his all.

Center: The reaction from his fans was like witnessing Wayne Gretzky hoisting the Stanley Cup on home soil. The future is bright for Canadian downhill.

Right: The mass exodus after the race was over. Red Bull Hardline was such a success, and there will be at least two more years to learn and improve upon this inaugural event.