{"id":1809256,"date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1809256"},"modified":"2026-03-04T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:00:00","slug":"rnd-2026-a-super-session-of-monstrous-proportions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1809256","title":{"rendered":"RND 2026: A Super Session of Monstrous Proportions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Now in its third year, Robin Van Gyn\u2019s event \u201cRND\u201d has cemented itself as one of the most exciting fixtures on the snowboard calendar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Set against the vast terrain of Whitewater Resort in British Columbia, RND\u2019s mission is simple: get more women into the backcountry, and give them the tools they need to succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

To do that, the event combines two of the biggest goals for aspiring freeriders \u2014 filming a standout video part and earning a golden ticket to Natural Selection. Riders are judged on a mix of video footage shot during the weather window, alongside two contest runs on a Natural Selection\u2013style course.<\/span><\/p>\n

The beauty of the format is that it allows riders to develop their filming skills while waiting for the right conditions to run the contest. It\u2019s an exhausting gauntlet of bootpacks and backcountry laps, but we didn\u2019t hear a single complaint \u2014 only wide smiles and glowing reviews of the week.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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RND Movie Night & Athlete Seeding<\/b><\/h3>\n

Due to travel logistics, we arrived midway through the weather window, just in time for athlete seeding ahead of the contest weekend. Despite a week of filming already under their belts, there was a palpable opening-night energy as riders chose their drop order and collected their bibs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeding was decided by a ceremonial toss of the<\/span> verts<\/span><\/a>: longest throw earned first pick. Ellie Weiler won and, never one to shy away from pressure, opted to drop first.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evening also saw the premiere of <\/span>Facing Giants<\/span><\/i>, Ellery Manning\u2019s story of their journey from RND 2024 to Natural Selection 2025. The film highlights not just Ellery\u2019s riding, but their drive and perspective on snowboarding \u2014 as well as their heartwarmingly close friendship with fellow competitor Estelle Pensiero.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

That was followed by <\/span>WAYWARD<\/span><\/i> from TOMBOY Media \u2014 a full-length documentary exploring how women have shaped snowboarding. Richly detailed and beautifully made, it\u2019s one we strongly recommend seeing at a premiere if possible, or marking down in the calendar to watch upon its public release.<\/span><\/p>\n

Current <\/span>WAYWARD<\/span><\/i> premiere dates:<\/span><\/p>\n