The Red Bulletin US 07/22

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

U.S. EDITION JUL./AUG. 2022, $5.99

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

F L I G H T

P L A N

With the World Championships looming, high jump sensation Vashti Cunningham is ready to soar

THE RED BULLETIN 07-08/2022

SUBSCRIBE

NOW D E TA I L S

INSIDE

oanda.com/rbny

Head over heels for a No.1 broker Awarded Highest Overall Client Satisfaction* and Best Forex Broker 2021**. See for yourself why highperformance traders get excited about trading with us and download our user-friendly app today.

Leveraged trading is high risk. Losses can exceed deposits. *Awarded highest overall client satisfaction (Investment Trends 2021 US Leverage Trading Report, Margin Forex) **Voted Best Forex and CFD Broker 2021 (TradingView Broker Awards 2021)

EDITOR’S NOTE

IN-FLIGHT SERVICE To a degree that was not exactly preplanned, this issue is full of characters who spend a lot of time up in the air. Our cover story profiles world-class high jumper Vashti Cunningham, who has ambitions to medal in July at this year’s World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Vashti’s narrative has this fascinating duality—where she’s at once fueled by the singular independence demanded by her discipline and the ever-present love of her family. Life is like that: a team sport demanding individual excellence.

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE

BEN FRANKE

Franke discovered Extreme Pogo completely by chance while walking around the town of Burlington, Vermont, on vacation. “Finding such a unique and interesting sport is pretty amazing,” says the New York City–based photographer, who immediately spent a few days documenting the Xpogo scene. Franke has shot for The New York Times, Women’s Health and Leica. Page 58

Photographer Dana Scruggs captures Vashti Cunningham in flight.

But there are way more high flyers. There’s a photo essay documenting the radically vertical sport of Extreme Pogo. There’s a profile of Karsten Warholm, a world-recordsetting track star who soars over hurdles like no one in human history. There’s above-the-rim action in a feature on basketball culture in Atlanta. And there’s an arresting gallery spread of a mountain biker hucking a 360 in Kazakhstan. The message is clear: We want you to soar. 04

Garland profiled Jahi Rawlings, founder of the groundbreaking Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League. “I’ve known Jah for more than a decade now and always knew of his love for the sport and culture of basketball,” says the Atlanta-based writer, whose work has been published by NPR, Complex and Hip-Hop Wired. “But I had no idea he was pretty much a pre-social-media high school hoops phenom back in South Carolina.” Page 70

THE RED BULLETIN

DANA SCRUGGS (COVER)

MAURICE GARLAND

GEICO.COM/CYCLE • 1-800-442-9253 • LOCAL OFFICE GREAT LOW RATES | MULTI-VEHICLE DISCOUNT | SPECIALIZED AGENTS Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. In the state of CA, program provided through Boat Association Insurance Services, license #0H87086. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Customer satisfaction based on an independent study conducted by Alan Newman Research, 2020. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2022 GEICO 21_731772673

CONTENTS July/August

FEATURES 22

Personal Best

34

Above and Beyond

With the World Championships looming, high jump phenom Vashti Cunningham is ready to make the leap to new heights. Norwegian Karsten Warholm crushed the 400-meter hurdles world record at the Tokyo Olympics. Where will he go next?

46 Staying Power

On the road with the Speed Project, the rebel running race that few know about, fewer compete in and no entrant ever forgets.

58 70

Time to Bounce

Prepare yourself to be amazed by Extreme Pogo, a new action sport where athletes soar on super sticks made of springs.

The Hoops Whisperer

Meet Jahi “Jah” Rawlings, the man behind a pro-am league that’s putting Atlanta on the map—and forging new paths.

22 OVER THE TOP

Vashti Cunningham, 24, has been the best female high jumper in the United States since she was in high school.

70 TOTAL BALLER

When Jahi Rawlings created the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League, he changed the sport’s landscape in the city.

06

THE RED BULLETIN

THE

DEPARTURE

Taking You to New Heights 9 Iconic goalkeeper Briana

Scurry’s greatest save

12 Pipe dreams in Cape Town 14 Taking the plunge in Tahiti;

holding on in Mallorca

16 Playing tricks in Kazakhstan 18 Rapper Denzel Curry

opens up on his new album

20 Happy tunes from

Fontaines D.C.’s guitarist

GUIDE

Get it. Do it. See it. 81 Travel: Four ski towns that

are ripe for summer fun

84 Fitness tips from Olympic

sprinter Kaylin Whitney

86 Dates for your calendar 88 The best new gear for when

you want to get wet

94 Anatomy of Gear 96 The Red Bulletin worldwide

DANA SCRUGGS, SANDRO BAEBLER, BRIAN HALL

98 Flying high in Formation

34

QUANTUM LEAP “I’m obsessed with excellence,” says champion hurdler Karsten Warholm. “How can you push the limits?”

THE RED BULLETIN

07

OFFLINE AND OFF-ROAD IS THE BEST WAY TO GO.

GO EXPLORE

LIFE

&

STYLE

BEYOND

THE

ORDINARY

THE

GETTY IMAGES

NO MEAN FEAT

Briana Scurry was a legendary goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s national soccer team, but after a traumatic brain injury, it turns out the greatest save she ever made was saving herself. Words CAT AUER

THE RED BULLETIN

Scurry’s new memoir, My Greatest Save, is out June 21.

09

A

t the peak of her career, Briana Scurry was the best female goalkeeper in the world. Known for her athleticism, her not-so-secret weapon was her mental toughness, her focus. (U.S. national teammate Brandi Chastian once described Scurry’s game face as “lasers coming out of her eyeballs.”) That winning combo of physical and mental power took Scurry to two Olympic golds, the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and a legendary 1999 World Cup win: Her fullstretch save in a PK shootout set up Chastain to deliver the winning goal against China, rocketing the team to stardom and boosting the profile of women’s soccer worldwide. Those are the public victories. But Scurry notched another major win, a private one—and it was a true lifesaver.

By 2010, Scurry had been playing soccer for close to three decades. She was 38 and knew her playing days wouldn’t last forever, but she hadn’t yet planned what would come next. After serving as an alternate at the 2008 Olympics, she’d signed with the Washington Freedom of the Women’s Professional Soccer league, a precursor to today’s National Women’s Soccer League. On April 25, 2010, Scurry took her place on the field, ready as ever to protect the net. She had no way to know that it would be her last match. About 35 minutes in, a shot on goal came from her left; she veered and bent to scoop the attempt. As she smothered the ball, an opposing forward’s kneecap connected hard with her right temple. Scurry never saw it coming. “I knew when I came off the pitch that there was

As the goalie for the U.S. women’s national soccer team, Briana Scurry won two Olympic gold medals and helped clinch a World Cup win in 1999.

10

something really wrong, but at the time I didn’t realize it was career ending,” she says today. What followed was more than three years of selfdescribed hell as she dealt with the fallout from a traumatic brain injury— though she didn’t realize at first that’s what it was. Scurry’s existence transformed into one of pain management and dayto-day survival. Always an optimist, she was suddenly struggling with depression and debilitating headaches. She withdrew into herself, becoming someone she didn’t recognize. Someone who used Vicodin and alcohol as relief. And she found her thoughts turning ugly, toward suicide. “We’re talking about some real demons, real dark, nolight-coming-through, black hole kind of stuff,” says Scurry, who is now 50. “It was important to me, as part of my legacy, to share that with the world.” In her memoir, My Greatest Save (out on June 21), Scurry takes a no-holdsbarred approach to telling her life story. She wants readers to know that if they’re struggling, they aren’t alone— that she understands because she’s been there, too. Head injuries are often invisible—no bruises, bandages or casts—and they become invisible in another way when we fail to talk about them. Despite her close bonds with old teammates, Scurry never reached out for help. “This is sad, but I was somewhat ashamed, almost as if it was my fault that I wasn’t better yet,” she says. She’d always thought of herself as a warrior on the field, but that mentality—key to success as an elite athlete— in a way became detrimental. “Soldiering through doesn’t work with a brain injury. That’s part of what I’m trying to teach people.” THE RED BULLETIN

GETTY IMAGES, JENNIFER PACKARD

T H E D E PA RT U R E

Yet she never gave up on her fight to get better. A judge approved her workers’ comp claim, but lawyers for the team’s insurance fought it. The doctors they provided insisted nothing was wrong with her. Never mind the headaches, the personality change, the sudden inability to remember. As bills mounted, Scurry began to feel desperate. So desperate, she eventually pawned her gold medals. A friend connected Scurry with a PR exec who got the media interested in the story of how a living sports legend wasn’t getting needed medical care. Suddenly, the path to treatment cleared. More than three years after her concussion, Scurry had cutting-edge surgery to THE RED BULLETIN

repair the damage to her occipital nerves. When she awoke, the pain was gone. And she was able to get back to being herself. The injury may have ended her career, but it started a new chapter in her life—one with a happy ending: Scurry and the PR exec fell in love and married in 2018. If she’s not relaxing in their backyard or in the gym (her “happy place”), these days you might find Scurry at the White House advocating for equal

treatment for women players, or spreading awareness about concussions at one of her many speaking engagements. You might even see her onscreen—she starred in this year’s limited-release film High Expectations, playing the head coach of a men’s U.S. pro team. In real life, MLS has never had a woman head coach; that’s the kind of thing Scurry pushes to change. And her gold medals? Safe and sound. Scurry’s wife helped her buy them back.

In 2010, Scurry suffered a traumatic brain injury that ended her career. But after a cutting-edge surgery, she got her life back— and today is spreading awareness about concussions.

“SOLDIERING THROUGH DOESN’T WORK WITH A BRAIN INJURY,” SAYS SCURRY. 11

T H E D E PA RT U R E

Cape Town, South Africa

PIPE DREAM

WAYNE REICHE/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

DAVYDD CHONG

BMXers view the world differently from the rest of us. If we saw a big pipe, we might think, “Oh, a big pipe.” But as photographer/ rider Wayne Reiche explains, “[BMXer Murray Loubser and I] spotted this full pipe at the harbor and got excited. We thought we’d have to sneak in a session, but after talking to a worker we found out they were cutting it up and didn’t mind us riding it. It was tight, but Murray got really comfortable clocking in nice and high.” The shot won Reiche a semifinal spot in Red Bull Illume. Instagram: @waynereiche

13

T H E D E PA RT U R E

Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia

DEEP END

Yes, that is a bodyboard the surfer is attached to. And yes, the boards are meant to float. But such is the peril if you don’t catch Teahupo’o’s famed barrel just right. “There’s so much water moving that the surfer is dragged backward,” says French photographer Ben Thouard, who captured this shot. “They’re in between two worlds—trying to escape the power of the wave, but in a position where pretty much exit is not possible.” On the bright side, great shots like this Red Bull Illume semifinalist are possible, so let’s call it a draw. benthouard.com

14

DAVYDD CHONG BEN THOUARD/RED BULL ILLUME, DAN KRAUSS/RED BULL ILLUME

Palma, Mallorca

LAND GRAB In bouldering parlance, a dyno (short for dynamic movement) is a midair leap to reach your next hold. Which is what American climber Daniel Fong is doing—onsight, meaning without pause to prepare—in this pulse-quickening shot by Dan Krauss, a Red Bull Illume finalist. Scary? Don’t fret: This is the discipline known as deep-water soloing, or “psicobloc,” where any fall will be cushioned by the churning sea below. In this case, it’s only 46 feet down. dankraussphoto.com THE RED BULLETIN

15

Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

DROP SHOT

If you have the inspiration, nature has the canvas. This composite image of MTB rider Matvey Cheboksarov in Kazakhstan’s huge, 1,776-square-mile Altyn-Emel National Park is proof. “During location scouting, we saw interesting natural drops, so we didn’t have to dig [at all],” says photographer Sergei Martynov. “Matvey suggested we shoot ‘something’ there, and that something was 360-ing it down to the desert loam.” The result: a semifinal place in Red Bull Illume, and no harm done. “In the end, Matvey rode away from the trick and didn’t break himself or any piece of the desert.” redbullillume.com

SERGEI ALEKSANDROVICH MARTYNOV/RED BULL ILLUME

DAVYDD CHONG

T H E D E PA RT U R E

17

T H E D E PA RT U R E

Denzel Curry

therapy, they’d be like, “What you going to therapy for? Are you crazy? Don’t go to therapy, just talk to us.” But you can’t tell them half the shit you’ve been going through, because they wouldn’t get it. I need somebody who’s on the outside, someone completely unbiased.

A

fter more than a decade on the scene, Denzel Curry is ready for the big time. The Florida rapper began writing rhymes in sixth grade, having long harbored dreams of becoming a poet, and released his first mixtape at the age of 16. A string of acclaimed albums, mixtapes and singles later, the now 27-year-old has gained a reputation as one of the most talented lyricists in the hip-hop underground, with numerous high-profile fans, from Thundercat to Billie Eilish. But Curry’s readiness to take the next step in his career has as much to do with the work he’s done on his mental health as it does his industry accolades. In the past, the rapper has struggled to convey via his music the trauma that has stalked him throughout his career. However, on his latest album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future, he’s finally able to be completely honest.   : What prompted you to open up on this new album?  : For a while, I was disguising my trauma in the music I was making. But people have this perception of you, like, “Oh, man, you’re not willing to man up to whatever you’ve got going on.” And so I wanted to man up about every single thing. I know who I am; I don’t need people to tell me

18

who I am. That’s what made me write it all down. I was feeling remorseful about the majority of my actions and I had to put it out somewhere, somehow. When did you know things needed to change? I was at the studio. I was saying a lot of shit that was super suicidal, and then I had to really think about myself, like, “What am I saying?” I went home and broke down to my girlfriend about everything I’ve been through. She had tears running down her face; I’m crying and shit. It was just a lot. My girl was actually the one who helped me find a therapist. How has therapy helped you? It made me open up about a lot of things, because you’re mining and digging up some pretty deep-rooted stuff. All my previous actions were based around something that happened to me in my life. I’m shaped by trauma. But nowadays, at the age of 27, I’m shaping myself by overcoming trauma. My therapist was like, “We’re not looking for you to be perfect; we’re looking for you to progress as a human being.” There’s a stigma surrounding therapy, especially in the Black community. Did that delay you seeking help? Definitely. If you told your homies you were going to

You’re Billie Eilish’s favorite rapper. How did it feel to learn that one of the world’s biggest pop stars was a fan of yours? It was dope as fuck! But I don’t see her as this huge pop star. To me, she’s my homie. I’ve known her since she was young. So I don’t see her that way, except maybe when we were out on tour together. It was mindblowing to see these packed arenas. Being on that tour with her opened my eyes to the possibility that I could do this, too; I could do arenas. So it gave you new self-belief? I wanted to be able to do arenas, and I was figuring out a way to do it. It’s gonna happen one day. Next time you interview me, it will be in an arena somewhere. Denzel Curry’s Melt My Eyez See Your Future is out now; denzelcurry.com THE RED BULLETIN

WILL LAVIN

The rapper explains how working on his mental health helped him make his most honest album to date.

Thundercat, who appears on your new album, has said Muay Thai helped him overcome his own traumas. Have you guys ever connected through it, given you’re also a Muay Thai fighter? Me and him were hanging out every day throughout quarantine. We’d watch a lot of fighting together, and I’d show him my sparring videos. We related so much through that and through just being yourself. He’s actually one of the reasons I continue to be myself, because he doesn’t give a fuck. He’s like, “Bruh, I’ma wear this. I’m gonna paint my nails. I’m gonna get a Cowboy Bebop tattoo, and I’m gonna wear these cat ears.” He knows what he likes. And that helped me to express what I like and how to convey it.

ADRIAN VILLAGOMEZ

SPEAKING THE UNSPEAKABLE

“I HAD BEEN DISGUISING MY TRAUMA IN THE MUSIC I WAS MAKING.” THE RED BULLETIN

19

T H E D E PA RT U R E

Playlist

MOOD MUSIC

Fontaines D.C.: Carlos O’Connell, the Irish post-punk band’s guitarist, shares his most uplifting playlist.

W

hen Fontaines D.C. released their third album, Skinty Fia, this April, it was hailed as their angriest yet. Following the success of Dogrel (2019) and the Grammy-nominated A Hero’s Death (2020), it turned out the Irish post-punk quintet still had plenty to brood about. Unhappy at their government’s handling of the COVID crisis and disillusioned by scandals plaguing the Catholic Church, they’d moved to London only to find things weren’t any better. But it’s not all doom and gloom in the lives of Fontaines D.C. Here, guitarist Carlos O’Connell (pictured, second from left) lists four tracks that raise his spirits. fontainesdc.com

20

WUNDERHORSE “TEAL” (2021) “What I’m excited about with [Wunderhorse, aka Jacob Slater, formerly of rock band Dead Pretties] is that he’s writing songs again. A lot of bands who emerged in the last few years haven’t paid attention to the song, the melody, the harmony. I’ve missed that. I’m sick of the formula of angular music with spoken word over it.”

KENDRICK LAMAR “HUMBLE” (2017) “With this third song I’m choosing, I’m going a little bit different. I find ‘Humble’ [a triple-Grammy-winning single for the California rapper, taken from his multiplatinum album, DAMN.] to be such a perfectly executed song. It’s strong, it’s fearless, and it leads with the groove and just attitude. I can’t get enough of it, to be honest.”

BLUR “OUT OF TIME” (2003) “I think [Blur singer] Damon Albarn is one of the most incredible living songwriters, and this is a beautiful example. What I love about it is the Easternsounding guitar solo. It might not even be a guitar—it sounds a bit sitar-y—but the interaction of Eastern sound and that sort of very conventional ’90s music is a beautiful thing.” THE RED BULLETIN

FILMAWI

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS “TODAY” (1993) “When I was in my early teens I was very into grunge music. Very. Just the noise of it. Then I found the Smashing Pumpkins to have this incredible sensibility—it’s soft and super vicious at the same time, and I don’t think there’s another band that parallels that. This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I love the guitars in it, too.”

MARCEL ANDERS

Scan this QR code to hear our Playlist podcast with Fontaines D.C. on Spotify.

Emi Erickson in the midst of one of the biggest winter surf seasons in decades, has no choice other than the biggest tool in the quiver.

With the World Championships looming, high jump phenomenon Vashti Cunningham is ready to make the leap to new heights. Words NORA O’DONNELL

22

Photography DANA SCRUGGS

Two-time Olympian Vashti Cunningham, 24, was photographed in Santa Monica on March 23.

V 24

ashti Cunningham isn’t ready for takeoff. She’s standing on a massive trampoline in the middle of a parking lot in Santa Monica, surrounded by a photo crew eager to capture a cover shot of her flying in midair. But as the sun inches closer to the horizon on a warm day in late March, the 24-year-old track and field sensation feels a little unsure about the super springy material beneath her bare feet. As the best female high jumper in the United States, Cunningham can hurl her 6-foot-1 body over a bar that’s raised as high as 2.02 meters (her personal best)—a height that’s a bit taller than the average NBA player. But now she is positioned on a competitive gymnastics apparatus that can propel her body up to 30 feet in the air and is being directed to bounce up and down and land on her back. For good reason, Cunningham doesn’t want to get injured, and there’s a legitimate risk that she might hyperextend her knees or twist her neck on the rebound—or something worse. A nonathlete might assume that a professional high jumper loves to jump all the time, but as Cunningham later explains, “Our body is our instrument.” If that instrument gets banged out of tune for the sake of a cool photograph, then her elite sporting days could be over. And now is her time to be center stage. For more than half a decade, Cunningham has topped the national leaderboard in her event. She won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships, gold and silver at the World Indoor Championships (2016 and 2018) and is a two-time Olympian— though she admits some disappointment with her performances in Rio (13th) and Tokyo (6th). This summer she hopes to defend her national outdoor title in June and then claim gold in July at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. With a homefield advantage and the full presence of her support system—her unsinkable family—can she finally make the leap to new heights?

I

t’s impossible to write about Vashti Cunningham and not mention her family—especially her father, Randall, who happens to be her coach. NFL fans who followed the sport in the 1980s and ’90s will surely remember the trailblazing tenure of NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, aka “the Ultimate Weapon,” who was known for his speed and scrambling ability on the field. He was also a track star in high school in Santa Barbara, where he cleared 6-foot-9 in the high jump as a senior. When Vashti was 4, her father retired from the NFL after 16 seasons and settled the family in Las Vegas. So her motivation to pick up sports didn’t come from watching her dad. Instead, the spark that ignited her interest was something a bit rawer in nature: sibling rivalry. “It was so competitive,” Vashti says of her close relationship with her older brother, Randall II, who’s two years her senior and a former NCAA champion and U.S. Junior National champion in high jump. (In addition to her brother, she has two younger sisters, Grace and Sofia.) “Anything that he was doing, I wanted to try and do better than him or beat him at it.” She was nipping at his heels in other ways, too, playing the role of the mischievous little sister and drawing up blueprints to prank her brother and his friends. “It was funny things—pictures of them sleeping, the route my friends and I would take getting into the room, and then what we were going to do to them,” Vashti says of the plans she mapped out in her journal. “It was nail polish on one of their foreheads, toothpaste in one of their noses.” But mostly, she just wanted to find ways to be with her brother and his friends, so she picked up whatever sport her brother did. First it was soccer, starting in kindergarten. Then there was flag football, where she played quarterback and running back. “My brother and my dad have always had a really close-knit relationship because of football,” THE RED BULLETIN

“It was so competitive,” Cunningham says about growing up with her older brother, Randall. “Anything that he was doing, I wanted to try and do better than him or beat him at it.”

“It’s all on you at the end of the day. Your wins, your losses, your heights.”

Vashti says. “And I used to watch him and be a little jealous of all the time my dad would spend with him. It was like me chasing my best friend all the time.” After that came basketball, which she also loved. During those early years dabbling in various sports, her father was not her coach. But Randall was always present on the sidelines, mostly keeping quiet. Until one day he silently stepped in—and left a lasting impression on his daughter about what kind of coach he might be. The pivotal moment came in the fourth grade, after Vashti had picked up volleyball. She says her coach just did not like her: “I was one of the strongest hitters on the team, but I used to play around a lot,” she admits. (Then later, as she reflects on her personality as a kid: “I had kind of a stinky attitude.”) Despite her skills, she remembers one game when her coach kept her on the bench while her team struggled. “We were getting our butts whooped,” Vashti clarifies. As she sat there watching her team lose, 26

she looked across the court at her dad, who was sitting up in the bleachers, and made eye contact. Without saying a word, he stood up, walked over to the bench and took his daughter home. “I loved him so much in that moment,” Vashti says. “I turned and looked at my coach, and I smiled when we were walking away. Because my dad was not going to sit there and watch us lose.” That same school year, her father took her to the track for the first time, where he was training her older brother to high jump. Of course, she immediately wanted to follow suit. And not surprisingly, she had a talent for high jumping, too. It wasn’t long before her father was training both kids—and he’s been coaching her ever since. Although Vashti loved basketball and volleyball, there was something about the individuality of the high jump that called to her. There would be no more sitting on the bench in track and field. “It’s all on you at the end of the day,” she says. “Your wins, your losses, your times, your heights.” She also loved the idea that high jumping is a skill not everybody can do. “It’s not something that’s a natural movement like running,” she says. “It’s something you have to learn and really treat as a process. The further you get along, the more you see that every little detail counts toward your success. I think my favorite thing is just the fact that it’s not easy.” Indeed, it’s not. High jumping requires speed and strength, and in less than 10 seconds, Cunningham must combine a flurry of skills to launch herself over a flimsy bar that’s 6 feet or more off the ground. First there are three rapid steps, followed by two opening strides, where she’s pacing herself to attack the bar. Then the last four steps are blindingly fast, just before she plants one foot for the most powerful step in the process. As she takes flight, her body twists backwards in midair, her back arches and her legs snap upward like a bullwhip so she can clear the bar. Landing on her back, she quickly somersaults like a pro wrestler to help soften the blow. By her sophomore year in high school, she was one of the best female high jumpers in the country, and by her senior year, she was the very best, winning her first indoor national title in 2016 when she was 18 years old. About a week later she won gold at the World Indoor Championships. Five months after that, she competed at the Olympics in Rio, turned pro in lieu of college and started learning how to manage life in the spotlight. THE RED BULLETIN

GETTY IMAGES

In 2019, Cunningham won the bronze medal in high jump at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, with a jump of 2.00 meters.

Cunningham says she loves that high jumping is a skill not everybody can do: “It’s something you have to learn and treat as a process. I think my favorite thing is just the fact that it’s not easy.”

THE RED BULLETIN

27

Cunningham recently signed with a modeling agency and has an affinity for high fashion and photography.

“God gave me the blessing of being a professional athlete, but this is not my life and there’s still life out there.”

E

GETTY IMAGES

arly in the day at the photo shoot in Santa Monica, Cunningham is thumbing through a rack of designer clothes, weighing her options. Two days earlier, there was a tornado of text messages between her and the stylist, where Vashti “hearted” pictures of dozens of looks that felt like her vibe. Now, as she tries on different outfits, there are audible gasps coming from the crew of women fluttering around her. “She looks like an angel,” whispers one member of the hair and makeup team. As the light beams on her statuesque presence, it’s impossible not to stare. Even if someone didn’t know of her athletic accomplishments, it’s clear that she’s somebody from the moment she enters a room. Standing over 6 feet tall with limbs as graceful and sinewy as a prima ballerina, it’s perhaps no surprise to report that Vashti also models. She’s walked the runway for Off-White, the brand founded by the late Virgil Abloh, an American fashion powerhouse who died of cancer last year. And recently, she signed with a modeling agency based in Santa Monica. Her curiosity for fashion traces back to her grade school days. But little Vashti wasn’t flipping through copies of Vogue and creating a vision board. Rather, she was admiring the outfits of a woman she saw every day: her mother. “I remember seeing my mom with these question-mark jeans. I was like, ‘What the heck? Where did you get these pants, and will I ever fit them? I hope one day I have a butt to fit those jeans,’ ” she laughs. Her mother, Felicity, was a ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and she encouraged her

THE RED BULLETIN

daughter to lean into her creative side at an early age. Vashti loved drawing and painting and attended arts camp during the summer. And since then, she’s developed a deep fondness for landscape photography, something she dreams of pursuing professionally after she hangs up her track spikes. That creative outlet provides balance to her life, especially when it comes to handling the mental strain of practicing an individual sport. Vashti says her artistic pursuits give her the space and time to not think about track and not be so hard on herself if a certain jump or competition doesn’t go the way she thought it would. “I have to remember that God gave me the blessing of being a professional track athlete, but this is not my life and there’s still life out there,” she says. “This is something I learned from my mom.” Vashti continues, “To hear my mom tell me that there are other things in life, that you have desires and you can chase them but remain focused on the platform that God has given you—that was a game changer for me.” Both of her parents are ordained pastors, and they founded Remnant Ministries in Las Vegas nearly 20 years ago. Their love and spiritual guidance clearly keep Vashti grounded, though her admiration for her mother feels particularly profound. “I’m kind of blown away at the fact that she’s my actual mother,” Vashti says. “She’s really like an angel. She is one of the most comforting people in any circumstance. She tries to understand what everybody’s going through, and she’s never ever judging anybody.” Vashti sought her mother’s counsel a few years ago, when she decided it was time to move out of her parents’ house and carve out some independence from her father. She was at an age where At the Athletics most of her peers were in college, World Cup in London living away from home, but in 2018, Cunningham instead she was constantly under edged out Morgan the watchful eye of her coach. Lake of the U.K. to Her mother helped her find an win gold with a jump apartment, but her dad didn’t of 1.96 meters. initially support the idea. “I wouldn’t say he’s overly controlling,” Vashti says of her dad. “But he just enjoys being in control of things. I think with me moving out, he wouldn’t know when I was asleep or when I was at my apartment. I just think he wasn’t ready for me to move out.” Of course, everything worked out fine. “I’m very thankful for my apartment years, even though my dad wasn’t on board,” she says with a chuckle. Today, Vashti lives in a house not far from her family home. 29

“The further you get along, the more you see that every little detail counts toward your success.“

I

f there was another moment when Vashti could have used her mother’s soothing presence, it was probably in Tokyo last year. (As her coach, only her father could come with her.) After a year of delays due to the pandemic, the Summer Games in Japan were not exactly normal. “It sucked,” Vashti admits. “When I go to track meets, I like to explore, take time by myself, but when we were in Tokyo, it felt like there was no freedom. It felt like we were always being watched or being accounted for.” In the Olympic Village, everything was spread out due to COVID protocols, and athletes had to walk outdoors more than usual to reach athletic facilities and the dining hall. “I remember after the prelims thinking, ‘My legs are dead because I’m doing all this walking.’ I had to tell myself it was a nonfactor. ‘I’m still going to practice, and I’m still training.’ But it got in my head a little bit.” In competition, Vashti cleared 1.96 meters but failed to clear 1.98. She ended up tying for sixth place. Mariya Lasitskene of the Russian Olympic Committee won gold after clearing 2.04 meters. Australian Nicola McDermott took silver (2.02 m), and Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh got bronze (2.00 m). Her father told her how proud he was, how she had improved seven spots from Rio and how next time she’ll make the medal stand. Afterward, he told a reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “At that time, she’s trying to take everything through her mind, the disappointment of not winning gold, but at the same time emotionally trying to figure out how to get better, what could she have changed. So I give her time, and I just love on her, hug her.” But Vashti felt defeated. “My dad was trying to encourage me in so many ways. I was like, ‘Dad, it doesn’t matter. Nothing that you’re saying to me right now matters because I didn’t execute.’ ” After the final, she immediately had to go to drug testing and then back to her room, where she cried herself to sleep. Now she would have to wait months before she would jump in competition again, and even longer before she would compete against the women who made the medal stand. It’s been well documented that as part of his successful but unconventional training strategy, her father, Randall, limits how much Vashti jumps, both in practice and in the number of meets she competes in every year. Instead, he focuses on strength and speed training, using a lot of the techniques he picked up during his time in the NFL. By putting a cap on how much Vashti jumps, Randall is also keeping her body fresh in the days leading up to an event and reducing the risk of injury, which is a serious concern. During his senior year at USC, her brother, Randall II, broke his leg when he decided to attempt the highest college jump in more than a decade. The footage is excruciating to watch. As he plants his left foot his tibia snaps, and he falls back on the mat, clutching 31

“Regardless of what happens, I know I’ll always have a support community that I can be with and be happy.” his face in pain. The break required surgery, and it forced a major setback on his own desire to become a professional high jumper. Today, he still trains with his sister, he’s the athletic director at their church, and he recently got married. The level of strain high jumping puts on an athlete’s body is intense, especially on the neck and back. “Every time I leave a competition, I have no range of motion,” Vashti says. “I can’t look behind me on either side. My back and neck get so tight because you’re repeatedly landing on your neck.” And the surface they land on isn’t exactly a pile of marshmallows. “They’ll bring in brand-new mats for big events, and it’s like jumping onto a rock because they’ve never been broken in before,” she adds. Except for the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Vashti does not compete in the Diamond League— the most prestigious series of track and field events, held largely in Europe—but most of the world’s best high jumpers do. Instead, she only sees them at World Championships or the Olympics. So why doesn’t Vashti go head-to-head with her main competition more often? Does it have something to do with the limits of her father’s training strategy? “It’s more the fact that we get a certain amount of prize money going over to the Diamond League,” Vashti explains. In fact, the prize money is peanuts. At a Diamond League meet, first-place winners get $10,000, second place $6,000 and third place $3,500. If you place eighth, you get just $500. When you factor in the cost of a transatlantic flight and a long hotel stay to acclimate to the time difference, it just doesn’t seem worth it. Athletes who live in the Eastern Hemisphere have a clear advantage. “We’re expected to go over there to train and compete but also pay for our own living and transportation,” Vashti says. “But it takes a certain amount of time for your body to adjust to new time zones. Right now, the prize money is not enough for the traveling.” This past March, Vashti chose not to travel to Belgrade, the Serbian capital, for the World Indoor Championships. She was considering it, but the organizing body, World Athletics, told her that personal coaches weren’t allowed and all athletes would need to remain in a COVID bubble. So Vashti and her training partner and close friend, Jelena Rowe, who also is coached by her father, didn’t go. Because of the war in Ukraine, World Athletics has banned all Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing for the foreseeable future, which meant that Tokyo gold medalist Mariya Lasitskene wasn’t present either. After fleeing her native Ukraine by car three days earlier, Tokyo bronze medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh won gold in Belgrade after clearing a height of 2.02 meters. “It’s a gold medal for all Ukrainian people,” she told reporters after an emotional win. She’s now training in Germany. “That was such a victory,” Vashti says of Mahuchikh. “And I’m so happy she did that.” 32

Now, with the outdoor season looming, Vashti is focused on the nationals in June and the worlds in July. “I’m so excited that the World Championships are going to be on U.S. soil,” she says. “We’ll finally be at an advantage of being at home.” With a personal best of 2.02 meters—the same height that Mahuchikh cleared in Belgrade—she has a real shot at gold again. “I’m ready to try and go higher,” she says. It’s worth noting that her personal record came at a moment when she felt ready. In May 2021 at the Chula Vista Field Fest in Southern California, Vashti already had the win clinched, and the initial push to raise the bar to 2.02 meters didn’t come from her father. But she told him she wanted to go for it and he gave her his approval. And then she cleared it. “Sometimes I have to show him that I want to challenge myself, because he really tries to look out for my body and my health,” Vashti says. “There are times when, if I’ve won a meet already, he’ll want me to shut it down. I think I got comfortable doing that instead of pushing myself, so that was one of those moments where I decided it was time for me to push myself.”

B

ack in Santa Monica, Vashti is testing the trampoline with a series of smaller jumps. Time is running out to capture a cover shot. The goal is to have her jump up and down to get some air and then land on her back while the camera catches her on the rebound. But as an experienced high jumper, she doesn’t want to land on her back. She fully comprehends the risks, and this reporter does not want to be one of the people responsible for injuring a world-class athlete. The problem word here is “back.” Back means spine and neck, all the spots that tense up in Vashti’s body when she competes. “Land on your butt,” I suggest. “Butt,” it turns out, is the magic word. Landing on your butt is less scary; there’s a bit of extra padding on the rebound. “Exactly,” Vashti confirms later with a little laugh. Before long, she isn’t bouncing on the trampoline— she’s floating. Her movements are so graceful it looks like she could drift into the sky, a celestial being soaring toward the heavens. As she reaches for new heights, Vashti Cunningham credits her biggest support system: her family. “I know there’s never going to be a moment where I can’t turn to one of them and have them encourage or love me,” she says. “I feel like I’m going to be good for life, regardless of what happens, because at the end of the day, I know I’ll always have a home base and a support community that I can be with and be happy. I can just be with my family at the house and be happy. Jelena and I are always talking about if there were a zombie apocalypse. I’m just like, ‘We’re good. Our unit is good.’ ” And with her whole unit supporting her in Eugene at the World Championships, their love might lift her higher than ever before. THE RED BULLETIN

Finding balance: Cunningham says the support of her family and her creative pursuits—fashion, photography, painting—help her handle the mental strain of doing an individual sport.

Above and Beyond Three-quarters of a second: That’s all it took for hurdler Karsten Warholm to redefine the cutting edge of human athleticism. But once you’ve gone further than anyone thought possible, where do you go next? Words RICHARD EDWARDS

Photography SANDRO BAEBLER

Leaping giant: Karsten Warholm, photographed for The Red Bulletin at Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway, in April.

35

Restricted view: A COVID-limited crowd of 5,000 watched from these seats last July as Warholm took the world record.

“I’m obsessed with excellence. How can you push the limits?”

T

aking gold at the Tokyo Olympics introduced Karsten Warholm to a global audience. But, almost a year on from a performance in the 400-meter hurdles so explosive it shattered the world record and earned him the title of 2021 Male World Athlete of the Year at the World Athletics Awards, he says it could have gone better. “It was a bit embarrassing, actually—it took me two goes to rip my top,” the 26-year-old Norwegian recalls of his impulsive, chestexposing victory celebration, beamed to viewers across the world. “There I was, trying to be Superman, and I couldn’t even tear my own costume.” Warholm is speaking to The Red Bulletin in the basement of the fabled Bislett Stadium in Norway’s capital, Oslo. The venue is steeped in athletics history, and its running circuit is dubbed the “world record track” for good reason: It has routinely played host to some of the greatest middle-distance races in an annual competition known as the “Dream Mile.” Here, in 1980, British runner Steve Ovett broke the world record for the mile; fellow Brit Steve Cram followed suit in 1985, setting a global best that would stand for eight years. In 1990, Czech athlete Jan Zelezny surpassed the javelin world record by such a distance he almost sent it flying into the crowd. And in July 2021, at the Bislett Games,

THE RED BULLETIN

Warholm beat U.S. hurdler Kevin Young’s 400-meter world record of 46.78 seconds, shaving 0.08 seconds off a benchmark that had stood for 29 years. Warholm’s record would not last so long: Just 33 days later, in Tokyo, he obliterated it himself. Even before the gun had sounded on that sundrenched afternoon of August 3, 2021, in the Japan National Stadium, there was a sense that something special was eminently possible. It was arguably the greatest field of 400-meter hurdlers ever assembled, with the world champion (Warholm) lining up alongside the U.S. champion (Rai Benjamin) and the South American champion (Alison dos Santos of Brazil)—three of the four fastest competitors of all time (the fourth being previous record holder, Young). Add Commonwealth champion Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands and the race had all the ingredients to deliver one of the greatest athletics finals over any distance in Olympic history. One of Warholm’s final acts before the race started was to slap his thighs in a manner that suggested he was ready. Benjamin, his great rival, looked on impassively. What happened next exceeded even the wildest predictions, as the Norwegian broke the 46-second barrier to claim gold with a time of 45.94s—0.76 seconds quicker than his previous record—leaving track and field convention scattered in tiny pieces all over the 37

Mexico City—adding 55 centimeters (21.6 inches) to the previous record—or Usain Bolt’s incredible 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. The latter, which stands to this day, shed more than a tenth of a second off Bolt’s previous record—the largest-ever gain in the 100 meters since electronic timing began. As a reminder, Warholm sliced more than three-quarters of a second off his world record. The problem for the Norwegian is that he’s set an impossibly high bar. Welsh former 110m hurdling world champion Colin Jackson stated afterward that he was “pretty sure [Warholm’s] world record will outlive me.” He’s 55. Warholm himself called it the closest he’s ever come to “the perfect race.” So, what’s next? With back-to-back World and European Championships arriving this summer, the answer is … a reckoning.

I Mutual respect: Warholm and his coach and mentor, Leif Olav Alnes, have a genuine camaraderie.

stadium, which, regrettably, was almost entirely empty as a result of the pandemic. Benjamin and Dos Santos, in second and third respectively, both recorded times that would have been the quickest in history just five weeks earlier. “That was something else, wasn’t it?” smiles Warholm. “I was looking at the clock, thinking, ‘This must be wrong.’ But if you watch the race back, it almost looks like it’s in fast-forward. If you compare it to other races, it just looks quicker. “I think a number of factors were in play. First, it’s the competition and tension of the Olympics. But it was also warm and it’s a good track, a fast track. When you get to the finish line, you know if it’s been a good race—that’s the same whether it’s the Olympics or any other meeting. I knew it had been a good race, but I didn’t know it was going to be sub-46 seconds, because that’s crazy. That just doesn’t happen.” He’s not wrong. It’s worth remembering that until 1948 no athlete had run 400 meters in less than 46 seconds, even without the additional complication of hurdles. You could argue that, in athletics history, the only feats comparable to what Warholm achieved that day are U.S. long-jumper Bob Beamon’s leap of 8.90 meters (29.2 feet) at the 1968 Olympics in 38

t’s a cold Saturday in April on the warm-up track snaking around Bislett’s basement, and Warholm will soon be entering “cold storage”—total isolation from the media and other distractions so he can focus on the impending challenges that could define his career. But, for now, a double-door entrance to the main outside track is ajar, allowing a cool Norwegian breeze to enter an area that’s very much a home from home for the hurdler. The two-lane 400m course—itself the brainchild of Warholm’s coach and mentor, Leif Olav Alnes —appears to be a weekend magnet for men and women of all ages and abilities. Alongside the stretch of track occupied by Warholm and his coach today is a short sprint course where teenagers are being put through their paces. One is running while dragging an enormous weight; another, recovering from injury, is on a scooter, keeping pace with her teammates on two wheels. All would doubtless love to be the next Warholm, but most are happy to just run past the famous athlete and let him go about his business. “People in Norway are pretty respectful,” he says. “If I was out in Oslo, then sure, people would probably know who I was, but they wouldn’t bother me.” Warholm is an unlikely track icon. Born in the harbor town of Ulsteinvik on Hareidlandet, an island on Norway’s west coast, his was a family with no great sporting pedigree. His father played soccer, but worked as an electrical engineer in the maritime industry. Warholm, it seems, ran himself into history almost entirely by accident.

“I like the tension, the nerves . . . there’s so much pressure on me to perform.” THE RED BULLETIN

Duel focus: Two big dates loom for Warholm—the World Championships in July, then August’s European showdown.

THE RED BULLETIN

39

“I’ve learned that more is possible than you think.” Clear advantage: Warholm displays the wellhoned hurdling technique that has made the Norwegian a world-beater.

41

Stretching himself: Warholm says that competing in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 400-meter sprint is tough on his body.

“My friend took me to a race that was held around the town’s houses,” he says. “It was only something like 300 meters, and we were very young, probably 6 or 7. I ran in my jeans and an oversized T-shirt, but I won the race. That was probably the first time I had ever really run; it was the start of it all, I guess. But I was always quick and had a lot of guts. It was just fun. I loved it.” In many ways, nothing much has changed. If there’s one thing that sets Warholm apart from everyone else on the track, it’s that he looks like he’s having the time of his life every time he runs, the motivation that dragged his younger self 42

around in jeans and a T-shirt now powering him onto a different plane entirely. “It’s a passion for me,” he says. “But not a passion just for the 400-meter hurdles—it could be the 100 meters or 800 meters. It’s more about feeling motivated to get better at something, making the most of everything I’ve got. I never had parents pushing me. Yes, they made sure I went to training, but I was always driving myself. I’m obsessed with excellence. How can you push the limits?” Despite all the attention he’s attracted since hotfooting his way into athletic folklore, Warholm is as grounded an athlete as you’re likely to meet. THE RED BULLETIN

“I ran my first race aged 6, in jeans and an oversized T-shirt, but I won.”

His mom is now his manager, and he speaks to Alnes every day. Warholm says that if his coach retired or walked away from the sport, then he would too, such is the strength of the bond that has carried him so far in such a short space of time. Always ready with a one-liner, Alnes is as instantly recognizable as Warholm in their home country, not least because in 2020 they both appeared in a local fly-on-the-wall TV series titled Karsten og Leif (Karsten and Leif). The show has become something of a cult hit, with the pair’s antics shining a light on one of modern sport’s great double acts. They share the same sense of humor THE RED BULLETIN

and the burning desire to push the boundaries of what is possible. And, like his protégé, a smile is rarely far from the face of the diminutive and bespectacled mentor. A former sprinter himself, Alnes previously coached Norwegian track stars such as Geir Moen, a European and World Indoor Champion in the mid’90s. His athlete-coach relationship with Warholm is as close as any, but their partnership owes as much to chance and inclement weather as to athletic ability. “A member of the Norwegian Athletics Association recommended that I go and have a chat with this young guy who was doing decathlon at the time, because he thought we’d be a perfect fit,” recalls Alnes, sitting in one of the distinctive green seats in the Bislett stands as a succession of runners are put through their paces on the outdoor track. “I went to see him and there was a terrible storm, delaying my plane, so I ended up staying the night. We spoke, and after a few minutes I felt we could do this. “I want to do some boy’s things before I die— some diving, shooting. When you’re a professional coach, you don’t get to do much of it. I was semiretired, but I was looking for the last dance. Karsten said that if I could come two days a week, that would be fine. I said no. I told him that if he was going to do it, he was going to do it right.” Not for the last time in their near seven-year partnership, Alnes was proven correct. Within a year, a 20-year-old Warholm was competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics. In his first qualifying round, he beat the Norwegian 400m hurdles national record in a comparatively modest 48.49 seconds. In the semifinal, he finished fourth, missing out on a place in the final. “When he started, he could only go over [the hurdles] with his left leg in front,” says Alnes. “We designed a race where he only used that one. Now, we don’t talk about one good foot and one bad foot, we talk about gold and silver. They’re both good, but one is better.”

B

y the time 2017 dawned, Warholm had only one medal color on his mind. At London’s Olympic Stadium, the Scandinavian held off the challenge of Yasmani Copello of Turkey and American Kerron Clement to claim his first World Championship gold. He celebrated by donning a Viking helmet during his victory lap, eventually collapsing in the long-jump pit and asking a Reuters photographer to pinch him to ensure he wasn’t 43

dreaming. He kept his headgear on for his postrace interview, much to the delight of the assembled press. Warholm, it’s clear, is not a man to celebrate his triumphs discreetly. “I never plan how I celebrate, because I never take wins for granted,” he says. “There are so many mixed emotions when you cross the finish line first: relief, happiness, euphoria—that’s when you do these stupid things. When I crossed that finish line in Tokyo, I had so much energy that I needed to burn it off. It was pure joy.” Warholm’s energy is infectious. Outside Bislett Stadium, as the sun gets lower in the sky, the number of runners doing 400-meter circuits thins out as the temperature drops. But inside, the longer Warholm stays on the warm-up track, the greater the speeds of those aspiring to emulate him. He climbs into the stands to have some pictures taken, surveying the stadium where he received such acclaim last summer. “That almost felt like destiny,” he says. “We had this perfect scenario: Leif and I were dreaming about first beating the world record in front of a home crowd [at the Bislett Games in July], then we wanted to beat it in Monaco [Diamond League 2021, just over a week later], and then again in Tokyo [at the Olympics, three weeks later]. It almost happened, but not quite.” Warholm merely won in Monaco, setting a track-meet record. Two out of three ain’t bad. Having torn up the record books, he now faces the pressure of running just as fast every time he sets foot on a track—starting at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, this July. There he will resume his rivalry—perhaps the greatest in any sport right now—with Rai Benjamin, son of former West Indies cricketer Winston Benjamin and a man who, were it not for Warholm, would likely be hailed as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time. In that same race in Tokyo last year, Benjamin finished in 46.17 seconds—a staggering half a second faster than Warholm’s 29-year-record shatterer from a month earlier, but merely second best in this race. The Wall Street Journal called Benjamin “the American who broke a world record and lost.” At least for now, he’s the warm-up act for the flying Norwegian. “It’s a friendly rivalry,” says Warholm. “We don’t speak that often—we live in different time zones, in different places—but there’s a lot of respect there. We both compete at a level where we know how much it takes to be there, but we still want to beat each other. He’s never beaten me—he’s probably sick and tired of me, and I can understand why. Everybody wants to win. He’s a great athlete and he’s been giving me the hardest battles for medals. When he competes against me, I need to be on my toes. If not, I’ll lose.” That’s not a feeling Warholm has been familiar with for some time. And not one he’s looking to reacquaint himself with, either in Oregon or at the European Championships in Munich in August. 44

“There I was, trying to be Superman, and I couldn’t even tear my costume.” “I haven’t lost a race since 2018,” he ruminates, referencing his third-place finish at the Continental Cup in the Czech Republic in September of that year. “But people really want to beat me now. This is the thing I have to fight with all the time.” In a sport where peaking at the right time is an art form, Warholm knows the margin for error is minuscule. “I don’t think I’m necessarily that much faster than the other guys, but I make sure that I’m just as good as them,” he says. He’s also in an occupation where performance technology can serve up fractional advantages. After Tokyo, Warholm commented on the current wave of “super spike” shoes worn by Nike athletes, which have soles that contain highly responsive, energy-returning Pebax THE RED BULLETIN

A

Looking ripped: Warholm reenacts his shirt-wrecking celebration from last year’s Tokyo Olympics—and nails it on the first attempt this time. THE RED BULLETIN

foam. “If you put a trampoline [in the shoe], I think it’s bullshit,” he stated at the time. Notably, Benjamin is a Nike athlete. Today, Warholm—who wears Puma spikes that were co-developed by the Mercedes F1 team and don’t feature Pebax—is a little more reserved. “I’ve probably said enough on this already” is all he offers, although Alnes interjects, “It shouldn’t be about how good your shoe is. If I had my way, the athletes would run with no shoes.” Warholm isn’t losing sleep over the things he can’t control. You might even say he revels in it. “I like the tension, the nerves. I have to fight all these thoughts, because there’s so much pressure on me to perform. But the good thing is that I’m the one applying the most pressure, I have the biggest expectations. So when it’s not working out, I’m disappointing myself the most. “Then it comes down to the starting line and it’s a question of who fucks it up and who doesn’t. I look forward to being in my best shape and performing, because that’s what I do. The day I don’t look forward to performing against the best is probably the day that I won’t be able to run the sort of times I run now. It will definitely be on in Eugene.”

s Warholm begins packing his bag to leave the stadium, those around him joke about the mess he’s created. He laughs, too. He laughs a lot. There’s a sense of mischief that’s almost the direct antithesis of his dedication to training. So, is it his mental strength or physical abilities that make Warholm the best in his field? Or is the answer a lot simpler than that? “Einstein said something really smart once,” says Alnes. “He said, ‘If you can’t explain something simply, are you sure that you understand it well enough?’ “When I started, people told me that I didn’t know 400-meter hurdles. I said, ‘You don’t need to, you just have to run one lap of the track fast.’ Of course, the hurdles aren’t going to make you any faster, so if you want to do it quickly you have to lose as little time as possible over the 10 obstacles.” Simple. Perhaps the biggest question for Warholm moving forward relates to that first point. Given his ability to run so fast between the hurdles, would it one day be possible for him to achieve something that no other athlete in history has managed—a World or Olympic title in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 400-meter dash? “That’s a lot of lactic [acid],” he muses. “It’s three rounds in each at a world-class level. I doubled up in the European champs in Berlin [in 2018] and it didn’t go too well—the hurdles were OK, but I was hammered after that.” Competing back-to-back for four days, Warholm took gold in the 400-meter hurdles, but finished eighth and last in the 400-meter dash. “There’s almost no break, and it’s very tough for the body to handle,” he admits, his aura of invulnerability momentarily fading. “If I decided to go with just the flat, that’d be more realistic. Also, when I’ve delivered the results that I have in 400m hurdles, it’s difficult to live up to the same standards in another event. People expect that I can do 42 [seconds] in the 400-meter dash, but I can’t. It’s a different thing. What I’ve learned in my career, though, is that more things are possible than you believe.” Whatever happens, Warholm will only be around for us to enjoy for as long as his coach is, and while Alnes is spritely and effervescent, he turned 65 this January. “If he stops tomorrow, then I stop tomorrow,” says Warholm. “I think it would be possible for us to push the limits for a long time, but when this thing is gone, the magic is gone, and then there’s no point.” Not that Warholm needs all of his coach. Whenever Alnes says that he’s off on holiday or doing any activity that could be remotely dangerous, the young hurdler always tells him to wear a helmet. “We only need his brain,” says Warholm, before coach and athlete dissolve into laughter again. The magic is still alive. And long may it continue. Instagram: @kwarholm 45

Energy boost: This route, known as Powerline Road, was first discovered by a team from Nike in 2019.

Staying Power Unsanctioned, unhinged, underground and off the grid. On the road with the Speed Project, the rebel running race that few know about, fewer compete in and no entrant ever forgets. Words TOM WARD

Photography JIM KRANTZ

Drone pilot BLAKE WOKEN

47

I

t began with a rumor. About an underground footrace, starting at the Santa Monica beachfront and finishing in Las Vegas. A race without sponsors, without rules, without even a website. Where no spectators are allowed and there’s no purse at the end. And yet it attracts some of the world’s best athletes, drawn by the promise of a unique trial of pace and perseverance. That rumor led to a name—the Speed Project, a moniker coined by the founder of the race, Nils Arend—and eventually to a call. “There’s a raw beauty in the idea of traveling somewhere on foot, running from one place to another, versus doing a community 10K and getting a free T-shirt at the end,” Arend told The Red Bulletin over the phone at the start of 2020, back when he was busy planning that year’s Speed Project. That was back when the world was a different place. The seed of the idea came to the slender, often mohawked, 42-year-old Hamburg-to-L.A. transplant in 2013. “For me, running is grounded in some sort of competitiveness,” Arend explained. “If you look at the running-event landscape, there are the serious, high-performance, competitive races, or the opposite where people dress up in costumes and drink along the way. Neither appealed to me.” He shared the idea with U.S. marathon-running legend Blue Benadum, who insisted that this competition be about speed. “We wanted a twist,” said Arend. So it became a relay race—no rest stops, no fancy hotels, just the runners supporting themselves with accompanying RVs. “We put our heads down and race as hard as we can without letting go, almost like pit bulls.” They pioneered a route from the Santa Monica Pier to the Las Vegas welcome sign—a relentless 340-mile route that climbs through Hollywood and then the Antelope Valley, then cruises past a massive airplane graveyard at the edge of the Mojave Desert and the Inland Empire city of Barstow, through the remote town of Baker (population: 541) and skirting the edges of Death Valley National Park, then on to a short segment of the Old Spanish Trail and finally Nevada SR160 into Vegas.

48

THE RED BULLETIN

Runners can deviate from the “OG route” in any way they please, with one condition: “No freeways.”

Into the unknown: Runners set off on a fog-filled morning in Santa Monica; (opposite) a team lines up for the start.

THE RED BULLETIN

49

This would become known as the “OG route”—the Speed Project’s most popular path—but it’s only a guideline. Teams can deviate in any way they please, with one condition: “No freeways.” Likewise, there are no fixed relay handoff points, no rules on how far each of the six crew members must run, or how many times they can be subbed back into the race. A map is emailed out in advance, breaking down the OG route into 39 segments ranging in length from 4 miles to 48 miles. Most are around 6 miles. How the runners tackle these sections is up to them. Typically, they use the 6-mile markers as an opportunity to pass the metaphorical baton. But if they need to make up time they might do half a section each, or just a couple of hundred yards per person on the final frantic sprint into Vegas. In the years following its inception, the Speed Project’s reputation grew, but its DIY ethos remained. Today, there’s still no website, no invite and minimal coverage in the mainstream press. In 2020, after sounding us out on the phone, Arend agreed to let The Red Bulletin tag along. You know the rest. Pandemic. Plans on hold. Then, in early 2022, another phone call. The message was simple: “Get to L.A.”

The Chilean

The fog rolling in off the Pacific lends an eerie hue to Santa Monica Pier at 3:30 a.m. on this late March morning. The low hum of music and laughter is audible as RV lights burn through the mist, silhouetting the figures of scores of athletes. Three hundred participants—grouped into 55 teams—have traveled here from as far afield as Europe and South America for this, the seventh Speed Project. One of them is Max Keith. The 33-year-old from Chile’s capital, Santiago, has been running trails his whole life. Today he’s here as part of the Maffetones Club, a Chilean team following the teachings of sports guru (and singersongwriter) Dr. Phil Maffetone, whose “method of moderate running” advocates a low-heart-rate marathon plan; the idea being that the slower your heart, the more efficiently your body draws energy. Instead of sugar, your body burns fat, and you don’t “bonk” or “hit the wall.” Last year, when COVID halted sporting events, the Speed Project organized a DIY race, asking teams to run the longest relay they could, wherever they were, 50

“When you realize you’re able to cover distances at pace, it gets addictive.” THE RED BULLETIN

Making light work: (left) A competitor heads out of L.A. at sunrise on Friday; (opposite) Max Keith at the start.

in 31 hours and 15 minutes (the course record, set in 2019). The Maffetones covered 264 miles of the Atacama Desert, ranking them in the top 10 of more than 160 teams. With temperatures as high as 104°F in the day, and dropping to below freezing at night, it was also the perfect proving ground for the searing plains of Death Valley. As the 4 a.m. start approaches, the countdown begins, and then they’re off—55 runners, one from each of the six-person teams. Some are in flashing vests and neon gear, some wearing THE RED BULLETIN

headlamps, others in ordinary running gear, all disappearing in different directions, intent on finding the fastest route out of the city. Most dart down Santa Monica Boulevard, while the team RVs roll out into the night like a herd of migrating elephants. Understanding the importance of these early moments of the race, the Maffetones have planned out a 4-mile shortcut that heads directly to the hills north of the city. Instead of the usual 6-mile handovers, they’ve put their fastest runners into 1.8-mile sprints to cement their head start.

Keith is one of them. This focus on speed over pace is a new challenge for him, but after years of lockdown he has a renewed appreciation for being out here, opening up his stride and pushing hard. “When you realize you’re able to cover distances at pace, it gets addictive,” he says. “You get this feeling of freedom. You’re focused on your form, motion, steps, how you’re breathing—you’re hyperaware of your surroundings. The more in tune you are with yourself, the wilder the experience gets. The more speed you can achieve, the more intense the experience.” 51

section. “I’m super excited,” he says, the energy inside the Maffetones’ RV akin to an airborne sugar rush. “I feel good because I have to. We’re only two hours in.” There’s a long race ahead, but for Keith right now it’s about tackling the rice and burritos, and the cold brew and energy drinks in the RV’s fridge, rebuilding his strength until it’s his turn to run again. With no breaks, it’s all about staving off injury and fatigue. For when the team reaches Death Valley there will be a single cold beer to be shared among them. By that point, they may need it.

The latecomer

Born to run: (top) Mexican athlete Alex Roudayna; (above) a Maffetones handover in action.

“We’re all part of a community and you just understand each other with a nod.” 52

At 4:22 a.m., a message in the group WhatsApp warns of a man waiting with a plank behind a turn in the road. At 5:16, the first racers puff uphill past the famed Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard. By 5:53, the front runners have left most of the crowd behind. At 6:10 a.m., half an hour before dawn, the Maffetones are 8 miles ahead of the rest. At 6:41 a.m., the sun begins to rise over the hills of the sprawling San Fernando Valley on the northern side of L.A. Four team members swapped out the first 20 miles in 1.8-mile stretches, hitting a top pace of 5 minutes and 28 seconds per mile before subbing in their hill runners for fresh legs on the uphill climbs. Shortly after, on a winding stretch of hillside, Keith sprints to finish his fourth

Alex Roudayna didn’t expect to be running in the Speed Project. At 32, the ultrarunner from Mexico City has been competing since 2013, but it was only last year that a friend suggested she apply for a place on the international women’s team being put together by ON Running—one of two teams sponsored by the sports apparel brand, and one of five teams in the race made up entirely of women. Usually averse to pitching herself in such scenarios, this time Roudayna went for it, won a place and met her teammates for the first time near LAX just 12 hours before the race began. By midmorning, it’s 70° in Soledad Canyon—the ninth section of the OG route, and Roudayna’s second of the race. Halfway between the edge of the suburbs and the desert, the buzz of L.A. has been left behind for long roads with only the occasional campground and distant passenger train to break up the monotony. As the heat haze rises from the pavement, Roudayna is easy to spot, even from a distance, thanks to her dyed green hair. Moving at a rapid pace, she’s soon swapping legs with her waiting teammate. In the build-up to the Speed Project, Roudayna had been running a lot. One of her recent achievements was 11th place in the USA Track & Field 100 Mile Road National Championship in Nevada in February, something she says she undertook mainly to gauge her speed. Most days, she trains eight to 10 hours. As someone with Asperger’s, Roudayna explains that “nothing really makes a lot of sense socially to me,” but that when she’s running she can stay in her own head without the need to talk to others. “We’re all part of a community and you just understand each other with a nod,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what you’re going through or where you come from.” THE RED BULLETIN

Route force: Speed Project runners pound the tarmac in the open landscapes outside L.A. (top) and Death Valley (above). THE RED BULLETIN

53

Good to glow: Two members of Team Lululemon approach Barstow, undeterred by aggressive truck drivers and wild dogs.

As she finishes her section, sweat covering her tattooed arms, Roudayna looks tired, but she bounces excitedly on the spot. “I’m not looking forward to a break,” she says. “I want to keep going!” Despite only lately becoming acquainted with her teammates, Roudayna has fitted comfortably into the dynamic, especially when it comes to pushing harder and faster. “If they tell me to run fast, I run fast,” she laughs. “It’s not easy, but once you hit the pain cave it’s groove time.” It’s clearly working: The team are ahead of schedule and one of the most promising in the competition. Seven hours into a possible 40-hour race, optimism and adrenaline are running high. Heading into the RV for recovery and a cold drink, Roudayna offers some parting thoughts. “It’s just about seeing how far I can go and what’s possible. The goal is to give it all. Even if we fall short, it’s about knowing we died on the line.”

snowcapped San Gabriel Mountains and, in this dry landscape, roadside reservoirs feed water to L.A. Drivers along the route are by now used to the sight of lone runners trailed by RVs bearing taped-on messages like “Todo es mental [Everything is mental],” “Wish you were running” and, simply, “Grit.” An empty lot on a desert crossroads forms a natural meeting point for teams.

The power line

As the day progresses, the race reels out into desert proper. Here, the route is marked by mines and concrete factories; rundown towns with buildings like dusty shoeboxes. In the distance stand the 54

Team Brand-it: Self-confessed “pace junkie” Kam Casey in his RV (note the custom socks).

There’s a vendor selling orange juice from a cart. Another is offering vivid religious portraits from Mexico. One runner, stripped to his shorts, reclines in a large cooler full of ice water in the bed of his team’s truck. Others shelter under the shade of a single palo verde tree. At 2:13 p.m., a message comes through that one of the runners, Tilly, has lost her crew. It’s now 79°, and fatigue has begun to bake the desert runners. The wind picks up. Tensions are frayed as one team accidentally clips the wing mirror of another’s RV. In the group chat, there are warnings of stray dogs chasing runners. This is common enough that, in 2018, Team Hunter carried pepper spray as a precaution against enthusiastic canines; luckily, they didn’t have to use it. By 2:30 p.m., Tilly has been reunited with her team. On El Mirage Road, a redhaired woman appears on a black horse and gallops alongside the runners, sending up clouds of desert dust. Beyond El Mirage, one group is trying something different. An old 94-mile service road— the aptly named Powerline Road—runs between transmission towers. The route was discovered ahead of the 2019 race THE RED BULLETIN

Going the distance: Londoner Angela Tomusange, still far from Barstow on Friday evening.

by a team from Nike, who had been desperately scouting for new ways to beat their rivals, Team Adidas. It worked—Nike won, Adidas came in second. It’s here that Kam Casey finds himself on this hot Saturday afternoon in 2022. Tall and wiry, with a buzzed haircut and a way of speaking in soundbites that suggests media training, the 29-year-old Indianapolis native, now based in L.A., could surely make a career out of wearing clothes on Instagram if the running thing doesn’t work out. Indeed, the day before the race, when all the teams met up, Casey and his crew—Team Bandit—were hanging out on top of their RV in matching black velour tracksuits and shades. It’s clear they’re here to make an impression, and look stylish while doing it. Which isn’t to say they’re not dedicated to the cause. Drawing inspiration from Nike’s discovery, Bandit scouted the route for three months, poring over satellite imagery before concluding that the Powerline route would bring them in at 288 miles—52 less than the OG runners. Before the Speed Project came along, self-confessed “pace junkie” Casey had THE RED BULLETIN

The race has no website, no invite and minimal mainstream press coverage. been struggling. A 2:30 marathon runner, he hadn’t run one since the start of COVID, and his last attempt had been aborted midrace when, he says, his body gave up on him. “I was losing control of my emotions; on the verge of tears in the middle of running,” Casey recalls. “I couldn’t make sense of it. It was mentally very tough.” It dented Casey’s confidence. He knew he could do better. The Speed Project is many things to many people; for Casey it’s a chance at redemption. Emerging in the heat haze, flanked by twin rows of power lines, Casey looks strong. His L.A. move has helped him acclimate to the heat, but the ground underfoot is unforgiving. Sharp downhills lead into long uphills lead into rolling ups

and downs without respite. But, running 4:49-minute miles, with a few 4:20s thrown in, Casey feels confident that Bandit have everything to play for. As afternoon slides into evening, they’re just a few fast relays behind the leaders.

The long slog

Speed, of course, is relative. The Speed Project’s 2019 winners, Team Nike, completed the race in 31 hours, 15 minutes—that’s very fast, averaging 9.3 mph. But while Casey and the front runners are tactically analyzing shortcuts to reduce that time even further, for others finishing at all is achievement enough. Five hours behind Bandit, the Black Trail Runners, a team from the U.K., are doggedly pounding on. Angela Tomusange, a Londoner of Ugandan heritage, began the race feeling nervous. “[In the running scene] I don’t see a lot of people who look like me,” she says. “Black Trail Runners appealed to me because I want to inspire others to take it up.” At 40, she’s somewhat older than the Speed Project’s average runner age (mid-20s), but Tomusange applied as a fresh challenge, to prove that anyone can compete alongside some of the world’s 55

“Even if we fall short, it’s about knowing we died on the line.”

On the road again: A runner braves the area near Death Valley just after sunrise, with his teammates nearby.

Viva Las Vegas: Team Bandit (with Kam Casey in black, center) celebrate at the finish line.

best runners, even if it means traveling 5,500 miles across the Atlantic and the breadth of North America to do it. She prepared by training on hills in and around London, but London isn’t the Mojave, and the going here is tough. On her third relay section, Tomusange finally finds her rhythm, but by the first evening of the first day—and with the fastest teams expecting to finish just after dawn the next day—it’s clear that the Black Trail Runners are in it for the long haul. Unacclimatized to the desert heat, they’re slowing down. Add a change of plans to help an injured teammate rest up, and the U.K. team is feeling the strain. As the race stretches into night, the fatigue is evident to all the runners. Most are on the outskirts of Barstow, running along deserted sandy roads. For Tomusange, the cool night air offers a welcome respite and, fears of encounters with wolves or mountain lions aside, she’s beginning to enjoy herself. “I’m going with the flow,” she says. “It’s a nice experience. I’ve got used to running in the dark with our RV in the distance.” After a long night, the dawn casts a blue light over the yellow sage flowers around Death Valley. A national park, the desert here is pristine and protected— different from many scrappy stretches between L.A. and Barstow. Not far from here Charles Manson and his followers set up shop in the abandoned Barker Ranch in the late 1960s. And the area’s last gold prospector, Seldom Seen Slim, lived alone THE RED BULLETIN

in the empty town of Ballarat before his death in 1968. It was near here that the drugs kicked in and Hunter S. Thompson hallucinated bats shrieking low around his Great Red Shark convertible, as detailed in the opening paragraphs of his 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. For Tomusange and crew, the new day brings nothing sinister. They run the sun up just before the park entrance. A chance encounter with another team at a gas station in the night has spurred them on. But Vegas is still roughly 150 miles away, and in Vegas the lucky front runners are about to cross the finish line.

The finish

About 40 miles from the Vegas sign, and the Bandits aren’t doing so good. With rumors that Team ON Running was in the lead, the Bandits chanced an unknown path, heading off-road over sand and rock—in the middle of the night. The gamble didn’t pay off. Now, surrounded by drab cookie-cutter houses that mark the desert between Death Valley and Vegas, runner Allison Lynch is having

On the group chat are warnings of stray dogs chasing runners.

trouble with her knee, and teammate Evan Schwartz’s quads are burning up. The team have no choice but to cover the remaining distance with the four remaining runners. Casey and the others dig deep. There’s a downhill slope into Vegas and they’re able to push 5:14 miles; that’s around 11.5mph—a Herculean pace after 30-something hours. At 11:34 a.m., they storm into Vegas as a team, joined by their injured runners as they finish in 31 hours, 45 minutes, taking fourth. “We went for the win and we didn’t get it, but that’s what it is,” says a proud but exhausted Casey. “You take your chances.” His Bandit vest is soaked in sweat and champagne, his Speed Project medal—a poker chip on a necklace— hanging on his chest. Having signed up to run around 50 miles, Casey estimates he has clocked at least 60. The Maffetones take eighth place, reaching Vegas in 36 hours, 24 minutes. “It was brutal,” says Keith. “We were so tired during the last climb on the highway, but we kept pushing because we wanted to finish quickly. I’m destroyed.” Roudayna’s ON Running women’s team complete the race in 42 hours, 49 minutes. Next year, she’s considering running it all by herself. Right now, though, she’s going to bed—the Vegas lights and postrace celebrations hold no allure. For Tomusange and the Black Trail Runners, the final slog became a blur. Pushing on through the desert on that first night, they ran all through Saturday and into another night and day, rotating runners every mile for the last run into Vegas, eventually completing the race in 59 hours, 30 minutes. “When we could see Vegas, it felt surreal that we were actually about to reach it,” recalls Tomusange. “It gave us that extra push. I couldn’t believe we’d done it. I took so many positives away; if someone asked me to do it again, I definitely would.” The winners are ON Running’s other team, who set a new race record of 29 hours, 26 minutes. But this journey from one place to another is as figurative as it is literal, and every runner at the finish will take away more than the poker chip around their neck. For Casey, it’s personal redemption, and perhaps he was speaking for everyone when, exhausted at the finish line, he summed it up: “We did it one by one. A mile at a time. A half mile at a time. And we never lost face.” 57

TIME TO BOUNCE

Photographer Ben Franke shares how he stumbled upon two masters of Extreme Pogo, a growing action sport where athletes soar to unimaginable heights on super sticks made of springs. Words EVELYN SPENCE

58

Photography BEN FRANKE

“We were walking around downtown Burlington and found this parking garage, and I knew the size of it would help show off just how high Henry can get,” says Franke. “Xpogo reminds me a lot of skateboarding, the way you use the urban environment to adapt your tricks, the way you make use of what you have.”

“I love capturing both sides of action sports, the extreme moves and the quieter moments,” says Franke, who shot this portrait at an abandoned highway-turnedskatepark. “Henry loves both sides, too—he pulls off these risky tricks, but he has a laid-back, skater, collegestudent vibe.”

60

THE RED BULLETIN

“The other people in this shot really give Henry’s trick—called a stick flip—a sense of scale,” says Franke of this image, taken in front of a University of Vermont library. “They’re what I call happy accidents, each one reacting in their own way, whether they’re taking a video, staring up at him or not paying any attention at all.”

L THE RED BULLETIN

ast fall, New York–based photographer Ben Franke was in Burlington, Vermont, to visit some friends when he came across Nick McClintock and Henry Cabelus, posted up on the street, working on a promotional video— with supersized adult pogo sticks. At first, Franke didn’t know he’d stumbled upon two stars of a growing sport: McClintock, 35, helped invent so-called Extreme Pogo in the 1990s and is now the co-founder of Xpogo, a company that makes films and puts on live events around the world. And Cabelus, 22, is one of pogo’s most masterful athletes. (Need proof? He holds the world record for highest straight jump, most backflips on a stick

and fewest jumps in a minute.) “I’d never even heard of Extreme Pogo before,” says Franke, who has photographed the parkour and bike-life scenes for more than a decade. “So I struck up a conversation with them and ended up running around town, shooting them for a few days.” For Franke, the challenge and beauty lay in capturing each trick at the perfect moment—and in photographing subjects without bringing in his own preconceptions. Since then, he’s watched Xpogo blow up on social media, but he’s not at all surprised. “Their culture is rad,” says Franke. “And when you take a look at what tricks these guys can do, you’ll realize that it’s completely nuts.” 61

“On our first day of shooting I was still learning what was even possible with Xpogo,” says Franke. “We walked by this cool old building on the UVM campus and it made a great background. Then Henry just did a superman, pushing the stick in front of him like a BMX rider. I thought, ‘Oh my god, I need a picture of this.’ ”

62

THE RED BULLETIN

Outside of a UVM dorm, Cabelus took off from the top of a retaining wall, threw a no-handed backflip and landed feet-down in the grass. “He’s actually wearing a helmet here,” says Franke, “because the airtime he gets is wild.”

THE RED BULLETIN

63

“It was really remarkable to randomly meet and shoot a subject who has truly invented something,” says Franke of McClintock. “Nick is a bit older, he’s a mentor, and I think that comes across in the image. Plus, the unique stickers and the texture of his stick really come across, and his hat is great.”

64

THE RED BULLETIN

“Even though this trick isn’t that risky, it captures Nick’s style and movement at the right moment,” says Franke. “For me, color can sometimes be distracting when you’re trying to capture pure action. Black-and-white can render it more clearly. All the graphic patterns of the building are pure—and his shape leads you from left to right and up the alleyway.”

THE RED BULLETIN

65

The back of the band shell in Burlington’s Battery Park had just enough height for McClintock to do a hand plant and shoot the gap. “Nick’s body fills the frame of the space exactly the way I was hoping, even the curve of the roof behind him,” says Franke. “Afterward, a woman ran up to us and told us she was worried he’d get hurt.”

66

THE RED BULLETIN

“Nick basically came up with a bunch of the core Xpogo tricks,” says Franke. “You can’t see it with the greenery behind him, but he’s up really high, and there’s nothing attaching his foot to the stick. I love how he’s expressing his creativity in the air.”

THE RED BULLETIN

67

68

“After an overcast afternoon, the light changed, so we went down to Lake Champlain and found this little wall,” says Franke. “The black-and-white brings out all the tones and makes it more graphic. And the image sums up their relationship and their sport—they’re out here having fun and taking turns, but always pushing themselves.”

THE HOOPS WHISPERER For decades, pro-am leagues in cities like New York have attracted NBA stars and jaw-dropping amateur talent, but in Atlanta, there wasn’t an equivalent league—until Jahi Rawlings created one. Now he’s forging a new path to success for young ballers in Georgia. Words MAURICE G. GARLAND Photography BRIAN HALL

70

THE RED BULLETIN

Jahi “Jah” Rawlings, the founder of the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League, was photographed in Atlanta on April 13.

Ten years ago, Rawlings had a vision to create a pro-am league in Atlanta that matched the ones he encountered growing up in New York.

COURTESY OF AEBL

WHEN I WROTE DOWN THE VISION FOR THIS, I SAID, ‘10 SUMMERS,’ ” says Jahi Rawlings, before pausing and whispering a revelation that he’s still coming to grips with. “And this is the 10th summer.” When Rawlings created the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League, he gave himself a clear timeline on when he wanted the league to stand on its own without him having to be at every game. The time hasn’t exactly flown by, though. Just like how the last two minutes in a close game can seem like an eternity, the AEBL’s decade-long journey has been full of timeouts, tough plays, desperation shots, emergency substitutions and, of course, some decisive calls that could have sent the league either way. The same can be said about Rawlings’ personal and professional life before starting the AEBL. But if there’s one thing Rawlings—a former point guard who describes his game as “more Allen Iverson than John Stockton”—knows how to do when it’s crunch time, it’s creating his own shot. Before moving to Atlanta in 2001 to attend Georgia Perimeter College on a basketball scholarship, Rawlings—or “Jah” as he is commonly known—bounced between two totally different landscapes. He spent his early childhood in the basketball mecca of New York City, where he fought his way through the city’s highly competitive scene. But he didn’t stand out and make his own name in the sport until he moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to finish high school. If you’re wondering where you’ve heard that name before, it might be from the social feeds of NBA star Zion Williamson, whose high school career at Spartanburg Day School made him a viral sensation before he made more highlights at Duke University and eventually became the No.1 pick in the 2019 NBA draft. But in the late 1990s, Spartanburg was a town where the attitude toward basketball was “lukewarm” at best, according to Rawlings. “My high school team had never been in the playoffs until I got there,” he says about his time at Broome High School, where he took the Centurions to the state playoffs each of the three years he was there. “They were known for baseball and football.” Which should come as no surprise if you’re paying attention. In places like New York City, basketball is king and played year-round. It can be played indoors in the colder months at one of the city’s many gyms. In the summer, it is played outside on asphalt courts, which are plentiful in New York and generally easy to fit in high-density areas in the northeastern United States. Down South, though, places like Spartanburg are more spread out and have a lot of green space available for baseball and football fields, THE RED BULLETIN

For its first two seasons, the AEBL was held outside, but the weather in Atlanta didn’t exactly cooperate. Since then, the tournament has been indoors.

whether they’re manicured or makeshift. The differences are even reflected in popular culture. Hoop-centered high school films like Above the Rim take place in Harlem, while high school football movies like Friday Night Lights play out in Odessa, Texas. So imagine the impact Rawlings had coming from New York, the epicenter of streetball, when he landed in Spartanburg, a town with less than 10 public basketball courts. “They had to move my high school games to a bigger arena,” says Rawlings, managing to not sound like he’s bragging when he states the fact. “Our gym only had an 800-person capacity and it had to be moved to [a gym that could hold] 2,000. College scouts wanted to see me; athletes at other schools were skipping their games to see me. I could’ve had the Zion story if we had social media back then, but we only had VHS.” Rawlings’ story almost started that way when he verbally committed to play at nearby Clemson University. But things changed when then–head coach Larry Shyatt left to take a coaching job at the University of Florida. Instead of following Shyatt and potentially getting redshirted for a year, Rawlings opted to take advantage of another opportunity at Georgia Perimeter College, located just outside of Atlanta, where he was offered a scholarship. “On my visit there, my mother told me this was where I should be,” he says. “Plus, the coaches were Black men that wound up becoming father figures. They made me feel at home.” He would soon find out that this move was just what he needed. In between the time he took the visit and the start of the school year, Rawlings’ mother passed away suddenly from an aneurysm, but his mother’s intuition about Perimeter proved to be prophetic. In his four years on the team, Rawlings helped make the squad NJCAA tournament mainstays, with appearances in the national

73

championship, Final Four and Elite Eight. In 2004, he relocated back to South Carolina to finish his college career at Lander University, where he became captain of the basketball team while earning a sociology degree with a minor in urban revitalization. After graduation, Rawlings had a stint in the NBA’s developmental league before he made a return trip to Atlanta to work as a coach and player developer with the Nike Georgia Stars AAU team. He then secured a gig working in basketball development for the Atlanta Hawks. But in that eight-year span of working in the sport off the court, he saw that the ball wasn’t being passed around. “I noticed a gap, a disconnect with basketball,” he says. “With baseball and football, from the youth all the way to the pros, there is a bridge connecting 74

Since the early days of the AEBL, Bria Janelle (pictured above, center, with Rawlings) has kept the energy alive as the on-court host.

them. Whether it was coaches, handlers, camps. There’s always something connecting athletes to the next level outside of just playing for school.” Before any Atlanta basketball history buffs get offended, let’s make it known that there were definitely “connectors” present in Atlanta. Community legends like the late Wallace Prather cofounded the famed Atlanta Celtics AAU team, which launched the careers of NBA players like Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and countless other future college players. Their counterpart, the Georgia Stars, also funneled local talents—including three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner Lou Williams— into college and the pros. But, as Rawlings emphasizes, systems like these were considered private and invite only. So if you weren’t in them and wanted to get to the next level, you just had to hope you got noticed by a scout or anybody with some connections while hooping at 24hour neighborhood gyms like Run & Shoot in Southwest Atlanta or Hoops in Stone Mountain. On top of that, Rawlings felt that a city as lively as Atlanta deserved a better-rounded basketball culture and community. “I didn’t want to disrespect the basketball that had been built in the city,” insists Rawlings. “I wanted to create a pipeline for guys who were already hoopers, but also help shape and navigate the basketball scene. It wasn’t that ATL didn’t have a scene, it just wasn’t a scene like I envisioned for it.” He adds, “When I saw there were pieces missing, I was like, ‘I’m gonna start the Rucker in Atlanta.’ ” For those not in the know, “the Rucker’’ is a world-renowned basketball tournament hosted at Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, where everyone from Kareem to Kobe to KD has teamed up against some of the best basketball players who never made it to the NBA. (Rawlings’ uncle, Bob McCullough, also happens to be one of the Rucker’s co-founders.) The park is also host to the Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC), where celebrities like Jay-Z and Fat Joe have put together teams, often loaded with NBA talent, to go head-to-head. While winning a Larry O’Brien trophy may get you on a Wheaties box, showing up and showing out at the Rucker gets you a hood pass that’s valid everywhere. “[EBC founder] Greg Marius was a mentor to me, and he said, ‘It’s about time Atlanta had something like that,’ when I told him my idea,” says Rawlings. THE RED BULLETIN

COURTESY OF AEBL

“Growing up seeing that, and seeing how big Atlanta was getting, I had to do it.” In this case, “it” meant Rawlings quitting his job with the Hawks to focus on his new vision. It also meant taking the last $4,000 in his savings account to get the league started. Luckily, he convinced enough people to believe in his idea to work for him for free. But he still had to cover initial costs like park permits, sound equipment rentals and hiring off-duty Atlanta Police Department officers because the games were being hosted at Central Park, which rests in the middle of one of Atlanta’s toughest neighborhoods, the Fourth Ward. “I picked that park because that’s where Walt Frazier is from,” says Rawlings, mentioning that many native Atlantans don’t even know the NBA legend was born and raised in the city. For a new league trying to make an impact, the AEBL’s inaugural season in 2013 didn’t go as smoothly as planned. Staff members, including Rawlings himself, had to suit up for some of the first games because the league didn’t have enough players to make full teams. The players who were invited turned skeptical when they found out the games were going to be played outside, on concrete. Did we mention that summers in Atlanta will make you sweat in places you didn’t know you could? One highlight that made people not even notice those shortcomings was the AEBL’s in-game, on-court host, radio personality Bria Janelle, who handed out commentary and player nicknames to keep the energy on the court going as things worked themselves out. “The vibe on the court is crazy,” says Janelle, a former hooper and McDonald’s All-American Game nominee who had no experience working in sports THE RED BULLETIN

beforehand. “Being able to do something my way, unapologetically. Knowing I am the only woman in the country that’s the voice and face of a pro-am basketball league still baffles me.” By avoiding XFL-level catastrophes, Rawlings saw enough promise in season one to bring it back the next summer. This time, he gave the league a face-lift by investing $15,000 (with support from Red Bull) on a hardwood floor to make the league more enticing to players concerned about injuries. Then it rained that whole summer. “A light bulb went off in my head,” says Rawlings. “I wanted the games to be outside, but the people wanted it to be inside.” Luckily, Central Park also had an indoor gym, where he could move the games. Surprisingly, the emergency pivot paid off, as more athletes and fans started coming to the games. In a matter of weeks, the AEBL became the hottest ticket in town, with lines wrapped around the building. Akin to Rawlings’ time starring in high school games, the AEBL had to switch facilities to handle the bigger crowds. Its first move was to the Grady (now Midtown) High School gym near downtown, then to the Rosel Fann Rec Center off Cleveland Avenue in Southeast Atlanta, and now its home is the KIPP Collegiate Charter School gym on Atlanta’s Westside, where league staff also volunteer during the week.

Over the years, the AEBL has regularly switched facilities to keep up with the growing crowds.

“I wanted to create a pipeline for hoopers, but also help shape and navigate the basketball scene.” 75

After spending years working in basketball development, Rawlings noticed gaps in the sport that failed to offer programs outside of just playing for school or the NBA. So he created one.

Every AEBL facility has one thing in common: They’re all located in the hood, which is by design.

COURTESY OF AEBL

“When people say AEBL, they think about the games. But we solve so many problems in this city.” Each of these facilities has something in common: They’re all located in what every Atlantan would call “the hood.” Which is by design. “Those are the people and places who need us the most,” says Rawlings. “They are the people who can’t afford to go to a Hawks game at State Farm Arena. So why not give hope to those people who need resources too?” He continues, “I love that when people say AEBL, they think about the games. But we solve so many problems in this city [when it comes to] gangs and violence. When we were in the Fourth Ward, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. there wasn’t any crime because everybody was at the games. I’m always going to host games in the hood until I can build my own gym. And even then, I’m building it in the hood.” Even though the games are hosted in places outsiders may hesitate to visit, there are two groups that have no issue showing up and boosting the AEBL’s profile: rappers and professional athletes. While you would think those two worlds would intermingle naturally in a city like Atlanta, that hasn’t always been the case. Sure, some rap music gets played at Braves, Falcons, United and Hawks games to get the crowds hyped, but it wasn’t until somewhat recently that the artists themselves were embraced by the franchises. The Hawks, for example, have gone all in by adding a long list of successful Atlanta artists— ranging from Future to the Ying Yang Twins—to their in-game experiences during halftime and timeouts. Gucci Mane hosted a game where he performed, gifted a fan a Rolex and proposed to his future wife on the same night. The following season, the team tapped Jeezy to debut a new line of jerseys, THE RED BULLETIN

“There are people who can’t afford to go to a Hawks game at State Farm Arena,” says Rawlings. “So why not give hope to those people who need resources too?”

and in 2019, 2 Chainz joined the ownership team of the Hawks’ G-league affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. Quavo of Migos even has his own night once a year. Some observers think that this synergy was partially inspired by what the AEBL did in its formative years, when it welcomed artists like Trinidad James and 2 Chainz to have their own teams in the league, invited up-and-coming rappers to perform and hosted Migos when they were still an upstart group peddling mixtapes. Another way the AEBL stood out? The league secured sanctions from the NBA, which allowed players to participate in the league and still be protected in the event of injury. This official co-sign made AEBL the only NBA-sanctioned league in the city, simultaneously giving NBA players the security (i.e. insurance coverage) they wanted in playing summer ball while also providing NBA referees the opportunity to log hours and hone their skills. The result? Current and former Hawks players like Trae Young, John Collins, Paul Millsap—and the aforementioned Lou Williams—got the green light to play and even build their own teams. It also led to the league having viral SportsCenter moments, like the time Charlotte Hornets forward Montrezl Harrell (then with the Los Angeles Lakers) broke a backboard dunking and his current teammate Isaiah Thomas (then a free agent clawing his way back to All-Star form) scoring a league record of 65 points. But there’s one NBA appearance that Rawlings holds near to his heart. “When Kyrie came in 2017, it changed our whole trajectory,” he says, referring to Kyrie Irving. “We were having the worst summer of our existence.

77

People weren’t coming, players weren’t showing up. Teams was in and out.” It just so happened that Irving was in town shooting Uncle Drew, a sports comedy based on a fictional character he created for a series of commercials for Pepsi Max. Rawlings continues, “He also happened to be wearing a green uniform on both days he played. He took pictures with every kid there, all 1,000 of them. The following Monday he got traded to the Boston Celtics.” The lucky coincidence led to Rawlings being interviewed on ESPN, putting the AEBL on the national map. As the league has gained popularity, Rawlings has expanded the AEBL’s reach in the community to include “The 24” high school all-star game and the Jr. AEBL youth league, and the AEBL is making inroads in the women’s game by creating the AEBLW for WNBA and college players to keep their skills sharp in the offseason. In addition, Rawlings is seeking to build a bridge for HBCU athletics through the HBCU Elite 100 Camp, where high school prospects get to showcase their talents for scouts, and in kind, HBCUs get to lay eyes on talent they can invite to their programs. This move was inspired by Rawlings’ own nonexposure to HBCUs when he was being recruited

“We still got work to do. We’re not at a football or music level, but we’re damn sure getting close.” 78

out of high school. And lastly, later this year, the AEBL will get its first official shoe sponsorship, with Adidas. “We’ve definitely boosted the hoops ecosystem in the city,” says Rawlings, who was proud to receive a city proclamation from former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. (She called the AEBL “a fabric of the community.”) He continues: “The focus and vision my team put into it has helped this entire city. It made high school basketball more attractive, it brought media to the city that wasn’t covering basketball before, it made people want to bring basketball events here. They came here on the premise of what we made basketball look like here. We still got work to do— we’re not at a football or music level, because that’s what people recognize Atlanta for, but we’re damn sure getting close.” Jahi Rawlings is also close to cashing in that “10 summers” promise he made to himself. While he is still very enmeshed in the AEBL, he is in the process of handing the league over to his team. And he’s proud of what his team has become over the last decade, seeing them grow from interns doing whatever was necessary into leaders running a legitimate basketball league and nonprofit organization. “I actually started stepping back last summer, and it was the smoothest it ever went,” he admits. “I’m always going to be involved and making sure the brand is right, but I have a strong team.” While he claimed to be “more Iverson than Stockton,” Rawlings’ vision and versatility have made his contributions to Atlanta’s basketball culture look like pure magic. THE RED BULLETIN

COURTESY OF AEBL

AEBL is the only NBA-sanctioned summer league in Atlanta, which allows pro players like Jaylen Brown (above) to participate and still be protected in the event of injury.

“We’ve definitely boosted the hoops ecosystem in the city,” says Rawlings, who received a city proclamation from former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

guide

SAM FERGUSON/ASPENSNOWMASS

Get it. Do it. See it.

MOUNTAINS OF SUMMER From biking and hiking to ziplining and free concerts, these four ski towns have a lot to offer after the snow melts. Words HEATHER BALOGH ROCHFORT

THE RED BULLETIN

In the summer, Aspen morphs into a verdant outdoor paradise.

81

G U I D E

Do it

C

ome for the winter but stay for the summer. It’s an old adage floating around ski communities, but for good reason. When most people think of resort towns, they envision steep-and-deep skiing. And yet, most locals opt to stick around for the wildflower-filled trail runs and smooth-and-flowy singletrack that wraps through the warmer months. Summer in a ski town is special—and there are more than enough activities to keep you entertained until the snow flies again.

Big Sky, Montana

While resort towns to the south see their fair share of tourists, Big Sky still feels relatively undiscovered as a summer destination. That’s a shame, because the resort itself is home to more than 50 miles of biking trails, including the region’s only liftserved downhill biking. Three chairlifts spin all summer— Explorer 2, Swift Current 6 and Ramcharger 8—to cart bikers 1,700 vertical feet uphill. For riders heading into Swift Current territory, we’ve got some news: This sixperson chairlift has all-new bike carriers for the season. Big Sky is big, though, so there is more than just biking.

The Treeline Trial Challenge Course in Aspen-Snowmass.

According to public relations manager Stacie Mesuda, the resort boasts two zipline courses for adrenaline junkies looking to get downhill in a hurry. The entry-level Nature Zipline experience lasts about an hour and includes a 10-minute mosey uphill along with two ziplines that help visitors swoop 30 to 50 feet above the forest floor. The longer, 2.5-hour Adventure Zipline includes a boost uphill on the Explorer Double Chair before bombing down a series of four ziplines, each spanning

up to 1,500 feet long and soaring 150 feet up in the air. But if adrenaline isn’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Hiking abounds, especially if you’re willing to hop in the car. Yellowstone National Park sits a mere 60 minutes away. Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the world’s first national park is a must-do spectacle with colorful hot springs, erupting geysers and mind-blowing wildlife viewing. Make it Happen Visit Mountain Village at the base of Big Sky Resort to buy lift tickets, book zipline experiences or score access to hiking trails. Fourday bike-haul passes start at $169 and season passes begin at $239. Zipline experiences begin at $35 for kids (14 and under) and $45 for adults.

Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado

Explore more than 50 miles of biking trails in Big Sky.

82

Aspen may be known for its glitz and glam, but in the summer, this remote ski town morphs into a veritable outdoor paradise. Snowmass—the largest of the resort’s four mountains

and neighboring community to the town of Aspen—lives up to its name by offering a multitude of activities, such as trail running, zipline courses and mountain biking on 14 different trails throughout the Snowmass Bike Park, which is accessible via the Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp Chairlift. Beyond two wheels, adventurers of any age will be stoked on the Lost Forest. This midmountain outdoor playground offers an alpine coaster known as the Breathtaker, a disc-golf course, a high-mountain fishing pond and even the 14-lane Rugged Ascent Climbing Wall. One of the biggest hits for many visitors is the Treeline Trial Challenge Course, a series of five obstacle courses of varying difficulty that sit high up in the trees. Most visitors take at least two hours to bop through the numerous rappels, bridges, ladders and ziplines that make up a course. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Every Thursday, the Free Concert Series takes place at

THE RED BULLETIN

ASPENSNOWMASS, CORT MULLER/BIGSKY, MARINA FRENCH/SUNDAY RIVER (2), CHRISTIE FITZPATRICK

Summer Ski Towns

Snowmass’s Fanny Hill Concert Stage at the end of the Snowmass Mall, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and music beginning at 6:30. Drinks are sold onsite as locals and tourists gather to hear the musical stylings of popular performers such as Hazel Miller and the Bono Brothers Band. Make it Happen Head to Snowmass Base Village to secure access to all the chairlifts and summer fun. One-day tickets for Snowmass Bike Park (lift and trail access) are $54 or get three days for $134. Bike rental plus oneday bike park tickets start at $164. Lost Forest tickets begin at $70 for adults and $54 for kids (12 and under).

Sunday River, Maine

If Big Sky is quiet in the summer, Sunday River is a library of adventure. This New England resort doesn’t see the traffic of the other ski communities on this list, but that just means you get all the goodness to yourself—like the Chondola, the dog-/kid-/ grandparent-friendly scenic chairlift ride. Hiking is a local favorite, with dozens of trails staying within ski resort boundaries. Families with young children can scamper along the 1.7-mile Kids’ Adventure Trail as it

passes by Eddy the Yeti’s house. More-experienced trekkers can tackle the shortbut-steep White Cap Summit that spurs off the Summit Hotel Loop and begins at the Grand Summit Hotel. For those ready to ditch the ski resort and explore some out-of-bounds terrain, Western Maine is practically a playground for hikers. Our recommendation: Hit up a portion of the Appalachian Trail by exploring the challenging Old Speck Trail and the Eyebrow Loop—a 10-mile adventure involving ladders and steel rungs. The Sunday River Golf Club boasts 18 holes on one of the most beautiful courses in New England. But if you prefer splashing to teeing up in the sunshine, the town of Bethel (10 minutes away) has a number of swimming holes filled with mountain-crisp water. Adrenaline junkies flock to Frenchman’s Hole, since it’s one of the few with a perfect cliff—and deep enough water—for flipping, diving or jumping. Make it Happen Lift tickets for scenic chairlift rides can be purchased in advance online but need to be picked up at the South Ridge Lodge. Ticket prices are still TBD for the 2022 season. Golf starts at $59 per person and tee times can be booked in advance online at sundayriver.com.

Uchi Dallas Building byCasey Dunn.

Enjoy quiet in Maine at Sunday River—and bring the dog along for a ride.

THE RED BULLETIN

Mountain bikers can enjoy a bucket-list ride in Whistler Blackcomb.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

If you get lucky with a good weather window, summers at Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb Resort are second to none. For starters, you can hit up the marvel of engineering known as the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, one of the world’s longest continuous lift systems. The gondola traverses nearly 2.75 miles as it connects the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains more than 1,400 feet above the valley floor. Along the way, you’ll view epic scenery of volcanic peaks and coastal rainforests. But as Whistler Blackcomb likes to say, the Peak 2 Peak is just “your launchpad to our Outer Spaces.” From there, hikers can enjoy the full-on 360 Experience—30-plus miles of high alpine trails that wind around the mountainside. If you visit in early June, we recommend heading over to the Giant Snow Walls above Pika’s Traverse on Whistler

Mountain. Made of leftover snow from the previous season, they won’t last all summer—but they’re pretty cool to see while they’re still towering above your head. If exposure is more your style, step out onto the gutchurning Cloudraker Skybridge, a 426-foot-long cantilevered walkway that dizzily spans Whistler Bowl on its way to the 360-degree viewing platform known as the Raven’s Eye. As many mountain bikers already know, Whistler has you covered, too. Experienced riders can drop into the Top of the World trail system, a mind-blowing alpine ride that’s on lots of bucket lists. Make it Happen 360 Experience tickets are available online and begin at $85 for adults and $43 for children (ages 7-12). Kids 6 and under are free. Bike park tickets begin at $74 for a oneday adult pass, but Top of the World tickets begin at an additional $23 per person.

83

G U I D E

Do it

TRAIN LIKE A PRO

“IT’S THE HARDEST THING I’VE EVER DONE”

Olympian Kaylin Whitney reveals how she trains for track and field’s longest sprint. Words JEN SEE

A

t age 6, Kaylin Whitney won her first running race. At her elementary school’s field day, she outsprinted the other kids while carrying an egg on a spoon. Soon she joined a local track club and spent her weekends at the track. “I just fell in love with the sport,” she says. At the age of 16, Whitney broke the girls U-18 records in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. She turned pro at age 17 and won her first international meet in the senior ranks. “When I was younger, running just felt effortless,” she muses. “I can’t say that now, because at the elite level, everyone is talented.” Though she initially focused on the shorter sprints, Whitney has shifted her focus to the longer 400-meter event. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she says. “It forced me to change and rethink everything—how I sleep, how I eat, how I emotionally prepare myself to train, day in and day out.” But she has taken the challenge in stride. At the Tokyo Games, she contributed to the U.S. team’s gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay, and she’ll be among the favorites at July’s World Championships in Oregon.

84

“I like the discipline that running gives me and how it fortifies me to be the best person I can be every day,” says Whitney. “Not many people can do their passion from a young age and turn that into a career.”

THE RED BULLETIN

Fitness

O N TR AC K

“I do a lot of stretching” “We train five days a week, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. That includes a track workout, and we lift four days a week—two days upper body, two days lower body. I spend 60 to 90 minutes doing my strides and stretching. I like to use ropes to stretch. I lie on my back and put the ropes around my feet to stretch my hamstrings, quads and glutes. And I do a lot of hip stretches, because my hips get super tight when I sprint. In every track athlete’s bag, you’ll find ropes, lacrosse balls, golf balls—whatever gets the job done.”

N UTR ITI O N

GETTY IMAGES, JOAO CANZIANI

“I’m all plantbased now” “Going plant-based has helped me in every way. I shed all the unnecessary weight I was carrying. I recover better from day to day. I’m as strong as I’ve ever been. I enjoy my food more. Everything is so simple for me now. I crave vegetables, fruits, rice and beans. For breakfast, I’ll have oatmeal with peanut butter and bananas, topped with chia and flax seeds. Then I’ll come home and have a bowl of fruit and a protein shake with bananas, frozen berries and almond milk. I love anything chocolate. I’m a chocoholic! Dinner, you can’t really mess up rice, beans and vegetables.”

THE RED BULLETIN

I NTE RVAL S

“I train to shock my system” “Successful 400 runners need to have the speed of a short sprinter and the endurance of a distance runner. Finding a happy medium between the two is grueling. A lot of my workouts are based on getting to a point of having lactic acid in my legs, then continuing to run. I like to do what’s called a ‘broken 4.’ The total reps are 400 meters, but I might run 200 meters, rest 90 seconds, then run another 200. Or I run 300 meters, rest 90 seconds, then run 100. That shock to the system helps me learn how to sprint when I’m already tired.”

R EC OV E RY

“I focus on sleeping more” “I can’t tell you how much it’s helped me to get eight hours of sleep. Before, I would sleep for five or six hours, but I wasn’t waking up refreshed. Otherwise, for recovery it’s mainly massage, the chiropractor and contrast baths. There’s a place in town that has hot and cold tubs, so I do contrast baths there. We have Normatec boots, that basically squeeze your legs and get the blood flowing. I stretch every day during our warmup, so I’ve got that covered. But at home, sometimes I’ll watch TV and think that I might as well get on the floor and stretch.”

“I LEARN FROM MY FAILURES” “The 400 is the longest sprint, and so many things will happen between meter 1 and meter 400. I remember in my first couple races, I came out like a bat out of hell and obliterated myself. Sometimes, even now in practice, I go out too fast, and I’ll definitely feel it in later reps. You live and you learn. I have to learn how to run something wrong in order to learn to run it right. I have to be open to trying new things and not be afraid to fail.”

85

G U I D E

See it

15

July WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS For the first time ever, the biggest biennial event in track and field is coming to the USA, specifically TrackTown USA. Indeed, Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene will host the world’s greatest runners, jumpers and throwers, and for Americans like our cover star—high jumper Vashti Cunningham (above)—the home-field advantage might give them a small but critical boost to make their way onto the podium. Thru July 24; worldathletics.org

21 July

COMIC CON Comic book and cosplay lovers, assemble! The beloved convention in San Diego is back IRL for the first time since 2019. Here’s your chance to meet the creative brains behind the universes that dominate your screens, both big and small. You can count on some big announcements and trailer drops, though the landscape will likely look very different than it did three years ago, when the first teaser for Top Gun: Maverick premiered, before the film’s release was held back until 2022. Whatever happens this year, we’ll be sporting our spandex—because the material of superheroes is also stretchy around the waistline. Thru July 24; comic-con.org

16

July RED BULL FLUGTAG The world’s wildest flying-craft competition makes its way to Veterans Park in Milwaukee, where daring and screwball creators attempt to make their aerial dreams come true. Teams of five build homemade flying machines and then send them off a flight deck to see which ones fly the farthest—or crash the hardest. If you've never witnessed or participated (go big!) in this mainstay event, don't miss out this year. redbull.com

86

THE RED BULLETIN

Calendar

29

28

July

UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP Last year, Snowshoe in West Virginia, delivered one of the most exciting World Cup Downhill finals in recent history, when Frenchman Loïc Bruni clinched his third DH world championship in a splashy run. This year, Snowshoe is an important waystation before the last two races of the season, where every second and every point can make a difference. While the downhill course here is dicey, the cross-country course is fast—and known for tight finishes. Thru July 31; uci.org

July LOLLAPALOOZA It’s bittersweet to think about the act that closed out last year’s fest: the Foo Fighters, who lost drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. The landscape of this legendary four-day fest in Chicago has pivoted from rock to keep up with the times, but you can still count on Metallica to open this year’s event. Other headliners include Doja Cat (pictured), J. Cole, Machine Gun Kelly and Charli XCX. And of course, it wouldn’t be Lolla without Jane’s Addiction on closing night. lollapalooza.com

12

27 August

GETTY IMAGES (2), RED BULL CONTENT POOL (2)

RED BULL RAPIDS In the madcap spirit of Red Bull Flugtag, here’s another one-of-a-kind participatory event. Here teams build a craft from scratch and attempt to take it whitewater rafting. What could go wrong? This year, the insanity goes down in the heart of Oklahoma City. For those in the know, the Oklahoma River is seven miles of human-made funness, where a flood diversion channel was transformed into a state-of-the-art training site for rafters and kayakers back in 2004. redbull.com

THE RED BULLETIN

August RED BULL TKO Many of the world’s top Hard Enduro riders will descend on Sequatchie, Tennessee, for the 12th-annual Tennesee Knockout. TKO’s unique format forces riders to battle each other, the clock and the terrain in a series of rounds that reward those with the best combined trials, enduro and motocross skills. With only the top finishers progressing through each round, the best are left fighting for that top step of the podium when the flag drops on the winner-takes-all finale. The first day of racing allows amateurs—the competition has large fields for both men and women—to earn a chance to compete against the pros and other elite riders on Sunday. Thru August 14; redbull.com

87

Moore (right) wears the Max Surf Suit out on the water.

HURLEY X MOORE ALOHA MAX SURF SUIT

Hurley collaborates with five-time world champ and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore for a new collection that includes this one-piece surf suit. Ride waves all day in this vintage-inspired print. Long sleeves protect from the sun, while the nylon-spandex blend fabric offers a supportive fit. Back-zip closure means easy on and off. A portion of proceeds benefits the Moore Aloha Foundation, which helps girls build confidence in and out of the water. $90; hurley.com

LIQUID REFRESHMENT

Whether you’re headed to the beach, into the surf or up to a local river, here’s the best new gear to keep you comfortable and smiling ear to ear. Words JEN SEE

G U I D E

S U R F

AC T I O N

BILLABONG 3/2 FURNACE CHEST ZIP WETSUIT

VISSLA SHOOTS 18.5” BOARDSHORTS

HYDROFLASK 40 OZ. WIDE MOUTH

DAKINE MISSION 30L SURF PACK

Stay toasty on dawn patrol in this 3/2 mm suit. Premium neoprene provides flexibility and warmth, and partially recycled neoprene lightens the petroleum-based footprint. Recycled Airlite stretch fabric covers the exterior, as proprietary, recycled Graphene brings comfort inside. Taped interior seams prevent chafing and ensure watertight performance. Chest-zip entry for easy access. $450; billabong.com

Stay hydrated during long beach days with this insulated stainless-steel bottle. HydroFlask says its double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, and the wide mouth makes adding ice a breeze. The Color Last powder coat process promises to keep colors bright even after numerous dishwasher trips. Available in 10 colors, including four summery hues for the season: starfish, laguna, snapper and seagrass. $50; hydroflask.com

Four-way stretch in these fresh boardshorts ensures freedom of movement, and the 18.5-inch inseam offers sun protection. Vissla sources several sustainable fabrics for this line, including recycled polyester fabrics and Cocotex, a fiber spun from upcycled coconut husks. The shorts are odor resistant, fast drying and rated UPF 50. They have an adjustable waist closure and an integrated key rope. $70; vissla.com

Pack all the necessities into this roll-top pack. A seam-sealed waterproof compartment can hold a wetsuit and towel. A 4/3 mm full suit will fit easily, with space left over for booties and gloves. Two zippered front pockets can hold wax, fins and other necessities. Slide a phone and sunglasses into the fleece pocket on top. Waterbottle pockets on both sides and a front mesh pocket provide additional storage. Perfect for daily sessions or travel. $95; dakine.com

ALBUM SURFBOARDS PLASMIC

Album is known for innovation and creativity, and founder Matt Parker brings a fine-art background to shaping. A twin fin, the Plasmic blends eclectic design cues. A deep concave through the tail is the Plasmic’s most notable characteristic, which helps to create a feeling of effortless speed. Ride it short for a lively ride in average surf, or choose a longer, narrow outline for a quality-wave ripper. Pictured with Dark Arts carbon-wrap construction. From $1,050; albumsurf.com

On a hot summer day, you’ll appreciate how a Hydroflask can keep drinks cold for 24 hours. THE RED BULLETIN

89

G U I D E

L A K E

ALPACKA GNARWHAL

For 20-plus years, Alpacka has specialized in packable, capable boats ideal for bikepacking and backpacking. This versatile, whitewaterready packraft is stable and forgiving. It’s ideal for building whitewater skills and carrying heavier loads on longer trips. Constructed out of durable nylon, it includes four-point thigh straps and ships with inflation bag, stuff sack and basic repair kit. Available in three sizes and two colorways. From $1,525; alpackaraft.com

A N D

R I V E R

F U N

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR CRATER LAKE HOODIE

STIO CUT BANK PANTS

For long days on the water, UPF clothing is key. This piece, with a deep hood and thumb loops, provides comfortable protection. A waist drawstring gives the women’s version an adjustable fit and stylish look. The polyester knit wicks moisture, dries quickly and feels good. Dropped shoulders add mobility for paddling or bouldering. Comes in three colors for women and three for men. $60; mountainhardwear.com

Constructed from stretch nylon, these pants are excellent for hiking and creek-stomping. Quick drying and lightweight, they thrive in and out of the water. Two-way stretch fabric ensures mobility and offers UPF 50 protection. Roll and cuff buttons create a shorter inseam on the fly. Two front stash pockets and a buttoned cargo pocket carry essentials. Made from 96 percent recycled nylon and 4 percent spandex. Available in men’s and women’s styles. $129; stio.com

PATAGONIA MEN’S BAGGIES

YETI SIDEKICK DRY GEAR CASE

These classic shorts are at home in and out of the water. And in line with the company’s sustainability goals, they’re made from NetPlus, a new nylon fabric spun out of recycled fishing nets. Baggies feature an elastic waist with internal drawstring and a 5-inch inseam for mobility. There are mesh pockets in front and a rear pocket with a button flap for secure storage. Available in 15 colors. Women’s styles also available. $65; patagonia.com

Protect essentials on the river with this waterproof bag. Made from abrasion-proof Dryhide, the Sidekick has welded seams for waterproof performance. Velcro and magnetic strips ensure watertight closure. Attach the bag to a belt, backpack or Yeti cooler with four velcro loops. The roomy interior holds a cell phone, wallet and small notebook, while an interior mesh pocket organizes smaller items like keys. Choose from six colors. $50; yeti.com

The Yeti Sidekick is watertight and rugged— perfect for protecting essentials on the river. 90

THE RED BULLETIN

Bedrock Cairn 3D Pro II Adventure Sandals truly excel when conditions get wet and slippery.

BEDROCK CAIRN 3D PRO II ADVENTURE SANDALS

Be ready for any slippery terrain with these sandals. The sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole provides traction, and the molded footbed helps prevent sliding. The strap system includes three adjustment zones and wide straps (in eight colors) to avoid pressure points. They come in unisex sizes and can be resoled. $130; bedrocksandals.com

CAMELBAK CHILLBAK PACK 30

Carry a party on your back with this ingeniously portable cooler. Built from TPU-coated nylon, the Chillbak carries up to 24 cans and 15 pounds of ice. Camelbak says the Chillbak stays cold for 70-plus hours. The pack also includes a 6-liter reservoir for quick access to hydration. The rolltop closure keeps things simple, and padded back channel, shoulder straps and waist belt ease the load. Available in Adriatic Blue or Monument Grey. Available in July. $300; camelbak.com

If you want to carry cold drinks in the backcountry, the Camelbak Chillbak Pack 30 is up to the task.

G U I D E

B E AC H

L I F E

MAMI WATA CARTOON EYES SHIRT

SMITH OPTICS LOWDOWN METAL

AVASOL SURFERS BARRIER STICK

VOLCOM OZZY WRONG HOODIE

Keep things extra cool with this poplin shirt from new surf brand Mami Wata. The brand name derives from an African water spirit believed to bring good luck, and the animist sensibility at the heart of African surf culture inspires Mami Wata’s summer collection. The shirt’s cartooneyes design pays respect to the spirit that lives in objects and nature. Loose fit, 100 percent cotton. Matching boardshorts are available. Made in Africa. $120; mamiwatasurf.com

For this sunblock stick, Avasol uses natural ingredients that are free from nanoparticles, parabens or synthetic chemicals. Zinc and titanium oxides protect from UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen is formulated to minimize allergic reactions and irritation, so it’s easy on your skin. Minimalist cardboard packaging biodegrades and slips easily into your beach bag. Rated effective for 80 minutes in water. Comes in four tint shades and SPF 30 and 50. $20; avasol.com

New for summer, Smith updates the classic Lowdown with a fresh metal frame. Smith’s signature ChromaPop polarized lenses aim to cut the sunlight’s glare, while enhancing color and contrast. Adjustable silicon nose pads and rubber temples keep glasses secure. The stainless-steel frame is lightweight and should stand up to a saltwater environment. Choose from four frame colors with lenses in multiple coordinating shades. $189; smithoptics.com

Stay cozy after sunset with this hoodie from the Surf Vitals collection, which includes favorite designs from the Volcom men’s surf team. Artist and pro surfer Ozzy Wright has become known for his offbeat, brightly colored designs under his alter ego Ozzy Wrong. The loose fit and the soft, fleece interior of this hoodie are made for relaxing. Volcom constructs this cool piece from 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester fleece. $75; volcom.com

SLOWTIDE X KASSIA QUICK-DRY BEACH TOWEL

Slowtide collaborates with longboard legend Kassia Meador for this colorful towel, made from recycled plastic. Lightweight, the towel packs down small for easy carrying, while the spacious 30” x 60” size is perfect for lounging. Hang it from the drawcord loop—it should dry twice as quickly as a cotton towel. The otherworldly geometric design evokes the colors of tropical waters at sunset. $45; slowtide.co

Volcom’s Ozzy Wrong hoodie is offbeat but well constructed and cozy. THE RED BULLETIN

93

A N ATO M Y O F G E A R An innovative surfing product, deconstructed. Words PETER FLAX

I

t’s one of surfing’s newest frontiers—the chance to fly above the water. And you don’t need waves. Or wind. Or even the ocean. On an electric hydrofoil surfboard, a category pioneered by Puerto Rico–based Lift, a surfer of almost any ability can find thrills and adventure. Here’s a closer look at their Lift3 foil, a higher-end product that’s been used by surf legends like Kai Lenny, Laird Hamilton, Brian Grubb and Paige Alms.

LIFT3 EFOIL Starting at $12,495; liftfoils.com

S I Z E M AT T E R S

Made from strong, lightweight forged carbon fiber, the boards come in four sizes—ranging from the 4’2 Pro to the 5’9 Explorer. Smaller sizes are more nimble and responsive, geared to more advanced riders, while the larger boards are more stable and better for cruising.

REMAIN IN CHARGE

A lithium-ion battery sits inside the board. With a two-hour charge, riders can get up to 100 minutes of high-powered fun on the foil.

COMMAND CENTRAL

Riders hold a waterproof and ergonomic Bluetooth controller that allows them to change speeds and performance settings and also displays battery life. Letting go of the trigger will automatically stop the motor.

G U I D E

WINGS OF DESIRE

Riders can customize their eFoil with 16 different carbon-fiber front wings and rear stabilizers to optimize the performance, control and stability of the board in different conditions or environments.

P O W E R P L AY

Thanks to the nearly silent but powerful 5 horsepower motor, riders can exceed 30 mph (on a smaller board). The propeller, machined out of solid aluminum, provides the thrust and is encased in a metal shroud in the name of rider safety.

REMOTE CONTROL Whether you need a firmware update, want to troubleshoot board diagnostics or watch instruction videos, the free Lift app is a useful tool. Available for both Apple and Android devices.

95

GLOBAL TEAM

THE RED BULLETIN WORLDWIDE

The Red Bulletin is published in six countries. The cover of this month’s French edition features 19-yearold Franco-AustralianZimbabwean phenom Sasha Zhoya, who specializes in the 110-meter hurdles. For more stories beyond the ordinary, go to redbulletin.com.

Disclaimer If you subscribed to The Red Bulletin magazine in the USA either by mail, online or other method, we may send you offers through direct mail that we feel might be of interest to you and/or share your name and mailing address and certain other information, such as when you first subscribed, with reputable companies that provide marketing offers through direct mail. If you do not want us to send you any offers from third parties through direct mail or share your personal information with other companies so that they can send you direct mail offers about their products and services, please write to us at the street address or subscription email address at right. Please note that even if you opt out of receiving promotional direct mail offers, we may continue to send you service notifications by direct mail that are related to your The Red Bulletin account(s).

96

Head of The Red Bulletin Alexander Müller-Macheck, Sara Car-Varming (deputy) Editors-in-Chief Andreas Rottenschlager, Andreas Wollinger (deputy) Creative Directors Erik Turek, Kasimir Reimann (deputy) Copy Chief David Pesendorfer Art Directors Marion Bernert-Thomann, Miles English, Tara Thompson Designers Martina de Carvalho-Hutter, Kevin Faustmann-Goll, Cornelia Gleichweit Photo Editors Eva Kerschbaum (manager), Marion Batty (deputy), Susie Forman, Tahira Mirza, Rudi Übelhör Digital Editors Christian Eberle-Abasolo (manager), Lou Boyd, Marie-Maxime Dricot, Melissa Gordon, Lisa Hechenberger, Elena Rodriguez Angelina, Julian Vater Head of Audio Florian Obkircher Managing Editors Ulrich Corazza, Marion Lukas-Wildmann Publishing Management Ivona Glibusic, Bernhard Schmied, Melissa Stutz Managing Director Stefan Ebner Head of Media Sales & Partnerships Lukas Scharmbacher Head of Co-Publishing Susanne Degn-Pfleger Project Management Co-Publishing, B2B Marketing & Communication Katrin Sigl (manager), Katrin Dollenz, Thomas Hammerschmied, Sophia Wahl, Teresa Kronreif (B2B), Eva Pech, Valentina Pierer, Stefan Portenkirchner (communication), Jennifer Silberschneider Creative Services Verena Schörkhuber-Zöhrer (manager), Sara Wonka, Julia Bianca Zmek, Edith Zöchling-Marchart, Tanja Zimmermann Commercial Management Co-Publishing Alexandra Ita Editorial Co-Publishing Raffael Fritz (manager), Gundi Bittermann, Michael Hufnagl, Irene Olorode, Mariella Reithoffer, Wolfgang Wieser Executive Creative Director Markus Kietreiber Senior Manager Creative Elisabeth Kopanz Art Direction Commercial & Co-Publishing Peter Knehtl (manager), Erwin Edtmayer, Simone Fischer, Martina Maier, Andreea Parvu, Carina Schaittenberger, Alexandra Schendl, Julia Schinzel, Florian Solly, Dominik Uhl, Sophie Weidinger, Stephan Zenz Head of Direct to Consumer Business Peter Schiffer Direct to Consumer Business Marija Althajm, Victoria Schwärzler, Yoldaş Yarar Retail & Special Projects Manager Klaus Pleninger Advertising Manuela Brandstätter, Monika Spitaler Production Veronika Felder (manager), Martin Brandhofer, Walter O. Sádaba, Sabine Wessig Repro Clemens Ragotzky (manager), Claudia Heis, Nenad Isailović, Sandra Maiko Krutz, Josef Mühlbacher Finance Mariia Gerutska (manager), Elisabeth Maier MIT Christoph Kocsisek, Michael Thaler IT Service Desk Maximilian Auerbach Operations Alice Gafitanu, Melanie Grasserbauer, Alexander Peham, Thomas Platzer, Raphaela Pucher Assistant to General Management Sandra Artacker Project Management Dominik Debriacher Editor and CEO Andreas Kornhofer Editorial office Am Grünen Prater 3, A-1020 Vienna Phone +43 1 90221-0 Web redbulletin.com Published by Red Bull Media House GmbH, Oberst-Lepperdinger-Straße 11–15, A-5071 Wals bei Salzburg, FN 297115i, Landesgericht Salzburg, ATU63611700 Executive Directors Dkfm. Dietrich Mateschitz, Dietmar Otti, Christopher Reindl, Marcus Weber

THE RED BULLETIN USA, Vol. 12 Issue 1, ISSN 2308-586X is published monthly except combined January/February and July/August issues by Red Bull Media House, North America, 1740 Stewart St., Santa Monica, CA 90404. Periodicals postage paid at Santa Monica, CA, and additional mailing offices. ATTENTION POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE RED BULLETIN, PO Box 469002, Escondido, CA 92046. Editor-in-Chief Peter Flax Deputy Editor Nora O’Donnell Art Director Tara Thompson Copy Chief David Caplan Publishing Management Branden Peters Advertising Sales Todd Peters, todd.peters@redbull.com Dave Szych, dave.szych@redbull.com Tanya Foster, tanya.foster@redbull.com Printed by Quad/Graphics, Inc., 668 Gravel Pike, East Greenville, PA 18041, qg.com Mailing Address PO Box 469002 Escondido, CA 92046 U.S. Office 1740 Stewart St. Santa Monica, CA 90404 Subscribe getredbulletin.com, subscription@us.redbulletin.com. Basic subscription rate is $29.95 per year. Offer available in the U.S. and U.S. possessions only. The Red Bulletin is published 10 times a year. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery of the first issue. Customer Service 855-492-1650; subscription@us.redbulletin.com

THE RED BULLETIN Austria, ISSN 1995-8838 Editor Nina Kaltenböck Proofreaders Hans Fleißner (manager), Petra Hannert, Monika Hasleder, Billy Kirnbauer-Walek Publishing Management Bernhard Schmied Media Sales & Partnerships Thomas Hutterer (manager), Michael Baidinger, Franz Fellner, Ines Gruber, Wolfgang Kröll, Gabriele Matijevic-Beisteiner, Alfred Vrej Minassian, Nicole Okasek-Lang, Britta Pucher, Jennifer Sabejew, Johannes Wahrmann-Schär, Ellen WittmannSochor, Ute Wolker, Christian Wörndle, Sabine Zölß

THE RED BULLETIN France, ISSN 2225-4722 Editor Pierre-Henri Camy Country Coordinator Christine Vitel Country Project Management Alexis Bulteau

THE RED BULLETIN Germany, ISSN 2079-4258 Editor Maximilian Reich Proofreaders Hans Fleißner (manager), Petra Hannert, Monika Hasleder, Billy Kirnbauer-Walek Country Project Management Nina Hahn Media Sales & Partnerships Thomas Hutterer (manager), Michael Baidinger, Franz Fellner, Ines Gruber, Wolfgang Kröll, Gabriele Matijevic-Beisteiner, Alfred Vrej Minassian, Nicole Okasek-Lang, Britta Pucher, Jennifer Sabejew, Johannes Wahrmann-Schär, Ellen WittmannSochor, Ute Wolker, Christian Wörndle, Sabine Zölß

THE RED BULLETIN Switzerland, ISSN 2308-5886 Editor Stefania Telesca Proofreaders Hans Fleißner (manager), Petra Hannert, Monika Hasleder, Billy Kirnbauer-Walek Country Project Management Meike Koch Media Sales & Brand Partnerships Christian Bürgi (Team Lead), christian.buergi@redbull.com Marcel Bannwart, marcel.bannwart@redbull.com Jessica Pünchera, jessica.puenchera@redbull.com Goldbach Publishing Marco Nicoli, marco.nicoli@goldbach.com

THE RED BULLETIN United Kingdom, ISSN 2308-5894 Editor Ruth McLeod Associate Editor Tom Guise Chief Sub-Editor Davydd Chong Publishing Management Ollie Stretton Advertising Sales Mark Bishop, mark.bishop@redbull.com

THE RED BULLETIN

READY FOR THE BIG TIME

A NEW FORMULA 1 PODCAST FROM THE RED BULLETIN

LI STE N NOW!

Available on:

Let’s Fly At this year’s Red Bull Formation—an annual event in Virgin, Utah, that brings together the best female mountain bike freeriders—the competitors pushed the boundaries to new limits. “The progression witnessed was spectacular and marks a turning point for women’s freeride mountain biking,” founding organizer Katie Holden told reporters. Case in point: New Zealander Robin Goomes finished her line with a backflip, the first ever performed at the event. “We have seen a tremendous amount of confidence from the riders,” added Holden. “We hit a milestone.”

98

The next issue of THE RED BULLETIN is out on August 16.

THE RED BULLETIN

ROBIN O’NEILL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

NORA O’DONNELL

Action highlight

RETURN TO THE MAGIC

SCAN HERE to watch 1 01 , 1 0 Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

LOOK FOR IT ON ™ & DIGITAL 4K ULTRA HD™ facebook.com/fantasticbeastsmovie #SecretsOfDumbledore

ENGLISH

SDH

©2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Wizarding World™ Publishing Rights © J.K.R. WIZARDING WORLD and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

omegawatches.com

S P E E D M A S T E R M O O N WAT C H In July 1969, the Speedmaster earned its nickname when it became the first watch worn on the moon, and in 1970, it went above all expectations when it helped guide the crew of the crippled Apollo 13 mission back to safety. Updated today as a Co-Axial Master Chronometer, the iconic Moonwatch is now tested and certified at the highest level by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) which guarantees more accuracy, reliability and supreme resistance to magnetism.