Vail Valley Foundation selects 9 athletes for inaugural ‘Mountain Games Athlete Team’

The Vail Valley Foundation unveiled Tuesday its inaugural ‘Mountain Games Athlete Team’ roster. The nine professional and amateur Mountain Games-sponsored athletes represent a diverse set of disciplines from climbing, kayaking, biking, running, slacklining and more.

“It was amazing to watch these athletes compete this past summer and we can’t wait to see them showcase their talents as Mountain Games-sponsored athletes in 2025,” Dave Dressman, event director for the Vail Valley Foundation, stated in a press release. “This team highlights the wide array of disciplines involved in this unique event. We are stoked to have them on board and representing the Mountain Games brand year-round.”

According to the release, Mountain Games representatives scouted athletes at the 2024 Mountain Games in June “to assess talent.” A pool of several hundred applicants was narrowed down to nine following an online application process, interviews and reference checks.

Tom Boyd, the Vail Valley Foundation’s director of PR and communications, said one goal of the initiative was to give back to the athlete community through support.

“But also aligning with like-minded individuals who can create value for the Mountain Games brand, our partners, our content efforts and in general, keeping the Mountain Games healthy and fresh from a brand and event standpoint,” he said.

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Athletes will receive financial support, marketing exposure, participation within the event, gear and swag and access to Mountain Games brand partners. When asked how long the idea for a team had been in the works, Boyd said it had been “kicked around here and there.”

“We at the VVF have always been fascinated and inspired by athletes who make up amazing ‘teams’ across the global sponsorship industry,” he said.

Four athletes from Eagle County were named to the team and all of the members have a Colorado connection.

“This partnership with the Mountain Games is really a unique opportunity to grow personally and professionally,” said Minturn multi-sport athlete Rob Prechtl. The 41-year-old views the team as a way for athletes to tell their stories “with a bit more reach.”

“Being a person who typically runs from the spotlight, my default is to keep my head down, grind and focus on honing my skills physically and mentally,” he continued. “I hope as part of this team I am able to collaborate with other talented amateurs and professionals and learn to embrace the public-facing aspects of sponsorship and competition.”

Prechtl was introduced to the Mountain Games in 2011 when he signed up to compete in the ‘Ultimate Mountain Challenge.’ He’s competed in at least one event every year since, shifting from running and biking toward whitewater events. The “atmosphere” of the Mountain Games is what brings him back every summer.

“It is by far the most exciting time to be in the mountains of Colorado when amazing athletes, musicians and artists of all types descend on the valley to kick off my favorite season,” he said.

Another local, Davis Hermes, said he’s “stoked” to be sponsored by the event that exposed him to slacklining. The 24-year-old freestyle highline world champion has been participating in the Mountain Games since early elementary school. His favorite aspect is the wide-range of activities.

“There is whatever mountain related sport you’re looking for,” said Hermes, who plans to assist organizing the trickline competition and perform at the International Bridge.

“(I) will need to see what events/times work so I can compete in addition to my responsibilities surrounding slacklining,” he continued. Hermes first slacklined at the Mountain Games in 2012.

“I actually missed the comp and only saw athletes playing on the line for a few minutes on Sunday before taking the line down,” the Vail-native said. “That’s all I needed to know I wanted to do what ‘those guys were doing.'” 

Australian Lara Hamilton resides in Crested Butte and has her sights set on the 2026 skimo Olympics and the skimo and trail running world championships. Her focus as a member of the Athlete Team is to make connections in both sports.

“Essentially people who just ‘get it’, you know?” she said. “We are super passionate people, we have big goals, but most of all, we enjoy the process and learning from each other. I want to be inspired, pushed, challenged.”

In her first Mountain Games appearance last June, Hamilton placed third in the 10k trail race.

“I had a blast,” she stated. “It attracted a pretty stellar field, I had tough competition and had to fight for a podium position.” Next year, Hamilton plans to race either the 10k or 20k and perform live music. She believes the Athlete Team will lead the charge in “growing awareness of the Mountain Games.”

“I think everyone loves to follow a good story,” she said. “Often — when aiming for things that are really hard and out there — there’s always a great story passed and forming,” she said. 

For 20-year-old Brayden Kirby-Billingsley of Fort Collins, networking with athletes outside one’s discipline is the Mountain Games’ most unique built-in perk. The five-time participant plans to compete in the raft and stand-up paddleboard events but might try his hand at mountain biking and kayaking as well.

“This is a big leap forward in my plan to inspire the younger generation to get outside and try a fun activity,” he said of his involvement with the team. “We see so many kids now finding joy through devices and screens and not accessing the natural joys around us.”

Dual slalom athlete Dani Jones is a CU alumna who lives in San Diego, California. She said coming to the Mountain Games is a bit like “coming home.” Next summer will be her fourth year participating.

“It is an incredibly unique event in that it brings together so many different sports, hobbies and competition formats into a single beautiful place,” she said, adding that joining the ‘Athlete Team’ is “another step in engagement for advancing my career.”

“This past year has provided a lot of growth for myself with the support of Specialized,” she continued. “Now with the Vail Valley Foundation in my corner as well, I can continue to promote the Mountain Games and have a positive impact on the future of mountain bikes and outdoor sports.”

Boulder climber Gabe Linderman said while team members come from different backgrounds, they’re united by a “passion for sustainable recreation, friendly competition and inclusive environments.”

“We’re all stoked to promote an event that we genuinely believe in,” he said. “The Mountain Games is a special event where competition is taken seriously and everyone gives 100% in their event, but at the end of the day, it’s all about coming together to appreciate the sports that we all enjoy.”

Linderman plans to boulder in the North American Cup Series and citizens competitions and run the 5k trail race. His mom got him into climbing after realizing he was scared of heights.

“I really enjoy putting himself out there in new and challenging environments,” he said. On that note, Linderman is debating jumping into the 20k trail run or the road bike time trial next summer, too.

“For me, being on the Mountain Games Athlete Team is part of a long career of pushing myself in the mountains,” he continued. “I’m most excited to be surrounded by people who are equally as excited about human-powered recreation and giving it everything.”