Last week, BMX joined MTB at Nines for the first time, and the combination sparked something special. The result was an explosion of creativity, fresh perspectives, and shared inspiration on the picturesque slopes of Bike Republic Sölden in the Austrian Alps.
“I’ve been photographing BMX and bikes for 20 years, and I have never seen anyone go as high with the standard of riding as I did this week. I’m blown away. The standard of riding is so much higher than what you see in the Olympics, because here there’s no pressure of the contest. The riders can take risks, and crash, and it’s fine. It’s a jam.”
-George Marshall, Photographer
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Led by Kevin Peraza and park builder Jason Watts, the BMX contingent arrived ready to make its mark on its Nines debut. Standout riding from Sasha Cambon, Perris Benegas, Kilian Roth, and Esme Morris was capped by an incredible performance from wildcard invite Dean Florian. BMX left a lasting impression in its first appearance at Nines and, in the words of Kevin Peraza: “This is just the beginning.”
On the MTB side, the women raised the bar once again, with Kirsten Van Horne and Veronique Sandler becoming the first riders to link together the oversized jumps of the freeride line from top to bottom. Nines veterans such as Tim Bringer, Tomas Lemoine, Peter Kaiser, and Bienvenido Aguado delivered across the course, while a rising generation of young talent—including Finley Kirschenmann, Harry Schofield, and 11-year-old Weston Lukens—showed exactly why the future of the sport is in good hands.
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“Thank you so so much for the incredible week! I can’t believe how much riding we got in and how much fun we had! It’s been a dream to be a part of this event for years and I can’t thank you enough. I will 1000% be keen for next year and look forward to keep progressing the sport with the gals! ”
–Kirstin Van Horne, NZ, MTB
By welcoming BMX to the mountains for the first time, Nines embraced a new chapter—and the results blew away the expectations. Further proof that when different worlds meet in the same place with the same purpose, great things tend to follow.
Next up, Swatch Nines returns to Waco Surf for a third edition of Skate & Surf, taking place October 8–10, 2025. Stay tuned to Nines channels for further updates, including rider announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and event highlights.
– Words and Images, courtesy of Swatch Nines –