Wild Rye Announces 2024 Pro Team and New Industry Partnerships

March 28, 2024

Women-led Wild Rye welcomes its most robust athlete roster yet, representing the brand’s mission of holistically supporting women in their outdoor pursuits and beyond

Sun Valley, ID (March 28, 2024) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Wild Rye, the premiere active lifestyle apparel brand designed for and by women adventurers, announces their 2024 Pro Team, composed of 16 accomplished skiers, cyclists, and hard-working individuals who excel not just in their sport, but in their roles as friends, mothers, ER nurses, coaches, phDs, avalanche professionals, community advocates, and so much more. New additions to this year’s team of 16 Wild Rye veterans include Chanel Mitchell, Ariel Kazunas, Nikki Champion, and KaJay Rooke.

“We are honored and thrilled to welcome such an incredible group of women into our Wild Rye family,” said Cassie Abel, Wild Rye CEO and Founder. The team’s expansion this year perfectly reflects Wild Rye’s mission of empowering women through every aspect and cycle of their life. “At Wild Rye, we know it’s not all about the fast results or big tricks; we want to support women who dig deep into their communities and truly embody our ethos and values.”

“I didn’t pick up skiing or biking until my thirties so I was surprised when Wild Rye initially reached out about joining their pro team,” said Ariel Kazunas. “Their mission behind this amazing group of individuals is what makes the team truly special as it provides a space for our diverse backgrounds and skill sets to collaborate on everything from how to manage inequity in the outdoor industry to what goes into making the perfect chammy.”

Kazunas is a writer, community advocate and event producer who impressively juggles a multitude of altruistic endeavors, from volunteering on Teton Pass as a Backcountry Ambassador to her involvement with the Shelter JH, a grassroots organization addressing Teton County’s housing crisis. Additionally, Kazunas collaborates with outdoor industry organizations to make sports like mountain biking more accessible, and maintains involvement with several climate justice organizations.

Nikki Champion first entered the world of snow sports as a Michigan ski racer. After pursuing an education in snow science and civil engineering, Champion currently works as an avalanche forecaster in Utah and mountain guide on Mount Rainier, in the Cascades, and on Denali.

KaJay Rooke is an aspiring van-living, design-making mountain biker, who lives on the East Coast, but spends her time chasing singletrack and fresh powder tracks all over the world. An artist and explorer at heart, Rooke relies on a balance of creativity and time spent outdoors.

The team is rounded out by existing Wild Rye ambassadors and pro team athletes Alex Pavon, Diana Allen, Rachel Kim, Annie Davis, Aja Gibson, Aly Nicklas, Emily Tidwell, Ingrid Stensvaag, Krystin Norman, Lucy Sackbauer, Nyota Haley, and Nicole Jorgenson.

Just as the Pro Team showcases Wild Rye’s commitment to building a powerful sense of camaraderie within the women’s cycling, snowsports, and general outdoor adventure communities, Wild Rye’s partnership with Ladies AllRide, women’s mountain bike specific skills development camps, pushes their mission build the confidence of women in sports and in life. Lindsey Richter, founder of Ladies AllRide, and Cassie Abel, founder of Wild Rye, envision this partnership as a means to inspire women through shared passion, mutual support, and the collective love of spending time outdoors.

Additionally, Wild Rye is a sponsor of the new GTWildRye Racing Team, made up of three professional downhill riders including Mazie Hayden, Riley Miller, and Sarah Hamlin who plan to compete in both regional and international races and events. This team’s mission is to support and empower women in mountain biking and grow overall women’s participation in the sport.

More information about Wild Rye’s Pro Team, including some “Pro Tips” from the team can also be found at wild-rye.com.

###

Press Contact: Stef Walters | stef@outsidepr.com | 970-409-0026

About Wild Rye

Founded in August 2016, Wild Rye™ brings beautiful and technical mountain apparel to all who identify as women, and aims to inspire confidence and get more women outside. Wild Rye apparel never compromises on fit, performance, and contemporary style and is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive access point to the outdoors, cycling and snowsports, by building confidence and community, protecting the places we play. Wild Rye is proudly B-Corporation certified, Climate Neutral Certified, a member of 1% for the Planet and Wood River Trails Coalition Business, and a SheJumps partner. Wild Rye is a shape inclusive brand that celebrates all women and is continually working to improve both brand and product experience for consumers. Wild Rye products are designed and tested in its Sun Valley, Idaho mountain home and are available in specialty retailers across the country and REI, Title Nine and more. Learn more at wild-rye.com. @wild_rye