WE HAVE OFFICIALLY HIT THAT PART OF WINTER. NATURAL SELECTION IS FINALLY PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN AND LETTING US SEE WHAT WENT DOWN EARLIER THIS MONTH ALL OVER THE WORLD. There aren’t really any losers in Natural Selection considering the talent we just watched on display, but only one rider per Duel will sadly advance to the field set for Revelstoke next month. We listed out who will be joining Travis Rice, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Blake Paul, Robin Van Gyn, Ben Ferg, Mark McMorris, and the rest of the men and women below, so if you want to watch for yourself before knowing, stop here. If you are too busy today to watch, but nosy enough to want to know… scroll on. We will even give you a few talking points so you can text your friends about it. And we already lied, there is still one open spot on the men’s side that you the viewers will get to decide through the fan vote (link at the bottom). Choose wisely.

Torgeir Bergrem v. Raibu Katayama:
This was one of the most anticipated Duels of the winter, and quite honestly, we think this could’ve been a coin flip, but alas, Norway’s Torgeir Bergrem flew to Raibu’s home country and took him out at Myoko. Mabye Raibu should have tried tossing in a few curse words to turn the tide. Bleeps and falls are always funny. A handful of runs in a mix of powder, brush and avalanche barriers. Honestly, the episode is pretty entertaining overall with a good amount of BTS in the beginning of the crew running around Japan. Maybe w are also just bit jealous because we are the only ones that didn’t get to Japan this season. Stellar riding from both snowboarders but in the end, it’s Tor who will advance on to Revelstoke in early March and get a shot at redemption on the tour.
Winner: Torgeir

Kevin Backstrom v. Sebbe De Buck:
Cue the Red Bull can open! Location two of six might be one of the most beautiful destinations, even without a ton of snow. One of the crown jewels in the Capita crown vs. fellow Beyond Medals stand out. With variable snow conditions (to say the least), Kevin Backstrom and Sebbe De Buck put on one hell of a show in Andermatt, Switzerland. A good amount of falls, but what are you going to do. Still looked good in the air, and still better than what 99% of riders could put down in that situation. Tweaking the traditional Duels format (we’re thinking due to snow quality), they broke the event up into two zones, but for us, it was KB’s double back tail grab that secured him the win and a spot in the live show in Revy. Go watch Casino if you haven’t yet.
Winner: Kevin Backstrom

Nils Mindnich v. Victor Daviet:
When we think of Durango, Colorado, we didn’t necessarily think of a Natural Selection Tour event… and with three smaller jumps as the course… we still don’t. Solid soundtrack though. And the snow looked pretty insane! Southwestern Colorado got nuked on in the middle of the window which seemed to add a bit to the episode, but definitely took away some speed. We guess it is a bit of a change up from the rest of the Duels as far as style and visuals, so there is that. In the end, Nils’s freestyle prowess gave him the win at Purgatory, knocking his Salomon teammate Victor out and advancing on to Revelstoke. We will be hyped to see what we know he can put down on whatever course/venue they have cooking up there.
Winner: Nils Mindnich

Jamie Anderson v. Emma Crosby:
Oh, look! Our very own T. Bird was in front of the camera hosting this one. The veteran vs. the rookie. Jamie Anderson and Emma Crosby battled stout in one of the most unique venues of this year’s Duels. A wide-open face with a multitude of freestyle options at Crested Butte, Colorado called the Land of Many Names. Jamie calls it mini Alaska, and the Duel was held on Super Bowl Sunday, pretty big booking. While Jamie’s consistency in a competitive setting gave her the win, we were incredibly impressed with Emma’s approach, style and confidence in the first big contest of her young and burgeoning career. Both took a different line every time and upped the ante with each drop. However, Jamie will move on to Revy and she heads north as one of the odds-on favorites to take the whole crown.
Winner: Jamie Anderson

Red Gerard v. Austen Sweetin:
The cat trip up looked nicer than any limo or party bus in existence. If the operation gave NST a deal for good advertising, this one was well worth it. Somebody get us a number for this Irwin operation. This one could’ve gone either way in our opinion. Red coming off an X Games gold and Austen just emerging out of the PNW by his own incredible leg strength met down in Crested Butte/Irwin, CO for their battle. Both Red and Austen rode incredibly well and while we cannot guess why the judges gave Sweetin the slight advantage, both of these dudes ripped and could’ve advanced on to the big show.
Winner: Austen Sweetin

Mary Rand v. Spencer O’Brien:
Two of the most exciting backcountry snowboarders alive, Mary Rand and Spencer O’Brien went head-to-head at Red Mountain, BC. Similar to KB and De Buck, they broke their Duel into two zones (again, guessing due to snow quality) and it was too close to call for us when the riding in the episode ended. Either name could’ve popped up when the edit concluded, but it was Mary Rand who edged out Spencer and is headed to Revy.
Winner: Mary Rand

DUELS Extra Selection:
One final rider will be selected by the public in an Extra Selection fan vote. Heading into Revelstoke, the Natural Selection team left one spot on the men’s side open and want you to vote for your favorite DUELer who did not advance to Revelstoke. It’s simple: Head HERE to cast your vote (once the voting is open) for the male rider who lost their DUEL that you would like to see advance to the big show in Revelstoke. Voting ends on March 3rd, so be sure to cast your vote in time to get them to Revy!