On March 8th, a day celebrated globally as Women’s Day, we pay homage to the indomitable spirit of women who have left an indelible mark in the realm of adventure sports. These women, through their grit, determination, and sheer passion, have shattered stereotypes and overcome formidable challenges to carve their names in history.
Núria Picas, mountain runner and trail runner
Núria Picas, hailing from Catalonia, is renowned as a mountain and trail runner. Her journey in sports began early, exploring the rugged terrain of Montserrat Natural Park. With numerous victories in mountain races during the early 2010s, she caught the eye of the Catalan national mountain running team.
Despite setbacks, including a climbing injury, her determination never wavered. Joining the Buff Pro Team in 2012 further solidified her status in the mountain racing community. In a remarkable comeback, she triumphed at the Ultra Pyrenees wind horse race in September 2022, setting a new personal record. Núria’s resilience and commitment serve as an inspiration to athletes worldwide, showcasing the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Via Instagram @nuriapicasoficial
Dorothy Hoffner
Dorothy Hoffner, born in 1918, was originally from Chicago (USA). She is known in the world of outdoor sports for being the longest woman in the world to have skydived, doing this feat at the age of 104.
She became a true skydiving enthusiast when she decided to go skydiving for the first time at the age of 100. The jump that earned her the Guinness World Record was a tandem jump. She did it southwest of Chicago, in the state of Illinois, accompanied by a certified flight instructor. She launched herself into the void at a height of 4,100 metres and the jump lasted about 7 minutes. As an anecdote, Dorothy arrived at the airfield on a walker, but that didn’t stop her from being the one who finally led the jump.
He also said he had other dreams to fulfil that also involved risk, such as flying in a hot air balloon before his 105th birthday.
Nouria Newman, kayakista
Nouria Newman is a French athlete who competes in canoeing in the slalom.
With only 32 years old, she has come to break all the gender stereotypes in this sport, and she has won everything aboard a kayak. She has won three extreme kayaking championships and is a double world champion in the slalom. When she is on the river she becomes a soloist, and her effort and tenacity are reflected in everything she achieves.
However, her greatest success was becoming the first woman to successfully jump off a waterfall over 30 metres high. It took her up to four years to find the perfect destination for this feat. Some of these falls are virtually inaccessible, but her eagerness to challenge the wildest whitewater paid off. At the Pucuno River Falls in Ecuador, he jumped from a height of 31 metres and 7 centimetres. This jump has become a female record in the history of this sport.
Via Instagram @nourianewman
Lynn Hill, climber
Lynn Hill is an American climber known for being one of the top sport climbers during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It marked a before and after in the climbing world.
She was a sport enthusiast from a young age, and at just 18, she was already the first woman to chain an eighth-grade Ophir Broke in Colorado.
From 1986 to 1992 she positioned herself as one of the best climbers of the time with more than 30 international titles, including 5 victories in the Arco Rock Master.
In 1991 she achieved a new record, being the first woman to chain an 8B+ route with Masse Critique in Cimai, France.
But just when it seemed he had it all, he came back to surprise. In 1993, he achieved what was considered a world climbing milestone and changed the history of the sport. No one had ever free climbed The Nose, the most demanding ascent of El Capitan, Yosemite. A climb of more than 900 metres of rock that she managed to conquer in less than 23 hours. An unprecedented achievement that culminated her 18-year climbing career as the first person to do such a feat.
Via Instagram @_linacolina_
Libby Riddles, musher
Libby Riddles, an American dog musher, made history on March 20, 1985, by becoming the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Her victory shattered gender barriers in extreme sports, proving that women are just as capable as men. Riddles’ triumph, after years of dedication and overcoming setbacks, remains an inspiring example of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges.