Being Vicki Golden, in photos
Being Vicki Golden
In 2013, Vicki Golden drew attention at X Games for becoming the first female to earn an invitation to a freestyle Moto X event at the X Games when she was invited to compete at Moto X Best Whip at X Games Los Angeles 2013. Alongside names such as Jeremy Stenberg and Josh Hansen, Golden held her own and earned a bronze medal in Moto X Best Whip. And in the time since, Golden has taken the motocross world by storm. On Sunday, August 30, Vicki Golden will be featured on ABC's "World of X Games" as part of the "Being" series. This is the story of her rise through the ranks.
In 2013, Vicki Golden drew attention at X Games for becoming the first female to earn an invitation to a freestyle Moto X event at the X Games when she was invited to compete at Moto X Best Whip at X Games Los Angeles 2013. Alongside names such as Jeremy Stenberg and Josh Hansen, Golden held her own and earned a bronze medal in Moto X Best Whip. And in the time since, Golden has taken the motocross world by storm. On Sunday, August 30, Vicki Golden will be featured on ABC's "World of X Games" as part of the "Being" series. This is the story of her rise through the ranks.
Breaking barriers
Vicki Golden is used to breaking gender barriers. In 2011, she became the first female to qualify for an Arenacross Lites class main event. In 2013, she was the first woman to join the Metal Mulisha. In 2014, she did it again, becoming the first woman to complete in Ricky Carmichael's Road to Supercross. She is one of five women to earn three consecutive gold medals at the Summer X Games events.
Vicki Golden is used to breaking gender barriers. In 2011, she became the first female to qualify for an Arenacross Lites class main event. In 2013, she was the first woman to join the Metal Mulisha. In 2014, she did it again, becoming the first woman to complete in Ricky Carmichael's Road to Supercross. She is one of five women to earn three consecutive gold medals at the Summer X Games events.
The early starter
Golden, seen here as an early prodigy at 16, navigates Turn 1 during the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the start of the Women's Moto #1 at Thunder Valley Motocross track. This was in the summer of 2009, and since then, Golden has become an inspiration to thousands of aspiring female motocross racers.
Golden, seen here as an early prodigy at 16, navigates Turn 1 during the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the start of the Women's Moto #1 at Thunder Valley Motocross track. This was in the summer of 2009, and since then, Golden has become an inspiration to thousands of aspiring female motocross racers.
Follow the leader
Vicki Golden takes the lead during the Women's Moto X Racing at Summer X Games 17 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. "The things I want to do happen to be the things the guys are doing, and I've never been afraid to go up against them to get to where I want to be," Golden says.
Vicki Golden takes the lead during the Women's Moto X Racing at Summer X Games 17 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. "The things I want to do happen to be the things the guys are doing, and I've never been afraid to go up against them to get to where I want to be," Golden says.
The picture of focus
"I want to be involved in X Games any way I can because that's the only place where the women get treated as equals, and it's where the best of the best are on the starting line. They only pick the select few who belong there, and that's how it should be," Golden says.
"I want to be involved in X Games any way I can because that's the only place where the women get treated as equals, and it's where the best of the best are on the starting line. They only pick the select few who belong there, and that's how it should be," Golden says.
Best Whip
Golden earned bronze competing against men in Moto X Best Whip at X Games Los Angeles 2013. "I feel like there's more pressure on me because I'm, I guess, the outcast," Golden said at the time.
Golden earned bronze competing against men in Moto X Best Whip at X Games Los Angeles 2013. "I feel like there's more pressure on me because I'm, I guess, the outcast," Golden said at the time.
Earning respect
"She rides better than most dudes," said fellow Moto X Best Whip competitor Jeremy Stenberg at X Games Los Angeles 2013. Stenberg edged ahead of Golden in the same competition, earning silver at the time, but his respect for Golden's skills did not go unnoticed.
"She rides better than most dudes," said fellow Moto X Best Whip competitor Jeremy Stenberg at X Games Los Angeles 2013. Stenberg edged ahead of Golden in the same competition, earning silver at the time, but his respect for Golden's skills did not go unnoticed.
Breaking more barriers
In early 2015, 22-year-old Golden became the first woman to make the final of a Monster Energy Supercross race, lining up in the start gate elbow-to-elbow with some of the best men in the sport.
In early 2015, 22-year-old Golden became the first woman to make the final of a Monster Energy Supercross race, lining up in the start gate elbow-to-elbow with some of the best men in the sport.
No matter what
"No matter what place I'm in, whether it's a qualifying spot or not, the guy behind me doesn't want to get beat by a girl, so he'll do whatever it takes to get around me," Golden says.
"No matter what place I'm in, whether it's a qualifying spot or not, the guy behind me doesn't want to get beat by a girl, so he'll do whatever it takes to get around me," Golden says.
Eyeing up the competition
Earlier this year, Golden looked to expand her horizons into Moto X Step Up qualifying for X Games Austin 2015. Although she failed to qualify, her eyes are clearly on expanding her horizons into other areas of motocross.
Earlier this year, Golden looked to expand her horizons into Moto X Step Up qualifying for X Games Austin 2015. Although she failed to qualify, her eyes are clearly on expanding her horizons into other areas of motocross.
Boosting over
Golden boosts to impressive heights in the early rounds of competition at the X Games Moto X Step Up qualifiers in Las Vegas in May of 2015, well exceeding the initial heights to the roar of the crowd.
Golden boosts to impressive heights in the early rounds of competition at the X Games Moto X Step Up qualifiers in Las Vegas in May of 2015, well exceeding the initial heights to the roar of the crowd.
Supercross practice
"I'm not afraid to throw some elbows, and I know some of the guys are probably a little timid to do it because I'm a girl," Golden says. "It sucks to be on the wrong end, but if they're gonna come my way, it's pretty sweet to get in there and grease it up. I'm not afraid to go against the men."
"I'm not afraid to throw some elbows, and I know some of the guys are probably a little timid to do it because I'm a girl," Golden says. "It sucks to be on the wrong end, but if they're gonna come my way, it's pretty sweet to get in there and grease it up. I'm not afraid to go against the men."
To the future
Talented Golden looks to the future and breaking down further barriers, but while her detractors see her sex as a handicap -- "I'll never please the keyboard warriors," she said -- Golden views being the only woman on the track as a possible advantage. "Being, Volume 3," featuring Vicki Golden, airs on Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m. ET on ABC.
Talented Golden looks to the future and breaking down further barriers, but while her detractors see her sex as a handicap -- "I'll never please the keyboard warriors," she said -- Golden views being the only woman on the track as a possible advantage. "Being, Volume 3," featuring Vicki Golden, airs on Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m. ET on ABC.
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