The all-women “Wild Women” adventure racing team made history by winning a major international adventure race, triumphing over teams comprising men half their age. Composed of Kim Beckinsale, Alina McMaster, Del Lloyd, and Cass Kimlin, the team blazed a trail through the 2024 Legend Adventure Race near Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. The victory is particularly significant as no all-women’s team had ever won a major international event in the sport, which has a 35-year history primarily featuring mixed-gender teams.
Kim Beckinsale, at 56, surpassed her expectations, leading her team to victory with a strategy focused on “smart” racing rather than just speed. The team competed against younger competitors, including the all-male MMI The Band, in a grueling 450km race that involved trekking, mountain biking, and kayaking through challenging terrains.
Despite their groundbreaking accomplishment, the all-women team was not eligible for the main prize — a free entry to the World Championship — due to the race’s traditional preference for mixed-gender teams. The prize went to the highest-ranked mixed-gender team, Blunder Bus.
This rule has sparked discussions about gender equality in adventure racing, with some advocating for changes to allow single-gender teams to vie for top prizes. Commentators argue that the current mixed-team setup often results in a token inclusion of women and does not reflect genuine gender equity.
Despite mixed opinions within the sport, the Wild Women embraced their victory, highlighting the strength that lay in their cooperation and unique dynamics as an all-women team. They demonstrated resilience, employing humor and teamwork to surmount challenges like exhaustion and physical setbacks.
Organisers have indicated that the rules requiring mixed-gender teams for top recognition will remain unchanged, though an all-women’s race is set to be introduced in Queensland. Undeterred, the Wild Women are preparing to defend their title in Tasmania at the next World Racing Series.
Kim Beckinsale, who once faced skepticism about her age in triathlons, emphasized the importance of encouraging more women to participate in adventure racing, proving that age and gender should not be barriers to success.
