forbes.com
The Uninvited Invitational Expands, Showcases Growth of Women's Snowboarding
Jess Kimura's The Uninvited Invitational, a snowboarding competition for women and non-binary athletes, expanded from a $40,000 prize purse and 65 riders in 2023 to $60,000 and 75 riders in 2025, showcasing Kimura's dedication to increasing opportunities for women in snowboarding and fostering a supportive environment.
- What is the impact of Jess Kimura's The Uninvited Invitational on the representation and opportunities for women in snowboarding?
- Jess Kimura, a professional snowboarder, created The Uninvited Invitational, an annual snowboarding competition for women and non-binary riders, which grew from 65 participants and a $40,000 prize purse in 2023 to 75 participants and a $60,000 purse in 2025. The event's success highlights Kimura's impact on increasing opportunities for women in snowboarding.
- How does The Uninvited Invitational address the historical gender disparity within the snowboarding industry, and what are its effects on the athletes involved?
- Kimura's event directly addresses the historical underrepresentation of women in action sports. By providing a supportive environment with significant prize money and resources, The Uninvited fosters growth and challenges the traditional scarcity mindset, leading to increased participation and sponsorship opportunities for female athletes. The competition's expansion and positive feedback demonstrate its effectiveness in promoting gender equity.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of The Uninvited Invitational on the snowboarding industry's culture, competition landscape, and future inclusivity initiatives?
- The Uninvited Invitational's continued growth and evolution suggest a broader shift in the snowboarding industry towards greater inclusivity and gender equality. Future iterations could expand further geographically, attract more sponsors, and possibly influence other action sports to adopt similar models. The event's positive impact on young riders' careers and self-belief is significant.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article is framed positively towards Jess Kimura and her initiative, The Uninvited Invitational. The narrative emphasizes Kimura's achievements and the event's success, showcasing it as a groundbreaking effort to promote gender equality in snowboarding. While this positive framing is understandable given the event's significance, it might unintentionally overshadow potential criticisms or limitations of the event or broader issues within the snowboarding industry. The headline, while not explicitly provided, likely contributes to this positive framing, given the article's overall tone.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and celebratory, but there are instances of potentially loaded terms. Phrases like "squeezed every lemon life had ever given her dry" might be considered overly dramatic and subjective, although conveying Kimura's resilience. Similarly, repeatedly referring to The Uninvited as "groundbreaking" is a positive framing. Suggesting more neutral alternatives, such as "innovative," "influential," or "successful" would enhance objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Jess Kimura and The Uninvited Invitational, potentially omitting other significant events or initiatives promoting women in snowboarding. While acknowledging the event's importance, a broader perspective on the overall landscape of women's snowboarding could provide a more complete picture. The article also doesn't delve into the challenges Kimura faced in securing sponsorships or the financial hurdles of organizing such a large-scale event.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Uninvited Invitational, founded by Jess Kimura, directly addresses gender inequality in snowboarding by creating a competition specifically for women and non-binary riders. It provides equal opportunities, prize money, and a supportive environment, challenging the historical lack of representation and resources for women in action sports. The event's success and positive feedback highlight its significant impact on promoting gender equality within the snowboarding industry.