Athletes, crowds, vendors and a few hundred dogs flocked to Vail Village to take in the sun and fun at the 10th anniversary of the Teva Mountain Games. Considered the Vail Valley’s kickoff to summer, the four-day celebration of outdoor adventure sports, lifestyle and music is expected to attract up to 40,000 people.
“It’s really gratifying to see what this event has grown into,” said John Dakin, spokesman for the Vail Valley Foundation that took over the former grassroots event three years ago. “I think it’s just completely surpassed the original goal of this event, and it’s developed a life of its own.”
What began as a whitewater festival more than a decade ago has grown to represent eight sports, including the IFSC Bouldering World Cup, the only bouldering World Cup in the United States. Contests ranging from mountain biking and trail running to whitewater kayaking and stand-up paddle surfing have drawn competitors from as far as Hawaii and Russia. The fly-fishing competition sold out weeks in advance, while the “Mud Run” reached overflow capacity, and the 10K trail run included more than 400 racers. The dock diving dog competition also proved to be a crowd favorite.
Competition continues today with SUP surf cross, cycling, bouldering, raft racing and the always popular kayak “8 Ball Sprint.”
