THE FWT19 CALENDAR
In 2019, Freeride World Tour (FWT) athletes will return to five of the most challenging and pristine freeride venues the globe has to offer.
50 of the world's best freeriders in four categories – ski men, ski women, snowboard men, and snowboard women – will face-off in big mountain arenas spanning across three continents for their chance to be Freeride World Champion. Following the fourth stop in Vallnord-Arcalís (Andorra) only riders holding enough points will have the opportunity to compete in the final stop in Verbier, Switzerland in March.
With an incredible lineup of riders already confirmed - from hungry rookies, hard charging veterans and legendary wild cards such as Tanner Hall (USA) and Victor De Le Rue (FRA) - the FWT19 is shaping up to be an epic show.
And without further ado, the FWT19 calendar:
1) HAKUBA, JAPAN - THE WINTER BEGINS
JANUARY 19-26, 2019
2) KICKING HORSE GOLDEN BC, CANADA - TIME TO GET ROWDY
FEBRUARY 02-08, 2019
3) FIEBERBRUNN, AUSTRIA - HOLD THE LINE
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019
4) VALLNORD-ARCALÍS, ANDORRA - CRUNCH TIME
MARCH 02-08, 2019
5) VERBIER, SWITZERLAND - THE GRANDE FINALE
MARCH 23 - 31, 2019
Don't miss any rider news and competition information. Follow FWT social media channels and stay tuned to www.freerideworldtour.com as the competition season approaches!
Photo courtesy of Freeride World Tour, copyright D.Daher
FWT 19 ATHLETE ROSTER
Defending FWT champions, hungry rookies and freeride legends join the tour as season wildcards to make up the talent packed FWT19 rider roster, which became official today.
48 of the world's best (in four categories - 10 Ski Women, 22 Ski Men, 7 Snowboard Women and 9 Snowboard Men) will battle it out at five world renowned venues spanning three continents for their chance to stand on the podium. With such an extraordinary pool of athletes FWT19 is shaping up to be an extremely exciting and high-level competition.
SKI WOMEN
Arianna Tricomi (ITA) will be back for FWT19 looking to defend her title while continuing to push the boundaries for female freeriders. Hedvig Wessel (NOR) and Maude Besse (SUI) will join the tour as season wildcards keen to prove that they have what it takes to claim podium spots. Rookies to watch will be Juliette Willmann (FRA) and Jacqueline Pollard (USA) who both earned their spots on the FWT19 thanks to their strong performances on the FWQ.
SKI MEN
Kristoffer Turdell (SWE) will have his work cut out for him this season. Wildcards Drew Tabke (USA), two time world champion in freeriding discipline, Tanner Hall (USA), backcountry freestyle pioneer, and the always dangerous Aymar Navarro (ESP), are all looking to dethrone the FWT18 champion. With big results on the FWQ, Wadeck Gorak (FRA), Konstantin Ottner (GER), Hank Bilous (NZL), Andrew Polslard (USA), Tom Peiffer (CAN) and Liam Peiffer (CAN) will compete amongst the world's best.
SNOWBOARD MEN
The big question for this category is if someone will be able to stop Sammy Luebke (USA) from claiming his fourth consecutive FWT title. Big mountain specialist, Victor De Le Rue (FRA) the season wildcard and rookies, Chrisopher Galvin (USA) and Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA) will certainly be hoping to end Luebke's historic run.
SNOWBOARD WOMEN
Manuela Mandl (AUT) will be back on tour and hungry as ever to defend her world title. However, season wildcard, Wakana Hama (JPN) and rookies, Maria Kuzma (NZL) and Nicole Kelly (CAN) who earned their spots from the FWQ will make progression and strong riding a must for any rider hoping to win podiums in this category.