Freeride World Tour Alaska Recap
The remaining 27 qualified athletes of the Swatch Freeride World Tour competed today on the so-called “dream stop” and last competition before the season finale in Verbier, Switzerland. Always a highly anticipated event due to the renowned terrain and remote nature of the competition site, the level was exceptionally high today as riders exploited their final opportunity to earn points before the final.
Unsettled weather marked the days preceding the event but this morning the skies cleared and revealed nearly perfect snow conditions on the 760m vertical meter (2493ft) Alaskan face. Riders and spectators were treated to one of the most spectacular competitions in FWT history.
The story of today’s ski men field was the showdown between Frenchmen Loic Collomb-Patton and Leo Slemett. Collomb-Patton opened the men’s field with a powerful run, taking a large double-set into an impressive 360 high on the venue. Only two riders later, Slemett dropped into a similar line but executed a smoothly stomped backflip and finished strong in the lower venue. As a result of these finishes, the overall ranking features an unprecedented three-way tie with Kirstoffer Turdell whose day ended in a crash.
Competing among a field of strong skiers, phenom Arianna Tricomi commenced her line with big airs and continued with enough style to nudge Lorraine Huber’s similarly confident line into second place. Eva Walkner skied a playful line which kept the overall ranking in close contention for the finals in Verbier.
Men
1) Loic Collomb-Patton
2) Leo Slemett
3) Sam Lee
4) Reine Barkered
5) Yann Rausis
6) Ivan Malakhov
7) Fabio Studer
8) Ryan Faye
9) Drew Tabke
10) Conor Pelton
12) Kristofer Turdell
12) Logan Pehota
Women
1) Arianna Tricomi
2) Lorraine Huber
3) Eva Walkner
4) Hazel Birnbaum
5) Kylie Sivell
6) Jaclyn Paaso
As the FWT season reaches its climax, the world champions in the remaining three categories will be decided at the Xtreme Verbier on April 1-9th. Stay tuned to www.freerideworldtour.com and FWT social media channels for the latest event information and rider news.