FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BAQUEIRA BERET RECAP

Saturday was a historic day for the sport of freeride skiing and snowboarding, as the first stop of the 2022 Freeride World Tour (FWT) ran to successful completion in Baqueira Beret, Spain. With spectacular conditions, an electric local crowd in attendance, and mind-blowing performances, the event marked the first-ever FWT event in Spain.


Max Palm. Photo by Dom Daher / Freeride World Tour

With a deep regional snowpack, but challenging weather conditions during the week preceding the event, organizers and athletes were nonetheless able to find beautiful snow on Baqueira Beret’s Baciver venue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDwqndHhCNw

Starting the day was the Women’s Snowboard category, in which veteran Erika Vikander (USA) achieved a blazing start to her season, with smooth riding and a sequence of stylish airs that allowed her to take the win—her first event victory in her career. Coming in 2nd was Spanish rider Núria Castán Barón (ESP), who was followed in 3rd by Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA).


Photo by Jeremy Bernard / Freeride World Tour

Women’s Snowboard Results

1) Erika Vikander
2) Núria Castan Baron
3) Tiphanie Perrotin
4) Manuela Mandl
5) Katie Anderson
6) Claire McGregor

“I’m thrilled to get my first win ever! My approach was to keep it playful and fun, and show what I love most about snowboarding. I’m also proud of all the girls—any one of us could have won today.” –Erika Vikander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1y6Tg1nJ-E

Men’s Snowboard followed, with Michael Mawn (USA) taking the top spot with multiple tricks spread out across a creative, powerful line. Despite losing his spot on the World Tour in 2021, he was able to regain qualification through the Freeride World Qualifier the very same season, with his win clearly demonstrated his rightful place amongst the world’s best. Camille Armand (FRA) and Cody Bramwell (UK) rounded out the Men’s Snowboard podium.


Photo by Jeremy Bernard / Freeride World Tour

Men’s Snowboard Results

1) Michael Mawn
2) Camille Armand
3) Cody Bramwell
4) Ludovic Guillot-Diat
5) Victor De Le Rue
6) Mathieu Martineau
7) Manuel Diaz
8) Blake Moller
9) Pau Riba Arjona

“I’m so grateful for this result, and also for the chance to ride with these amazing athletes. It might be an individual sport, but it was a huge team effort that allowed me to be here. My line went just as I wanted it to; it felt amazing.” –Michael Mawn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je_fz7WcTfo

In Women’s Ski, Olivia McNeill (CAN) made a stunning comeback to the FWT after suffering an injury in 2021. The young Canadian seamlessly connected two massive airs, showing clean, aggressive technique to convincingly take the victory in her category. In 2nd was Hedvig Wessel (NOR), followed in 3rd third by Zuzanna Witych (POL).


Photo by Jeremy Bernard / Freeride World Tour

Women’s Ski Results

1) Olivia McNeill
2) Hedvig Wessel
3) Zuzanna Witych
4) Juliette Willmann
5) Tracy Chubb
6) Sybille Blanjean
7) Lily Bradley
8) Lexi Dupont
9) Elisabeth Gerritzen
10) Jessica Hotter
11) Jacqueline Pollard

“I worked really hard to get back here after my injury, which made it feel extra-special to land a clean run. My goals are just to requalify and ski runs that I’m proud of, so winning today definitely exceeded my expectations. I’m especially excited for Kicking Horse, conditions in Canada have been amazing so far this season. “ –Olivia McNeill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF_ytro5YBI

And absolutely stealing the show was 19 year-old Max Palm (SWE), who won Men’s Ski with the first-ever successful double backflip in FWT history. He followed this stunning maneuver with more freestyle elements, all backed by rock-solid, energetic skiing from top to bottom. Palm was closely followed in second place by local rookie, Abel Moga (ESP) and Craig Murray (NZL) in third, who, despite incredible runs of their own, could not match the young Swede’s historic performance. Immediately following the results, Palm (who competed in Spain as a single-event wildcard) received notification that he was invited to compete on the entire season of the Tour.


Photo by Jeremy Bernard / Freeride World Tour

Men’s Ski Results

1) Max Palm
2) Abel Moga
3) Craig Murray
4) Carl Regnér Eriksson
5) Maxime Chabloz
6) Wadeck Gorak
7) Kristofer Turdell
8) Andrew Pollard
9) Jack Nichols
10) Blake Marshall
11) Valentin Rainer
12) Isaac Freeland
13) Maël Ollivier
14) Leo Slemett
15) Cooper Bathgate
16) Ross Tester
17) Reine Barkered
18) Jamesa Hampton
19) Kevin Nichols
20) Grifen Moller
21) Aymar Navarro

“Coming here as an event Wildcard really took the pressure off, and it let me focus on making a run that would make me happy and proud. I already lived my biggest dream this morning by just getting the chance to start in an FWT competition. To win the event is beyond what I ever imagined was possible.” –Max Palm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMCgKjb_Ls0

With the first event in the books and the initial world ranking established, athletes will have a short time to rest and prepare before the tour heads to Ordino Arcalís, Andorra on January 30th - February 5th for the second stop of the 2022 tour. Watch the event replay above, then stay tuned to freerideworldtour.com and @freerideworldtour for the continuation of 2022 FWT so you don’t miss a second of the action.

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