FREERIDE WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED

From Hakuba, Japan to Fieberbrunn Austria, stopping at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C. and Ordino Arcalís, Andorra on the way, athletes on the 2020 Freeride World Tour (FWT) showed what the world’s best have to offer. Thirsty for victory, the riders drew their lines down some of the most legendary faces, making this winter an epic season despite the obligatory cancellation of the Verbier Xtreme, the Grande Finale of the Freeride World Tour. As a result, the overall rankings for the 2020 season remains as it is. Here's the names of the 2020 Freeride World Champions in each category, as well as the athletes who have qualified for next year’s FWT…

Ski Men
Isaac Freeland (USA - 1st place) comes out on top thanks to his talent and his thirst as a newcomer on the tour. For the first time in his career, he is the Freeride World Tour Champion, in addition to undeniably winning the 2020 Rookie of the Year award. The 2018 World Champion, Kristofer Turdell (SWE - 2nd Place), came close to reclaiming his title and finished second overall. The American Andrew Pollard (USA - 3rd Place) took third place in the overall ranking after taking Rookie of the Year in 2019, improving his performance and remaining near the top of the overall rankings.

Check out the overall rankings and the full list of riders who have qualified for the 2021 FWT.

Ski Women
Arianna Tricomi (ITA - 1st Place) wins the World Champion title for the third time in her career! The Italian, who was injured following the Kicking Horse stop, did not give up the race for the world title. Unstoppable, she put her skis back on for the two European stages and went on to win the Triple World Champion Title. She was closely followed by Hedvig Wessel (NOR - 2nd Place), who consistently showed her freestyle talents throughout the season. On the Tour since 2013, Jaclyn Paaso (USA - 3rd Place) was not to be easily silenced. The American has been quietly racking up points all season and climbed to third place in the overall 2020 ranking. The 2020 Rookie of the Year award goes to skier Jessica Hotter (NZL - 4th Place), who proved time and again her high level of commitment and performance throughout the season.

Check out the overall rankings and the full list of riders who have qualified for the 2021 FWT.

Snowboard Women
Triple World Champion, Marion Haerty (FRA - 1st Place) seems untouchable. Thanks to her first place finish at the first two stops of the Tour and in Fieberbrunn, the Frenchwoman had clinched her title before Verbier. Her direct rival, Australian Michaela Davis-Meehan (AUS - 2nd Place), showed her talents in Ordino Arcalís, which earned her second place in the overall rankings. They are closely followed by the determined Erika Vikander (USA - 3rd Place) in third place on the podium.

Check out the overall rankings and the full list of riders who have qualified for the 2021 FWT.

Snowboard Men
A wildcard for the 2020 season, Nils Mindnich (USA - 1st Place) leaves the world of freeride in awe. With the Ordino Arcalís staged for snowboarders in Fieberbrunn, Austria, Nils completed two runs on the Wildseeloder face, and came out on top in both. With a podium finish already under his belt in Hakuba, Japan, Mindnich held the lead in the race for the world title and lifted the World Champion trophy for the first time in his career. He was closely followed by two snowboarding prodigies: the 2019 World Champion, Victor De Le Rue (FRA - 2nd Place), and Sammy Luebke (USA - 3rd Place), triple World Champion and Tour legend for the past six years.

Check out the overall rankings and the full list of riders who have qualified for the 2021 FWT.

While Verbier has the best snow conditions for the season, and the ever-beautiful Bec stands proud amidst the white peaks, the Verbier Xtreme will not be hosting the world's best this year. But rest assured that all the athletes on-site will be paying tribute to the legendary mountain.

Follow Freeride World Tour athletes and all the upcoming information on the 2021 FWT lineup on freerideworldtour.com and their social channels (@freerideworldtour).