FREERIDE WORLD TOUR ROSTER ANNOUNCED
This winter’s Freeride World Tour (FWT) will consist of five events and 44 riders, but these are merely numbers. The world-class spectacle would not be possible without the total commitment of the world’s best freeriders, ready to drop no matter the physical pain or mental pressure. Ready to drop regardless of the conditions Mother Nature dishes up on the day. Ready to drop to satisfy the seemingly unquenchable thirst of their audience, who feed off the next big trick or near-impossible line. For the past 16 years, each roster has brought the FWT to life, and this year’s list promises to do the same.
Ski Women
World Champion Jess Hotter–who was also recently nominated as the best female athlete in New Zealand–is back to defend her title, with eight others hot on her heels to take the crown. Whispers of the three-time FWT runner-up Hedvig Wessel returning to the action are also circulating. She is focusing on new projects, but could be back as an event wildcard.
• Jess Hotter (NZL)
• Olivia McNeill (CAN)
• Lily Bradley (USA)
• Sybille Blanjean (SUI)
• Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI)
• Megane Betend (FRA)
• Manon Loschi (FRA)
• Addison Rafford (USA)
• Delila Quinn (USA)
Ski Men
The battles are always intense in the ski men category, and World Champion Maxime Chabloz will have to fight off a talent-packed field– including the likes of Carl Regner and Max Palm–to be crowned again. Newcomer Max Hitzig, who won last year’s FWT Fieberbrunn event, is hungry for more podium finishes, as is the unyielding Mayor of Stomptown, Reine Barkered, returning as an injury wildcard
• Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
• Carl Regnér Eriksson (SWE)
• Ross Tester (USA)
• Kristofer Turdell (SWE)
• Andrew Pollard (USA)
• Jack Nichols (USA)
• Abel Moga (ESP)
• Léo Slemett (FRA)
• Max Palm (SWE)
• Craig Murray (NZL)
• Jamesa Hampton (NZL)
• Manu Barnard (NZL)
• Simon Perraudin (SUI)
• Max Hitzig (AUT)
• Valentin Rainer (AUT)
• Leif Mumma (USA)
• Jedidiah Kravitz (USA)
• Dillon Flinders (USA)
• Xander Guldman (USA)
• Reine Barkered (SWE)
Snowboard Men
The Sultan of Steeze, Blake Moller, will have his hands full trying to defend his title, with no shortage of new talent and seasoned legends in the mix. Watch out for Camille Armand–who is hungry to go one better than last year–as well as rookies Liam Riviera and Holden Samuels, and former FWT athlete Jonathan Penfield.
• Blake Moller (USA)
• Camille Armand (FRA)
• Cody Bramwell (GBR)
• Michael Mawn (USA)
• Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA)
• Gabriel Bletton (FRA)
• Liam Rivera (MEX)
• Holden Samuels (USA)
• Jonathan Penfield (USA)
Snowboard Women
Can Tiphanie Perrotin hold off a strong contingent and double down after winning the FWT in her rookie year? She will have to hold off 2022 FWT runner-Up Erika Vikander and the ever-impressive Manuela Mandl, who won Xtreme Verbier last year. Katie Anderson and Anna Orlova have also re-qualified, rounding out an extremely impressive female snowboard roster.
• Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA)
• Erika Vikander (USA)
• Manuela Mandl (AUT)
• Anna Orlova
• Katie Anderson (CAN)
There it is folks, 44 of the world’s best freeriders ready for battle. How will their qualifications translate to success in the big mountains? Whatever happens, every athlete always gives it their all, overcoming the mixed bag of emotions to deliver death-defying runs in awe-inspiring terrain. All FWT events will be live at freerideworldtour.com so you can see your favourite riders in action. Until then, stay tuned to the Freeride World Tour’s social channels (@freerideworldtour) for updates.