FWT CHALLENGER REGION 1 ROSTER ANNOUNCED
After a scintillating three events of the 2023 Freeride World Tour (FWT), the cut has condensed the main roster to the best of the best, with the remaining riders offered a place in the FWT Challenger. Here, they will have the chance to re-qualify for the 2024 FWT, along with the top riders from the FWT Qualifier.
The FWT Qualifier has been as exciting as ever, showcasing the true progression of the sport at all tiers. Despite the low snow levels across Europe, resulting in the cancellation of two 4* events—Engadin and Montafon—fresh freeride talent from all over the globe has been on display, and these up-and-coming riders certainly look to have what it takes to make the big league. These athletes will face off against the relegated FWT riders for their spot on the the 2024 FWT at the following events:
• Nendaz, Switzerland, March 4th - 8th
• Jasna, Slovakia, March 9th - 13th
• Gurgl, Austria, March 17th - 22nd
And, without further ado, here is the FWT Challenger roster for Region 1—Europe and Oceania:
FWT Qualifier Top RidersSKI MEN
Martin Bender (SUI)
Paul Dentan (SUI)
Virgile Didier (FRA)
Leo Drouet (FRA)
Alexis Dumas (FRA)
Victor Hale-Woods (SUI)
Tenra Katsuno (JPN)
Blake Marshall (NZL)
Maximilien Michel (FRA)
Edvin Olsson (SWE)
Benjamin Pichler (AUT)
Nemo Plagne (FRA)
Lalo Rambaud (FRA)
Ben Richards (NZL)
Gen Sasaki (JPN)
Gabin Siau (FRA)
Jean Tonnelier (FRA)
Ugo Troubat (FRA)
Sébastien Varlet (FRA)
Nils Wersèn (SWE)
Yuhei Yamada (JPN)
SKI WOMEN
Eva Battolla (SUI)
India Cairns (GBR)
Léa Chapuis (FRA)
Astrid Cheylus (FRA)
Rachel Little (GBR)
Sanne Mona (SWE)
Petra Ohlson (SWE)
Yui Ohno (JPN)
Elly Olsson (SWE)
Clemence Philippart (FRA)
Chisato Sasada (JPN)
Zuzanna Witych (POL)
SNOWBOARD WOMEN
Melissa Brandner (GBR)
Nuria Castan Baron (ESP)
Mikaela Hollsten (FIN)
Zoe Macgeorge (SUI)
Anna Martinez (FRA)
Joanna Stock (FRA)
Celina Weber (GER)
SNOWBOARD MEN
Sacha Balicco (FRA)
Rémi Benamo (SUI)
Christophe Charlet (FRA)
Eliot Dänzer (SUI)
Florian Handschuh (AUT)
Rei Igarashi (JPN)
Niklas Meindl (SUI)
Julien Pichel (SUI)
Timm Schröder (GER)
Hugo Serra (FRA)
Ronan Thompson (NZL)
Jakob Weger (ITA)
Asato Yoshida (JPN)
Loic Lorcher (FRA)
Yusuke Toyoma (JPN)
Who will earn their place alongside the world’s best in 2024? Tune in to find out, as all FWT Challenger events will be broadcast live at freerideworldtour.com. In the meantime, stay tuned to the FWT’s social channels (@freerideworldtour) for all the latest updates as they drop.