FREERIDE WORLD TOUR FIEBERBRUNN PREVIEW

Three stops down, only two to go—the 2022 Freeride World Tour (FWT) is more than halfway complete! Following the first three events in Spain, Andorra and Canada, the field of riders has been reduced by nearly half. The top-ranked riders who remain will now battle for the right to call themselves World Champion at the two FWT Finals events in Fieberbrunn, Austria (March 15th - 20th), and Verbier, Switzerland (March 26th - April 3rd). 

Adding even more excitement to the second-to-last chapter of the season are the wildcards for the upcoming event in Fieberbrunn, beginning with Finn Bilous (NZL), brother of former FWT standout, Hank Bilous. Fresh off competing in slopestyle and big air at the Olympic Games in Beijing, Bilous’ freestyle skills will be on display on Fieberbrunn’s legendary Wildseelodervenue. On the snowboarding side of things, taking an event wildcard is Werni Stock (AUT), a renowned professional rider from nearby Tux, Austria.

Currently leading the ranking for ski men is FWT rookie Maxime Chabloz (SUI). In the Ski Women category, Jess Hotter (NZL) is currently in the lead, followed closely by Lily Bradley (USA) and Olivia McNeill (CAN). World title-favourites Elizabeth Gerritzen (SUI) and Hedvig Wessel (NOR) trail in the points race, but remain within striking distance. Except for a few big upsets, results in the snowboard categories have been less volatile, with strong riders rising to the top after the first three stops. Both Erika Vikander (USA) and Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA) lead the snowboard women’s category, while Camille Armand (FRA) is currently far ahead of his rivals on the men’s side of things.

The FWT Finals isn’t the only important series happening during the remaining weeks of winter. The Freeride World Qualifier Finals are also underway, where FWT riders who fell below the cut following the last event at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C. will meet top-ranked FWQ riders in a battle for the limited qualification spots for the 2023 FWT.

Live event broadcasts and in-depth coverage for the upcoming FWT events in Austria and Switzerland, as well as the FWQ Finals, are available exclusively at www.freerideworldtour.com. And for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, be sure to check out the FWT Podcast; Episode 6 is now available. And as always, follow along on Instagram and Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates and content!