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Official Press Release From The Freeride World Tour
The world epicenter of freeride by Europe’s highest mountain, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, is confirmed as the season opener with an exciting program.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France – January 15, 2015 – The extreme mountains of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and the town’s many freeride aficionados will once again see the world’s best freeriders dropping in from the famous Swatch starting gate that marks the seemingly inaccessible peaks of all FWT competition faces on D-day.
Watch the FWT Chamonix-Mont-Blanc teaser here
Fans around the world can watch the action live of the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC BY THE NORTH FACE® (FWT) on www.freerideworldtour.com. The event live webcast will be hosted by commentator Dave Mailman (USA) and freeride specialist Martin Winkler (AUT). Both will bring their great expertise to explain the runs, results, athletes profiles and behind the scene stories. The live coverage is scheduled to begin at 9 AM CET the day of competition.
Program
Friday 23rd January
The event village in downtown Chamonix-Mont-Blanc opens on Friday, January 23 featuring various games and shows at the Place Balmat – Triangle de l’Amitié. ABS Airbag will be hosting public beacon search workshops and at 4.30pm there will be an autograph session with all the riders until the Opening Ceremony starts at 5pm with the bib draw.
Saturday 24th January
The FWT contest is scheduled for 9am-1pm at the Brévent – Flégère sector (more details to be released 36 hours before the competition), with a prize giving ceremony in the village on the main stage at 5pm. The competition can be followed live on a giant screen in the event village or directly on the mountain in the public viewing area. An official party will also be hosted by FWT partner, Mons Royale at La Terrasse, starting at 12am (public access).
Sunday 25th January
On Sunday its showtime for the juniors of the Freeride Junior Tour by Dakine. This will also to be held at the Brévent – Flégère 9am-1pm. It is a great occasion to watch the future of freeriding live and enjoy the great atmosphere cheering on the rookies! The official Juniors prize giving ceremony will be held at Place Balmat at 4pm.
Freeride Expo village: both Friday and Saturday there will be an FWT Ski and Snowboard Test at Télécabine Planpraz, which is open to the public.
The Freeride World Tour riders are itching to get started. Unfortunately it will be without the defending champions in both women’s skiing, Nadine Wallner (AUT) and men’s snowboard, Emilien Badoux (SUI), as they are both recovering from injuries sustained in the off season. Emilien says he has a good chance of being back for the third stop Vallnord-Arcalis, (AND). Nadine had to have a follow-up surgery on her knee in the fall and is only keeping a slight hope to be ready for the Xtreme Verbier at the end of the season: “Now I´m doing well! I have been back on skis for three weeks, but I still have to take care! My last surgery was just one and a half months ago. The second surgery was my best decision and really necessary! The last surgery just happened too close to the first stop in Chamonix!”
Last year’s runner-up, Lorraine Huber (AUT) has also faced adversity but confirms that she’ll be ready: “Unfortunately, I injured my ankle after skiing against a hidden rock on December 26th… Although this has in effect cut my on-snow training before Chamonix down to a few days, I’m still just so happy to be able to start in Chamonix and Fieberbrunn and can’t wait to get back on snow.”
In France the snow came late as well and defending FWT Champion in men’s skiing, Loïc Collomb-Patton (FRA) also feels the itch: “I spent some days with my partner in December, I have not skied much because the conditions were not good. For the first week of the holidays, I worked for the ski school in La Clusaz. Then the snow came and I could finally start training myself! I cannot wait to arrive in Chamonix, to find everyone and especially race again!!!”
Popular FWT snowboarder, Ralph Backstrom (USA) has had a bit of head start thanks to a stunt – literally – that took him to the backcountry of Courmayeur: “I’ve been getting ready for the FWT and season in numerous ways. Fitness and snowboarding have of course been part of my preparation, and I was in Courmayeur in November finishing up some stunt double work for a remake of the Hollywood film “Point Break”. Just being in the Alps was great mental preparation.”
After the event in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the show heads immediately to stop number two of the tour, Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, Austria, as the riders continue the battle for their share of this year’s 400,000+ USD prize money.
SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR 2015 BY THE NORTH FACE®
Event calendar and Cut
1. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC BY THE NORTH FACE®
Date: Jan. 24, 2015; Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FRA
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
2. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR FIEBERBRUNN KITZBÜHELER ALPEN
BY THE NORTH FACE®
Date: Jan. 31, 2015; Location: Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, AUT
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
3. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR VALLNORD ARCALIS – ANDORRA
BY THE NORTH FACE®
Date: Feb 14, 2015; Location: Vallnord Arcalis, AND
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
The following cut takes place after event NO. 3:
– Top 16 Men Ski (from 28)
– Top 8 Men Snowboard (from 14)
– Top 7 Women Ski (from 14)
– Top 5 Women Snowboard (from 7)
Are qualified for FWT Alaska
4. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR HAINES – ALASKA
Date: March 14 (9-day weather period – March 14-22), 2015; Location: Haines, USA
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
The following cut takes place after event NO. 4:
– Top 12 Men Ski (from 16)
– Top 6 Men Snowboard (from 8)
– Top 6 Women Ski (from 7)
– Top 4 Women Snowboard (from 5)
Are qualified for FWT Verbier
5. SWATCH XTREME VERBIER BY THE NORTH FACE®
Date: March 28, 2015; Location: Verbier, SUI
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
Stay tuned to www.freerideworldtour.com to keep up with the latest news.
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