The Extreme just finished up in Verbier, CH, and was once again an exciting show. Winners were Reine Barkered, Jonathan Charlet, Christine Hargin, and Maria Debari. All won both the Extreme today and the Overall Titles. Conditions looked good but not great on the Bec de Rosses. Numerous people were in both the Dogleg and Central Couloir areas, with some unique variations on both. As videos become available, they will be added here.
Ski Men
Final Overall Rankings
1. Reine Barkered
2. Drew Tabke
3. Aurelien Ducroz
Reine Barkered took the top spot today. He put down a fast, clean line, with some really big airs. However, he skied the Dogleg Couloir, instead of the Central. Barkered gave the Dogleg just about the best run it can possibly have, but it is simply not as difficult as going into the Central Couloir area. Central is steeper with bigger drops, as well as having more exposure and consequence. Nonetheless, a beautiful run and a deserving win.
Thomas Leitner had the potential run of the day, with a big air up top, followed by a huge 3 in the middle. He looked good on the 3, but hooked a ski just after landing and tumbled.
Oakley White-Allen was the fastest man out there today. He more or less straight lined the Bec top to bottom. He is always one for creative lines, and definitely didn’t disappoint – I’m pretty sure that has never been done on the Bec de Rosses before.
Sam Smoothy charged straight out of the gate, but unfortunately crashed going huge on Hollywood Air. He still f*cking rips though.
Snowboard Men
Final Overall Rankings
1. Jonathan Charlet
2. Ralph Backstrom
3. Flo Orley
Xavier de le Rue picked a line that no one has ridden before in the Central Couloir area. He skidded out on the landing, but it was still cool to see new lines on the Bec de Rosses.
Ralph Backstrom had a solid run, but crashed into the pylon as he was crossing the finish line. He hit the inside post and bounced in though, so I’m pretty sure the goal still counts.
Ski Women
Final Overall Rankings
1. Christine Hargin
2. Eva Walkner
3. Angel Collinson
Eva Walkner had the run of the day. Fast and fluid, with no hesitation on her airs. She did, however, do a bit of a backslap on one air, for which the judges deducted 500 GNAR points and bumped her to second place.
Christine Hargin took first in Verbier, thereby winning the overall title. She skied a nice run, but it didn’t deserve first. C’est la vie on the Freeride World Tour.
Snowboard Women
Final Overall Rankings
1. Maria Debari
2. Margot Rozies
3. Shannan Yates
Maria Debari won the Extreme and the Overall Title by not falling. She had a fast, agressive run, where she almost-kind-of left the ground twice, and all the other girls crashed. Yay.