The second competition of the Freeride World Tour was a success. The invited riders knew how to make the most of the conditions and put on a great show. And the Winners are .........!
The top placings of the second competition of the Freeride World Tour 2014 at a glance
Women's snowboard:
1. Shannan Yataes (USA)
2. Ambar Schueker (AUT)
3. Estelle Balet (SUI) Men's snowboard:
1.Emilien Badoux (SUI)
2. Jamie Rizzuto (CAN)
3. Christophe Charlet (FRA)
4. Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA)
5. Flo Orley (AUT) Women's skiing:
1. Jacklyn Passo (CAN)
2. Matilda Rapaport (SWE)
3. Lorraine Huber (AUT)
4. Hadley Hammer (USA)
5. Pia Nic Gundersen (NOR) Men's ski:
1. Loic Collomb-Patton (FRA)
2. Garrett Altmann (USA)
3. Mickael Bimboes (FRA)
4. Fabio Studer (AUT)
5. Samuel Anthamatten (SUI)
6. Sam Smoothy (NZL)
7. Kevin Guri (FRA)
8. Silas Chickerin-Ayers (USA)
9. Jérémie Heitz (SUI)
10. Nell Williman (NZL)
All results in the gallery
This is how the second competition of the Freeride World Tour 2014 went
With great mountain weather but difficult snow conditions, the second stop of the Freeride World Tour took place in the freeride and mountaineering mecca of Chamonix on Mont Blanc. And the still young Freeride World Tour 2014 already has its first small sensation. Once again, as a few days earlier at the 1st stop in Courmayuer, Tour newcomer Loïc Collomb-Patton from France won the top men's ski class in Chamonix. Among the snowboarders, Emilien Badoux (SUI) took his first victory on the Freeride World Tour. The female skiers' competition was won by the American Jackie Paaso (USA). Shannan Yates, also from the USA, won the women's snowboard competition. As in the previous year, the tour stop was held in Chamonix on the 2400 m high Aiguille Pourrie in the La Flégère ski area. 35 skiers, 14 snowboarders, 12 female skiers and 8 female snowboarders were at the start on the 500 meter long and up to 50 degree steep north-east slope. In front of the impressive Mont Blanc backdrop of Chamonix, breathtaking action was on display, as was to be expected, despite the rather moderate snow conditions: creative lines, full jumps and extreme powder runs. "It was very difficult for everyone today because the wind had blown the snow overnight and there were very different snow conditions", said head judge Hugo Harrison. "There were a few crashes as a result. That made it easier for us judges, but it was tough for the riders. Nevertheless, we saw a lot of good lines. As you could see from Loïc Collomb-Patton's victory in the skiers' event, freestyle elements are becoming increasingly important."
More photos from Chamonix to click through
Men's skiing: Already the second victory for the French newcomer
Frenchman Loïc Collomb-Patton from La Clusaz (FRA), who is riding his first Freeride World Tour season and qualified via the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) last year, achieved an almost fairytale double victory. After his victory three days earlier in Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, he was also celebrating on the northern side of the highest Alpine peak. Starting last, he showed confident cliff drops and wide, fast powder turns on his run before shining with a technically outstanding big mountain line. And the best part came at the end: a leftside 360 off a high rock. "I'm very surprised about this win because I wasn't in such a good mood this morning," said the Frenchman. "But the line was well chosen and prepared. I followed my first idea. I'm not thinking about Fieberbrunn yet, I first have to process these two victories!"" Despite his demonstrative modesty, Loïc Collomb-Patton is now the favorite for the other competitions on the Freeride World Tour. Second place went to the American Garrett Altmann, who impressed the judges with a challenging and difficult big air. Third place went to another Frenchman: Mickael Bimboes, who performed several high jumps in his high-speed run. The other results from a German-speaking perspective: After his slip-up in Coumayeuer, Fabio Studer from Vorarlberg was able to perform convincingly again in Chamonix and finished fourth after a 360 jumped into a steep couloir. "I was surprised that nobody had skied my line before, even though I had to start second last. I did what I set out to do. I'm happy, although of course I don't like being fourth." Fifth place went to Samuel Anthamatten (SUI), who impressed with his creative, technically demanding line choice. German newcomer Felix Wiemers put in a strong performance up to his third jump, but then had major problems landing his jump, which is probably why he finished in a disappointing 21st place. The tenth of the opening event, 19-year-old Raphael Webhofer (AUT), crashed and finished in 31st place. Stefan Häusl (AUT), fourth in Courmayeur, finished in 35th place.
Women's skiing: Jackie Paaso (USA) wins, Lorraine Huber (AUT) on the podium
Jackie Paaso (USA) took victory in the women's freeskiing category with a very fluid run and a high, confident jump. Second place went to Sweden's Matilda Rapaport (SWE) with an aggressive and creative run with several jumps. Lorraine Huber from Arlberg showed various jumps in her stylish, fluid run and secured a podium place with her all-round superior performance. FWT World Champion Nadine Wallner from Klösterle am Arlberg (AUT) showed a safe but too cautious run and only finished seventh.
Snowboard men: victory for Badoux
None of the top three snowboarders from the tour opener in Chamonix were able to claim a podium place. Emilien Badoux from Verbier (SUI) impressed the judges with a triple jump and his hard-hitting, fast line to win an FWT contest for the first time. "I did the run I had planned, with a lot of speed and a few tricks." In second place behind Badoux was Canadian Jamie Rizzuto, whose run was extremely creative and even a little playful. Third place went to Chamonix local Christophe Charlet, who started with a wildcard and included two small jumps and a double drop in his run. Innsbruck's Flo Orley (AUT) improved by one place compared to Courmayeur and finished sixth. German FWT debutant Johannes Schnitzer (GER) finished in ninth place and said: "I chose an easier line today with less risk than in Courmayeur. The plan worked out. It was a solid run, even if it wasn't enough for a top place."
Women's snowboard: Yates ahead of Schuecker and Balet
The American Shannan Yates, who won the tour stop in Revelstoke last year, won this time in Chamonix with an impressive, fluid, fast line. Austria's Amber Schuecker showed two impressive jumps in her run and finished in second place. Switzerland's Estelle Balet from Vercorin/Verbier presented herself strongly with a safe run - she came third. And the next big contest is already on the agenda: the third contest of the Freeride World Tour will take place next Saturday, on February 1, 2014, in Fieberbrunn, in the Austrian Pillerseetal.
The rest of the Freeride World Tour 2014 competition calendar
3rd stop: Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn, Pillerseetal 2014Date: February 1; Location: Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal (AUT)
Disciplines: ski & snowboard, women & men4. Stop: Freeride World Tour Kirkwood, California 2014Date: March 1; Location: Kirkwood (USA)
Last possible competition day: March 3
Disciplines: ski & snowboard, women & men 5. Stop: Freeride World Tour Revelsoke, BC 2014Date: March 10; Location: Revelstoke, BC (CAN)
Last possible day of competition: tba
Disciplines: Ski & Snowboard, Men 6th stop: Verbier Xtreme 2014Date: March 22; Location: Verbier, Bec des Rosses (SUI)
Disciplines: Ski & Snowboard, Women & Men
