Due to the difficult snow conditions on the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, the third stop of the FWT, also the 10th anniversary edition of the Big Mountain Fieberbrunn, took place this time in the Paznaun Valley at the Quellspitze in Kappl. Despite the last-minute relocation and the unfamiliar slope, the freeriders performed impressively in the sunshine and challenging snow conditions. The winners were Sam Smoothy (NZL) for the skiers, Sammy Luebke (USA) for the snowboarders, Nadine Wallner (AUT) for the skiers and Shannan Yates (USA) for the snowboarders.
The FWT and the organizers of Big Mountain Fieberbrunn were very grateful to those responsible in Kappl-Paznaun/Tyrol for making the last-minute move possible. At the Quellspitze (2800 m), where an Open Faces 2-Star Freeride World Qualifier will also be held on February 22, 2014, the riders found a varied terrain with several options for creative lines after a short hike to the summit: open terrain at the beginning and rocky passages with gullies and cliff drops in the lower part.
The results
Women's skiing
1. Nadine Wallner (AUT)
2. Francesca Pavillard-Cain (USA)
3. Lorraine Huber (AUT) Women's snowboarding
1. Shannan Yates (USA)
2. Estelle Balet (SUI)
3. Amber Schuecker (AUS) Men's skiing
1. Sam Smoothy (NZL)
2. Nicolas Salencon (ARG)
3. Richard Amacker (SUI) Snowboard men
1. Sammy Luebke (USA)
2. Ralph Backstrom (USA)
3. Emilien Badoux (SUI)
Smoothy with the most fluid line
New Zealander Sam Smoothy from Treble Cone (NZL) looks set to build on his strong runs of the 2012 season (4th place in the overall standings) this year. His outstanding line with one double and two triple cliff drops brought him victory in Kappl. He was delighted with the face and the atmosphere among the riders on the day. "It was a great bonus to win as well, I couldn't be happier," said Smoothy. Second place went to South American Nicolas Salencon (ARG), who included five jumps in his run, including a leftside 360. Third place went to Richard Amacker (SUI), who started his run with a high air, skied very smoothly and jumped two more drops. Stefan Häusl (AUT) from Arlberg, fourth in the opening event in Courmayeur Mont Blanc, produced a very dynamic run with several confident jumps to finish in sixth place. "It was difficult to ski today, as there was a crust under the fresh snow in places, which collapsed when I landed the jumps," said Häusl. "Basically it was a good run and a great show. My line wasn't at the limit, I skied a bit on the safe side - I'm super happy with sixth place!" Felix Wiemers (GER) wasn't able to land a backflip cleanly and had to back it up with a frontflip. Apart from Salencon and Drew Tabke's (USA) backslapper just next to the rocks, none of the riders were actually able to pull off their freestyle tricks safely: The young Innsbruck-based Raphael Webhofer (AUT), tenth at the opening event in Courmayeur Mont Blanc (ITA), had almost safely set up his handdrag 360 and lost control in the following turn. Fabio Studer (AUT) had a similar experience on the same cliff with the same trick. Also worth mentioning is the somewhat heavier crash of American Josh Daiek, who misjudged the direction of his relatively high 360 and landed on a rock after three quarters of the turn, injuring his heel (nothing broken). Loïc Collomb-Patton (FRA) continues to lead the overall standings after his two victories at the start, but with a slight points lead behind him, he fell today while attempting a 720, or if you watch the video you might even think a 1080, and was unable to score. Sam Smoothy (NZL) has moved up to second place with today's win, Nicolas Salencon (ARG) is now third. Stefan Häusl (AUT) is in fourth place.
Luebke's second victory
Sammy Luebke from Squaw Valley (USA), who had already won the first event in Courmayeur Mont Blanc, also won in Kappl. He put in two high cliff drops and said at the finish after his victory was confirmed: "I feel very good and am glad that the event could be completed. I was a bit unsure about my line choice because the slope was a bit shorter. But my plan worked out. The snow conditions were changeable, but I found a few spots with good snow." Second place went to Ralph Backstrom (USA). The reigning FWT World Champion, who had a disappointing start to the season, put in a solid performance with several cleanly landed drops. Third place went to the winner of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Emilien Badoux (SUI). Flo Orley from Innsbruck (AUT) took fifth place after a smooth run with lots of airs and cliff drops. Johannes Schnitzer (GER) was on a good course until his final double cliffdrop, which he was unable to land cleanly and finished in ninth place, just like in Chamonix.
In the overall standings, Sammy Luebke (USA) is in first place ahead of Jamie Rizzuto (USA) and Emilien Badoux (SUI). Flo Orley (AUT) is in fifth place.
Two Austrians on the podium
Nadine Wallner from Klösterle (AUT), who has had a rather inconspicuous start to the tour so far, was the second starter at the Quellspitze in the morning after Jackie Paaso (USA). On the still almost untouched slope, she opened the run without hesitation with her drop over the highest cliff at the entrance to the lower section. She followed this up with a double drop at the bottom. Most of the men were still checking faces and lines at this time and were impressed, some of them even stole the line she had in mind. Not far from home, she deserved her victory. "This is exactly how it should feel, I am totally blown away!" she said happily. "It was a great run, it was mega. That's what skiing is! Everything went as I had planned. You could ski fast on the wind-pressed snow in the upper section, then there was powder at the bottom after the drop."
Francesca Pavillard-Cain from Crested Butte (USA) had one of the best jumps of the day among the female skiers and landed in second place after a very fast, fluid run. Lorraine Huber from Lech am Arlberg (AUT) also managed a brilliant run: she landed a jump safely over a rock where many skiers had failed before her and skied a fast, fluid line. As at the event in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, she finished in third place. "I skied a safe run without taking too many risks and my aim was to achieve a solid result. Now I can go one better in Revelstoke," she reported at the finish. "The snow was great. I'm really happy about my third place. The slope offers so many options, there was something for everyone. The switch to Kappl was a good decision." Matilda Rapaport (SWE), who finished fourth in Kappl, now leads the overall standings ahead of Lorraine Huber (AUT) and Nadine Wallner(AUT).
Shannan Yates (USA) triumphs for the second time
Shannan Yates from Snowbird (USA), the winner of the first FWT event for female snowboarders in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (FRA), showed a creative line with a double drop and very clean style. Estelle Balet (SUI), third in Chamonix, also made it onto the podium again and took second place. Amber Schuecker (AUS), who came second in Chamonix, finished third. In the overall standings, Shannan Yates is in the lead ahead of Estelle Balet (SUI) and Amber Schuecker (AUS), who are tied on points.
The FWT will now take a break of almost a month before continuing with the stops in Kirkwood (USA) on March 1 and in Revelstoke (CAN) on March 10 as well as the final Verbier (SUI) on March 22, 2014. It is now half-time in the overall standings and the outcome is still relatively open in all categories. Most of the riders are now also happy to have a break from the whole tour circus and, after the back and forth, to be able to ski and film with more peace of mind where the conditions are better than at the last FWT tour stops. With the side effect of slightly less challenging faces, the organizers have also been able to manage a winter with little snow in large parts of the Alps well and hold safe competitions.
Videos currently available include a skier highlight clip and the judge's debrief
FWT14 FIEBERBRUNN - KAPPL/TIROL SPORTS...from FreerideWorldTourTV
FWT14 JOURNAL EP15 JUDGE DEBRIEFfrom FreerideWorldTourTV
The rest of the Freeride World Tour 2014 competition calendar
4. Stop: Freeride World Tour Kirkwood, California 2014Date: March 1; Location: Kirkwood (USA)
Last possible competition day: March 3. March
Disciplines: Ski & Snowboard, Women & Men 5th stop: Freeride World Tour Revelsoke, BC 2014Date: March 10; Location: Revelstoke, BC (CAN)
Last possible day of competition: tba
Disciplines: Ski & Snowboard, Men 6. Stop: Verbier Xtreme 2014Date: March 22; Location: Verbier, Bec des Rosses (SUI)
Disciplines: Ski & Snowboard, Women & Men
