ContestHappening 08/2020 | Wrap up

I don't think I need to write much here about this year's winter in the Alps - the global winter was similarly mixed for the FWT. Little snow in Japan, lots of snow but also lots of wind in Kicking Horse, hardly any snow and very warm temperatures in Andorra meant that the organizers didn't quite meet the expectations of the Freeride Elite contest series. Only the Fieberbrunn stop at the beginning of March allowed the participants to showcase their skills in an appropriate environment.

A few days after the stop in Fieberbrunn, the situation regarding the current pandemic continued to worsen in Tyrol, Switzerland and other Central European countries. The FWT organization therefore decided to bring all riders to Verbier as quickly as possible from Thursday, March 12, in order to hold an early Verbier Xtreme on the following Sunday. After the riders had spread out after the Fieberbrunn stop, most of them came back to Verbier. As we all know, this plan came to nothing as everything was closed in Switzerland from Sunday. Some of the FWT athletes then tested positive for Covid 19 on their return trip to the USA.

Since then, skiing has of course and hopefully temporarily become very unimportant, but perhaps there are still readers who want to continue to deal with it at least at home in front of the screen. For those, we can recommend the video on the 25th anniversary of the Xtreme Verbier, which goes into the history of the event. All generations of contest freeriders are featured again and it becomes clear how long ago the time of the Zackrissons and Ducroz, for example, was and also how much the freeride business has changed since then. To get back to 2020, you can treat yourself to the insight that Drew Tabke gives here regarding his 2020 season from a rider's perspective.

Now, however, it's all about the final results of the season. Many may not even know that winning the overall standings is not rewarded with additional prize money from the FWT. You only get money for the podium places at the stops and the money that could be given to the overall winners is distributed evenly across the entire field as entry fees for the respective stops. This leaves it up to each individual to monetize the title through sponsorship or other contracts, if possible.

FWQ results

After all remaining FWQ contests were canceled, the overall rankings were frozen as of March 16, 2020. Only a few 4* contests were able to take place before then, and the hopes of some to score points at the last major contests in Nendaz or Obergurgl did not materialize. The names of the twelve athletes who have collected enough points to take part in the FWT 2021 have now been officially confirmed. The full ranking can be found here.

Ski Men's FWQ

Six skiers join the line-up of established FWT skiers in 2021, the top 3 from each region. Maël Ollivier (FRA) from La Fou d'Allos showed technical runs and strong performances throughout the season, especially at the 4* FWQs in La Rosière and Montafon. Second place went to David Deliv (SWE) from Åre ahead of Jamesa Hampton (NZL) from Mont Olympus. The Kiwi won the 4 * FWQ The North Face Frontier and is now looking forward to competing in the FWT 2021 with his friends Craig Murray (NZL) and Blake Marshall (NZL).

The FWQ winner among the Americans, Ross Tester (USA), has worked his way up the entire freeride pyramid in recent years and was Junior World Champion 2017 in Grandvalira (AND). But he is not the only former junior who is now advancing to the FWT. Cooper Bathgate (CAN), the student of coach and FWT commentator Derek Foose, was also previously successful on the Freeride Junior Tour. Raymond McDermott (USA) from Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, completes the list of young up-and-coming riders on the FWT 2021 as the winner of the 4 * FWQ in Kicking Horse, Golden, BC (CAN).

Women's FWQ

Two skiers have qualified for the FWT 2021, the respective FWQ first-place winners of Region 1 and 2. Zuzanna Witych (POL) is further proof that freeriding knows no borders: she was born far away from the Alps in Lodz and will be taking part in the FWT next season, as will Tracy Chubb (USA), who won the 4 * FWQ in Kicking Horse, Golden, BC (CAN), among others. Claudia Klobasa (AUT) from Vienna narrowly missed out on qualifying despite two podium finishes at 4-star FWQs, coming third overall.

Snowboard Men's FWQ

Two new riders are advancing to the FWT with the winners of each region. After two winters at the American qualifiers, Hugo Serra (FRA) has fulfilled his dream and will be riding the FWT 2021 next season, where he will also meet Michael Mawn (USA), a former halfpipe specialist who can shine anywhere on the mountain with his strong technique. Despite his victory at the 4 * FWQ in Silvretta Montafon and second place at The North Face Frontier, Timm Schröder (GER) from Bad Tölz only managed third place in the final result. He is hoping to qualify next year!

Women's snowboard FWQ

With the first-place finishers from regions 1 and 2, two new riders will be joining the field of female snowboarders next season. Claire McGregor (NZL) lives in Verbier and has dominated the FWQ circus in Region 1 with three victories. Katie Anderson (CAN) narrowly missed out on qualification in 2019 and is now finally allowed to compete at the FWT.