The second stop of the 2013 Freeride World Tour in Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc was also a complete success. Now it's off to the shady side of the highest mountain in the Alps - to Chamonix. The competition will most likely be held again in the Brevent/Flegere ski resort at the Pentes de l'Hotel. At the moment, the weather forecast for Saturday looks good and the organizers will try to hold the competition on the first possible day. The women will also be back in Chamonix. In Courmayeur, we spoke to Austrian Stefan Häusl about his FWT career and present an exclusive short interview on PowderGuide.com.
Third stop in Chamonix, France, again with the women
Like last year, the contest will be held at the Pentes de l'Hotel. This time, the freeride women are also taking part again. The overall standings (see below) are still very close and we are of course following the performance of the German-speaking athletes with excitement. After her break last year, Aline Bock achieved a solid sixth place, but the big surprise was Nadine Wallner's second place in her first(!) FWT competition. Unfortunately, Eva Walkner is no longer competing this season as she damaged her cruciate ligament again in her crash in Revelstoke. We would like to take this opportunity to wish her a speedy recovery! In the men's race, it remains to be seen whether Markus Eder can repeat his surprise victory and catch up with Jeremie Heitz in the overall standings. But the American riders, especially Drew Tabke, are also to be reckoned with in Chamonix, as the French side of Mont Blanc has already been a destination for many of them and they also know the face very well. The Courmayeur winner in snowboarding - Aurelien Routens - is also considered the favorite in Chamonix and his victory in Italy has shown that he has a decisive say in the overall victory this season. Once again, the competition will be broadcast live on PowderGuide.com. As soon as the start times are fixed, you will find an article here on PowderGuide where you can follow the contest live. We wish all riders every success and hope for an injury-free competition!
Short interview with Stefan Häusl after his start in Courmayeur
PowderGuide: Servus Stefan, why don't you introduce yourself and tell us where and when you learned to ski? How did you get into freeriding afterwards?
Stefan Häusl: I learned to ski in Saalfelden. At the normal alpine age of 3, I was on skis for the first time and then I started my racing career. I was a racer until the age of 14. Alongside my professional training, I then trained as a ski instructor. After I became an instructor for state ski instructors, I went to the Arlberg. It was there that I caught freeride fever and never let go. PG: How long have you been competing in the FWT and what has been your personal highlight so far?
SH: This is my 4th season in the FWT. My highlight was definitely the victory in Fieberbrunn, after which I went to the final in Verbier as the leader. PG: You're one of the older starters among the FWT racers. Now, with the merger with the North American series, there will be a large influx of young, motivated athletes. How important is experience in competitive freeriding and what advantages do you think it gives you?
SH: Yes, it's great that there are now more people from overseas. However, experience is very important in freeriding. When'it comes to the big mountains, it's great to be "older" ;-) PG: You finished 12th overall last season. Were you satisfied with that yourself? And what are your plans for this year's FWT season?
SH: I was 4th the year before. Last year was OK! Unfortunately, you always need a bit of luck to get everything right at the six contests. Not everything was perfect last year! My big goal is to be at the top of the podium in Verbier. The mountain suits me, unfortunately I've never been able to put down a top run. Maybe this year, but first I have to qualify! PG: Unfortunately, you crashed at the first stop of the FWT in Revelstoke and didn't finish in the points. Could you explain why so many drivers with high starting numbers had problems finishing their race safely? You had decided on a certain line during the face check and were a bit surprised by the conditions when you went in - you're up at the start and can't watch the livestream and judge how many people have already raced where. SH: Due to the merger of the US Tour and the FWT, we have more starters this year. This brings with it the problem that a lot of riders are destroying the face. With back numbers it is almost impossible to ride the obvious lines. A lot of tactics come into play. The year before there was a hard layer under the fresh snow on this mountain. As a result, the backs and spines were still covered in snow even after the first riders. At the start this year, we saw that there was another layer and that everything should still be intact. When I started my run, it was as expected at the beginning - a hard layer. When I turned the corner, there was almost no snow to be seen - everything was full of stones. I then realized that the hard layer wasn't there this year and that meant that the steeper sections had already been largely cleared of snow by the many previous riders. PG: In Courmayeur you were allowed to start in fifth place and it went much better straight away! Congratulations on your 12th place! What do you take away from the experience of Revelstoke? How did the organizers react to the criticism of the competition delay due to different starting numbers?) We now have three starting groups. You change the starting group every time. Within the group you are then allocated a starting number. The numbers are becoming more and more important, so it's a good solution. With a back number, you have to choose an alternative line these days. With the obvious line, you almost always have to deal with too many tracks and landing impacts.
The points distribution after the 2nd stop in Courmayeur
The women were not at the start in Courmayeur and therefore nothing has changed in the rankings since Revelstoke. Snowboard women:
1. Shannan Yates (USA), 2500 points
2. Margot Rozies (FRA), 2200 points
3. Elodie Mouthon (FRA), 1980 points
4. Casey Lucas (USA), 1800 points
5. Iris Lazzareschi (USA), 1625 points
6. Aline Bock (GER), 1455 points
7. Laura Dewey (USA), 1290 points
8. Anouck Mouthon (FRA), 1130 points Snowboard men:
1. Aurelien Routens (FRA), 4480 points
2.Ralph Backstrom (USA), 4125 points
3. Emilien Badoux (SUI), 3605 points
4. John Rodosky (USA), 3330 points
5. Guillot-Diat Ludovic (FRA), 2920 points
6. Sammy Luebke (USA), 2640 points
7. Tim Carlson (USA), 2420 points
8. Matt Annetts (USA), 1865 points
9. Flo Orley (AUT), 1850 points10. Irian van Helfteren (NED), 1815 points
...
13. Max Zisper (AUT), 1455 points Women's skiing:
1. Christine Hargin (SWE), 2500 points
2. Nadine Wallner (AUT), 2200 points
3. Natalie Segal (AUS), 1980 points
4. Pia Nic, Gundersen (NOR), 1800 points
5. Ashley A. Maxfield (USA), 1625 points
6. Anne May Slinning (NOR), 1455 points
7. Jacklyn Paaso (USA), 1290 points
8. Eva Walkner (AUT), 1130 points
9. Sonja Lercher (CAN), 840 points
9. Crystal Wright (USA), 840 points Men's ski:
1. Jeremie Heitz (SUI), 4400 points
2. Drew Tabke (USA), 4000 points
3. Markus Eder (ITA), 3690 points
4. Griffin Post (USA), 2880 points
5. Charlie Lyons (NZL), 2740 points
6. Aurelien Ducroz (FRA), 2405 points
7. Reine Barkered (SWE), 2380 points
8. Julien Lopez (FRA), 2362 points
9. Sam Smoothy (NZL), 22600 points
10. Laurent, Gauthier (CAN), 2182 points
...
13th Fabio Studer (AUT), 1640 points
16th Stefan Häusl (AUT), 1425 points
25th Matthias Haunholdeer (AUT), 1050 points
33rd Tom Leitner (GER), 440 points
35th Sebastian Hannemann (GER), 390 points
