The FWT crossed the Atlantic for its fourth and only North American tour stop in 2015 and landed in Haines, Alaska (USA). The field of participants was reduced in all categories. Only the top 60% of the overall ranking will still be taking part in the FWT premiere in the Mecca of freeriding. But 2015 will not only be remembered for this first FWT tour stop in Alaska, but also for the subsequent anniversary at the FWT finale: the Xtreme Verbier is celebrating its 20th birthday.
FWT in Haines: A dream is set to come true
It has long been a dream of organizers and participants to hold a stop of the FWT in Alaska in the magnificent terrain around Haines. Now this dream is set to become reality. The Alaskan mountains will decide which riders will qualify for the prestigious final at the 20th Xtreme Verbier 2015. Only the best eight female skiers, 16 male skiers, five female snowboarders and eight male snowboarders in the ranking will still be taking part. Of these, the best six female skiers, twelve male skiers, four female snowboarders and six male snowboarders will qualify for the final in Verbier, with only the best three season results from the first four FWT competitions in 2015 being taken into consideration. "Our community is thrilled to welcome the Freeride World Tour to Haines," said Leslie Ross (USA), Haines Tourism Director. "The Freeride World Tour features the best FWT contest freeriders. This is a historic opportunity for Haines and the entire region. We can't wait to show participants our world-class freeride opportunities." Like all tour stops, the FWT premiere in Haines will be livestreamed LIVE on www.freerideworldtour.com as well as on PowderGuide.com. It was very important to the FWT organizers to give fans around the world the opportunity to follow the action as a live broadcast - even though it will be very costly to set up a live broadcast in this extreme and remote area.
As always, the success of the contest depends heavily on the weather. Therefore, the weather window for Alaska has been extended to nine days, starting with the scheduled contest date of March 14 The snow conditions in Alaska are promising. Freeride World Tour America Manager Tom Winter reports: "According to the Haines Avalanche Information Center, the onshore flow is returning. Snowfall and colder temperatures are expected this week. As a result, the slopes will be in better shape."
20 years of Xtreme Verbier: the anniversary competition
The Xtreme Verbier is undoubtedly the freeride event of the decade. Freeride VIPs, legends and fans will gather in the spectator area at the Col des Gentianes to cheer on the qualified FWT riders and the Special Anniversary Wildcard holders on their descent from the Bec des Rosses.
These wildcards also include the well-known slalom skier Mattias Hargin (SWE). He has a special relationship with the Xtreme Verbier because both his sisters Janette Hargin (SWE, winner in 2011) and Christine Hargin (SWE, winner in 2012) and his girlfriend Matilda Rapaport (SWE, winner in 2013) have already successfully mastered the descent from the Bec des Rosses. Mattias Hargin compares the competition slope to the mythical Streif in Kitzbühel: "The Bec des Rosses is the freeride equivalent of the Hahnenkamm - a truly extraordinary slope. I've never taken part in the Hahnenkamm downhill before, but now I'm taking on the Bec des Rosses. It's a huge challenge for me because I have to push myself to my limits as a skier. It's not really in my comfort zone anymore. But I'm really looking forward to this challenge!" Daron Rahlves (USA), one of the most successful US skiers of all time, will also be competing on the Bec des Rosses. His talents go far beyond the alpine speed disciplines, as he also celebrated successes in ski cross and jet skiing before and after his alpine World Cup career. He has also already achieved success in big mountain skiing: in 2010 he received the Powder Video Award for the best line. Xtreme legends Steve Klassen (USA), Aurelien Ducroz (FRA) and Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) have also agreed to take part in the big anniversary event on the Bec. For FWT General Manager Nicolas Hale-Woods (SUI), it is important to celebrate the event's birthday in a fitting manner - also with a view to the future: "Steve Klassen, Gilles Voirol and Jérôme Ruby were the pioneers at the Bec des Rosses. Today's champions honor their legacy. But even more important is the next generation. Hundreds of juniors are making their way to perhaps one day stand at the start line at the summit of the Bec. The Xtreme Verbier draws its magic from the excitement that prevails here in equal measure every year.
