FWT Moves Opening Event from Spain to Switzerland

26th January 2024

Last modified on January 28th, 2024

The first competition of the Freeride World Tour was due to be held in Baquiera Beret this weekend, but it now it’s taken place in Verbier where conditions are better. UPDATED

It’s all about the snow.

Essentially it has been a poor start to winter off piste in the Pyrenees, but good at altitude in the Alps.

The competition in Spain was cancelled earlier this month.

PlanetSKI was disappointed as we were poised to attend.

Now the FWT team is holding the competition on Verbier’s Bec des Rosses this weekend.

Bec des Rosses, Verbier. Image c/o PlanetSKI

“FWT organisers are confident in the weather models in the Alps, and current conditions provide an excellent chance of running an event on the weekend, with abundant recent snowfall – including a fresh storm early this week – and bluebird skies forecast for the end of the week,” said a statement from the FWT as it switched venues.

Image © Freeride World Tour / JBERNARD, Jeremy Bernard

Image © Freeride World Tour / DDAHER, Dominique Daher.

Image © Freeride World Tour / JBERNARD, Jeremy Bernard

So, what was the outcome?

Rookies and legends share the podium in an epic day of freeriding
FWT team pulls off extraordinary event in short lead-time
Petit Bec provided the perfect canvas for the first FWT by Peak Performance event of 2024

“The world’s best freeriders captivated audiences at the Verbier Pro today for the first event of the FWT by Peak Performance season,” said a statement from the organisers.

The start was heldf lower down the face and the Petit Bec was in prime condition for the athletes, with a consistent snowpack from top to bottom, and a fresh layer of snow overnight that softened the landings.

Snowboard men

Two-time FWT Champion Victor de Le Rue (FRA) continued his dominance in this category with an aggressive, fluid run to take the win.

He opened his account with a switch 180, then made quick work of the Petit Bec, combining an oozy backside 360 mid-run and a huge, fall-line triple drop with ease.

Holden Samuels (USA) started his FWT by Peak Performance campaign with an impressive second place, while rookie Timm Schröder (GER) exploded onto the FWT scene with an insane display of freeriding to round off the podium in third.

Image © Freeride World Tour / Photographer’s name (in the photo’s legend. ex: DDAHER, Dominique Daher.

Image © Freeride World Tour / DDAHER, Dominique Daher.

“I am super happy to stomp my run on this face – it’s steep and fast, but you can still go big and do tricks. I am pumped for this winter and can’t wait to get back here for the next event and to ride at Fieberbrunn again. This year’s rookies look solid, and will push us to do some sicker runs.”

– Victor de Le Rue, 2024 Verbier Pro winner

Snowboard women

Núria Castán Barón (ESP) firmly announced her return to competition after an avalanche incident last season, confidently claiming her first FWT victory.

The Spanish sensation sent a huge cliff up top, then linked some dreamy powder turns surrounded by exposure, and finished with a shifty before the end gates.

Rookie Anna Martinez (FRA) put down a strong run to finish in second spot, with Estelle Rizzolio (FRA) taking third.

Image © Freeride World Tour / JBERNARD, Jeremy Bernard

“I chose a line that was the best option for me; I don’t like to take it easy, so I chose something more technical with a big drop. I am super stoked to finish first, and I think all the girls did a great job. It has been such a personal challenge for me after the avalanche, but I am so happy to get to the bottom with the win – a good start for my dream of becoming FWT world champion!”

– Núria Castán Barón, 2024 Verbier Pro winner

Ski women

Zuzanna Witych (POL) put down an absolute heater with a near-perfect score of 97.67, emerging from a stacked field of talented riders to finish on top.

Zuzanna’s skiing was aggressive and controlled, taking no time to stack up the points with an air out of the gates, then charging some freeride turns before lining up three ginormous cliffs to bolts.

Manon Loschi (FRA) also came out firing in her very first competition at the top level to take second place, ahead of Molly Armanino (USA) in third.

“I have no words; I am so surprised. I loved this line from the first time I saw the face, but I didn’t expect it to be that big. I never imagined the scenario of leading the rankings, and I really want to keep pushing myself. I love Verbier – it’s such a mecca for freeriding and home to so many good riders, and so to win here is just mind-blowing!”

– Zuzanna Witych, 2024 Verbier Pro winner

Ski men

The ski men’s category went huge today, but the ever-impressive Max Hitzig (GER) proved too strong, putting down a spicy run and skiing with speed and power to finish ahead of the field.

A couple of rapid airs to start teased the judges before he found another gear, beginning the lower section with two huge airs and a titanic 360.

The young kiwi Finn Bilous (NZL) finished in second place with a run defined by speed and fluidity – including an insane flat spin – with two-time FWT champion Kristofer Turdell (SWE) in third place.

“It was a really special and technical run. Normally, I like flatter terrain, but I enjoyed the steep slopes here, it makes you concentrate. I wanted to start with a solid run this year, and my plan is to have fun this season and try my best. I look forward especially to the new stop in Georgia.”

– Max Hitzig, 2024 Verbier Pro winner

Relive the day’s action at www.freerideworldtour.com, and stay tuned to the FWT social media channels and subscribe to the FWT newsletter to keep pace with the latest news as it drops, including competition and rider updates.

A second FWT event for the Pyrenees, planned for Ordino Arcalís in ealry February, has not yet been decided on.

PlanetSKI has recently been in the ski area in Andorra and conditions are pretty meagre off piste.

“The organizers are closely tracking the weather forecast in the Pyrenees and keep the option if new precipitations are forecasted within the weather window to organize the Ordino Arcalís Pro during the event’s weather window planned from February 1 to 7, 2024,” the FWT said.

Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted.