FWT Finale in Verbier Underway

19th March 2024

Last modified on March 22nd, 2024

It is taking place once again on the mighty Bec des Rosses.

Bec des Rosses, Verbier. Image c/o PlanetSKI

The World title is still up for grabs in Snowboard Women, Ski Women and Ski Men categories

After four successful events, the FWT by Peak Performance season is about to conclude with the most famous event on the freeride calendar: the YETI Xtreme Verbier.

Verbier’s Bec des Rosses is once again be the battleground, an awe-inspiring mountain reserved for the finest freeriders, with steeps exceeding 50 degrees amidst a complex network of technical terrain, providing a fitting finale to an extraordinary season.

This year has dished up some epic conditions and memorable performances, with the level of riding rising again this season.

The title has already been decided in the Snowboard Men’s category, but Victor De le Rue will surely be keen to make it a ‘perfect’ season and take home the win in his backyard.

The Women’s Snowboard category, however, is extremely tight, with only 1,275 points separating the top three riders Núria Castán Barón, Anna Martinez and Erin Sauve, with a mere 75 points between Núria and Anna.

Here are all the possible scenarios on who can win the title in the Snowboard Women’s category:

Núria Castán Barón wins the World Title if:

• Castán Barón wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier
• Castán Barón ranks 2nd, Martinez is 3rd or 4th, and Sauve is 3rd or lower

Anna Martinez wins the World Title if:

• Martinez wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier
• Martinez ranks 2nd, Castán Barón is 3rd or 4th, and Sauve is 3rd or lower

Erin Sauve wins the World Title if:

• Sauve wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier
• Sauve ranks 2nd, Castán Barón is 3rd or 4th, and Martinez is 3rd or lower

Rankings are a little more spaced out in the two ski categories, but the title is still within reach for many athletes.

The big question in the Ski Women’s category is whether the current leader, rookie Astrid Cheylus, can keep up her solid form – and hold her nerve – going into the last event.

Her powerful approach to big mountain skiing has been a sight to watch this season, but she’ll have to hold off the hungry veteran Hedvig Wessel, who is second.

Both Manon Loschi and Sybille Blanjean also have a chance to be crowned World Champion, but this will depend on the results of the others.

These are the scenarios for the title up for grabs in the Ski Women’s category:

Astrid Cheylus wins the World Title if:

• Cheylus wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier
• Cheylus ranks 2nd, and Wessel is 3rd or below
• Cheylus ranks 3rd, Wessel is 2nd or below, and Loschi is 2nd or below
• Cheylus ranks 4th, Wessel is 3rd or 5th, and Loschi is 3rd or 5th

Hedvig Wessel wins the World Title if:

• Wessel wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier
• Wessel ranks 2nd, Cheylus is 4th or 5th, and Loschi is 3rd or below
• Wessel ranks 3rd, Cheylus is 5th, and Loschi is 4th or 5th

Manon Loschi wins the World Title if:

• Loschi wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier, Cheylus is 3rd or below, and Wessel is 2nd or below
• Loschi ranks 2nd, Cheylus is 4th or 5th, and Wessel is 3rd or below
• Loschi ranks 3rd, Cheylus is 5th, Wessel is 4th, Blanjean is 2nd, and Witych wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier

Sybille Blanjean wins the World Title if:

• Blanjean wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier,
• Cheylus is 5th, Wessel is 4th, Loschi is 3rd and Witych is 2nd

With two wins and two podiums, Max Hitzig has a bit more breathing space in the Ski Men’s, and will go into Verbier rankings leader and one of the favorites.

It will take something spectacular to leapfrog ahead of Max, but Marcus Goguen, in second place, has the arsenal of tricks – and the legs of steel – to do so.

Max and Marcus are going head-to-head in the game. Who will take the win? Here are the possible scenarios:

Max Hitzig wins the World Title if:

• Hitzig wins or podium at the YETI Xtreme Verbier
• Hitzig ranks 4th or below, and Goguen is 2nd or below

Marcus Goguen wins the World Title if:

• Goguen wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier, and Hitzig is 4th or below

The event village will be buzzing with loads of live DJ sets, signing session with the athletes and ski tests, which are taking place from Friday to Sunday.

Otherwise, remember that the YETI Xtreme Verbier will be broadcast LIVE at www.freerideworldtour.com.

About the FWT

FWT Management SA is based in Verbier, Switzerland, and has been organizing premier sports events globally in mountain resorts since 1996.

The company founded the Xtreme Verbier, an iconic event in freeride skiing and snowboarding, and turned this single competition into a prestigious series of worldwide events in 2008, the Freeride World Tour (FWT).

The company has since grown to include multiple competition series that fall under the FWT brand – including FWT Challenger, FWT Qualifier and FWT Junior – with events across all formats taking place in Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.

About Peak Performance

Born in the Scandinavian mountains out of a love for skiing in remote, untouched terrain, our passion for adventure and nature runs deep.

Our purpose is simple: we bring the freeride spirit to the world.

As for our products, they all have the same purpose – empower the freedom to be adventurous and follow your own line.

Whether it be horizontally or vertically, on skis, by bike, or on foot, they offer a balance of style and performance.

Our Scandinavian heritage is ever present and our commitment to doing better things in a better way is our never-ending responsibility. For more information, please visit www.peakperformance.com.