Verbier, Switzerland – Some of the best skiers and snowboarders on the planet are already gearing up for their shot at the prestigious Freeride World Tour 2011 title and more than $250,000 USD in prize money on the new six-stop international tour, which announced its pre-qualified rider list today.nReigning World Champions Candide Thovex of France (men’s ski), Norway’s Ane Enderud (women’s ski), Xavier de Le Rue of France (men’s snowboard), and Germany’s Aline Bock (women’s snowboard) will be back on the 2011 tour to defend their title against an international field of skiers and snowboarders who are all hungry for the world’s freeride title.
Men’s Ski
The Freeride World Tour 2010 was one of the most exciting editions of FWT history with the final crown being won in a close competition by French skiing icon Candide Thovex in his rookie year on the tour. The 2011 Tour promises to be even more competitive with 2008 World Champion and 2010 third-place finisher Henrik Windstedt (SWE) more committed than ever, and 2009 winner Aurélien Ducroz, from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France, hungry to regain his title, starting off the season in his home town. In addition there is a particularly electric group of wild cards for 2011 including Norwegian upstart Torgrim Vole, Swiss chargers Jérémie Heitz and Samuel Anthammaten, and the legendary U.S. skier JT Holmes, who will be putting it all on the line for their chance to claim the Freeride World Tour Champion title.
“2010 was a trial year for me on the Freeride World Tour. Competing with the best riders in the world creates a truly positive and permanent evolution of the sport,” sais Thovex. “My objective in 2011 is to defend my World Freeride Champion title. I’ll be under a lot of pressure but more than anything else I’ll be competing on the FWT for my own pleasure. That’s how I improve. The two new events on the schedule are two more chances for us to express ourselves and throw down tricks during a run with less pressure.”
Men’s Snowboard
Will three-time Freeride World Tour Champion Xavier de Le Rue continue to dominate, or will this year’s lineup of wild cards — Flo Orley (AUT), Martin Cernik (CZE), James Stentiford (UK) and Andy Finch (USA) — be able to knock him off his throne?
“Every year since the beginning I’ve been impressed by the way the tour has continually improved year after year,” says de Le Rue. “Where will it go this year? Can’t wait to find out!”
Women’s Ski
After competing alongside the men throughout the past three years of the FWT, earlier this fall organizers scaled back the women’s schedule to accompany the men at only one event in Verbier. Following protest from the tour’s women athletes, however, the women’s events have now been expanded to include three Freeride World Tour events: Chamonix, Kirkwood and Verbier, along with three 4-star Freeride World Qualifier events. This new format will open the competition to many more of the growing number of outstanding women freeriders and will result in increased media focus, organizers assert.
“Winning the Freeride World Tour for both years that I have competed on it has changed my life for sure. Going into my third season on the tour and wanting to defend my title is definitely a challenge but challenge can be fun,” says Ane Enderud of Nortway, Women’s Freeride World Champion 2010. “My main mission is to be physically and mentally strong, to be healthy and enjoy life. If I’m healthy and focused I believe I can do whatever I want and that includes winning the tour again.”
Women’s Snowboard
In women’s snowboard, the new schedule including six main events will now open the race for the final overall title to a wider group of riders.
“I’ve competed in the last two seasons in the Freeride World Tour and I am more than happy to have finished the 2010 season as Freeride World Champion. Of course, I will try to defend the title in 2011 again,” assures German’s Aline Bock, Women’s Snowboarding Freeride World Tour 2010 Champion. “The level of women’s freeriding has risen over the past few seasons and I would really like to push it as far as it goes in the FWT 2011 competitions.”
QUALIFIED MEN
Ski Men
12 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
- Candide Thovex (FRA)
- Henrik Windstedt (SWE)
- Aurélien Ducroz (FRA)
- Julien Lopez (FRA)
- Tim Dutton (USA)
- Reine Barkered (SWE)
- Sverre Liliequist (SWE)
- Adrien Coirier (FRA)
- Sebastian Hannemann (GER)
- Stefan Hausl (AUT)
- Seb Michaud (FRA)
- Matthias Haunholder (AUT)
3 riders qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
- Jérémy Prevost (FRA)
- Mathieu Imbert (FRA)
- Sam Smoothy (NZL)
Wild Cards – all season:
- Jérémie Heitz (SUI)
- Samuel Anthammaten (SUI)
- JT Holmes (USA)
- Torgrim Vole (NOR)
Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch: TBA
Ski Women
5 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
- Ane Enderud (NOR)
- Jess McMillan (USA)
- Jaclyn Paaso (USA)
- Eva Walkner (AUT)
- Janina Kuzma (NZL)
2 riders qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
- Pia Widmesser (GER)
- Janette Hargin (SWE)
Wild Cards – all season:
- Marja Persson (SWE)
Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch: 1st , 2nd and 3rd place of La Clusaz Radikal Mountain 2011 (FRA)
Snowboard Men
6 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
- Xavier de Le Rue (FRA)
- Mitch Toelderer (AUT)
- Matt Annetts (USA)
- Douds Charlet (FRA)
- Gennady Khryachkov (RUS)
- Aurélien Routens (FRA)
2 riders qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
- Max Zipser (AUT)
- Raphael Bullet (SUI)
Wild Cards – all season:
- Martin Cernik (CZE)
- Andy Finch (USA)
- James Stentiford (UK)
- Flo Örley (AUT)
Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch: TBA
Snowboard Women
3 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
- Aline Bock (GER)
- Susan Mol (USA)
- Nathalie Zenklusen (SUI)
1 rider qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
- Vivian Aasen (NOR)
Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place of La Clusaz Radikal Mountain 2011 (FRA)