Class Of 2023: FWT Roster Announced!

FWT23 consists of five events and 43 riders, but these are merely numbers. This world-class spectacle would not be possible without the total commitment of the world’s best freeriders, ready to drop no matter the physical pain or mental pressure.

• 43 athletes will compete in the FWT23
• Wildcards to be announced in the upcoming weeks
• Previous FWT athletes have qualified through the challenger series

Ready to drop regardless of the conditions Mother Nature dishes up on the day. Ready to drop to satisfy the seemingly unquenchable thirst of their audience, who feed off the next big trick or near-impossible line. For the past 16 years, each roster has brought the FWT to life, and this year’s list promises to do the same…

SKI WOMEN

World Champion Jess Hotter – who was also recently nominated as the best female athlete in New Zealand – is back to defend her title, with eight others hot on her heels to take the crown. Whispers of the three-time FWT runner-up Hedvig Wessel returning to the action are also circulating. She is focussing on new projects, but could be back for an event wildcard.

• Jess Hotter (NZL)
• Olivia McNeill (CAN)
• Lily Bradley (USA)
• Sybille Blanjean (SUI)
• Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI)
• Megane Betend (FRA)
• Manon Loschi (FRA)
• Addison Rafford (USA)Delila Quinn (USA)

SKI MEN

The battles are always intense in the ski men category, and World Champion Maxime Chabloz will have to fight off a talent-packed field – including the likes of Carl Regner and Max Palm – to be crowned again. Newcomer Max Hitzig, who won last year’s FWT Fieberbrunn event, is hungry for more podium finishes, as is the unyielding Mayor of Stomptown, Reine Barkered, returning as an injury wildcard.

• Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
• Carl Regnér Eriksson (SWE)
• Ross Tester (USA)
• Kristofer Turdell (SWE)
• Andrew Pollard (USA)
• Jack Nichols (USA)
• Abel Moga (ESP)
• Léo Slemett (FRA)
• Max Palm (SWE)
• Craig Murray (NZL)
• Jamesa Hampton (NZL)
• Manu Barnard (NZL)
• Simon Perraudin (SUI)
• Max Hitzig (AUT)
• Valentin Rainer (AUT)
• Leif Mumma (USA)
• Jedidiah Kravitz (USA)
• Dillon Flinders (USA)
• Xander Guldman (USA)
• Reine Barkered (SWE)

SNOWBOARD MEN

The Sultan of Steez, Blake Moller, will have his hands full trying to defend his title, with no shortage of new talent and seasoned legends in the mix. Watch out for Camille Armand– who is hungry to go one better than last year – as well as rookies Liam Riviera and Holden Samuels, and former FWT athlete Jonathan Penfield.

• Blake Moller (USA)
• Camille Armand (FRA)
• Cody Bramwell (GBR)
• Michael Mawn (USA)
• Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA)
• Gabriel Bletton (FRA)
• Liam Rivera (MEX)
• Holden Samuels (USA)
• Jonathan Penfield (USA)

SNOWBOARD WOMEN

Can Tiphanie Perrotin hold off a strong contingent and double down after winning the FWT in her rookie year? She will have to hold off FWT22 Runner-Up Erika Vikander and the ever-impressive Manuela Mandl, who won Xtreme Verbier last year. Katie Anderson and Anna Orlova have also requalified, rounding out an extremely impressive female snowboard roster.

• Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA)
• Erika Vikander (USA)
• Manuela Mandl (AUT)
• Anna Orlova
• Katie Anderson (CAN)

There it is folks, 43 of the world’s best freeriders ready for battle. How will their qualifications translate to success in the big mountains? Whatever happens, every athlete always gives it their all, overcoming the mixed bag of emotions to deliver death-defying runs in awe-inspiring terrain.