FWT Challenger 2025 Region 1 - Season Of High-Stakes Competition Ends In Obertauern
The 2025 FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1 has come to an electrifying conclusion, with the best riders from across the circuit earning their spots on the FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance 2026 (FWT). Throughout the season, athletes competed across six demanding events, with only their four best results counting towards qualification. The final event in Obertauern marked the last opportunity for riders to secure their place among the world’s elite, capping off a season filled with action-packed battles, breakthrough performances, and intense rivalries.
A Season of Intensity and Determination
The FWT Challenger by Orage serves as the gateway to the pro level, where riders must consistently deliver standout performances to qualify for the main tour. The 2025 season featured a mix of new talents emerging and experienced riders fighting to reclaim their place. From deep powder days to technical, high-consequence terrain, every stop on the Challenger Tour pushed athletes to their limits.
With the top four results counting towards qualification, consistency was just as important as one-off standout performances. Riders navigated changing conditions, unpredictable weather, and fierce competition, knowing that every point mattered.
Ski Men: A Fight to the Finish
The Ski Men category saw some of the tightest competition of the season, with several riders in contention for the coveted FWT spots until the very last run. Victor Hale-Woods (SUI) and Paul de Pourtalès (SUI) secured their qualifications early, thanks to steady performances throughout the season. However, the final two spots remained undecided heading into Obertauern, setting up a high-stakes showdown.
Fynn Powell (NZL) made a remarkable late-season charge, winning the last two Challenger events to climb into a qualifying position. Meanwhile, Ugo Troubat (FRA) edged out his closest competitors, securing his spot in a tight battle where every point counted. Paul Dentan (SUI) was heartbreakingly close but missed out on FWT qualification by just 10 points—a testament to how fine the margins were this season.
Qualified Riders – FWT 2026 (Ski Men)
1. Victor Hale-Woods (SUI)
2. Paul de Pourtalès (SUI)
3. Ugo Troubat (FRA)
4. Fynn Powell (NZL)
Ski Women: A French Domination
The Ski Women category was defined by two standout riders: Zoé Delzoppo (FRA) and Lou Barin (FRA). Both secured their qualification before the final event, having dominated the Challenger season with multiple victories and podium finishes.
Delzoppo, despite missing the first competition, made up for it with two wins, a second-place finish, and a third-place result, finishing at the top of the overall Challenger rankings. Barin, with two wins and two third-place finishes, was right behind her, ensuring that both will be strong contenders on the FWT next season.
Qualified Riders – FWT 2026 (Ski Women)
1. Zoé Delzoppo (FRA)
2. Lou Barin (FRA)
Snowboard Men: A French Takeover
The Snowboard Men category delivered one of the most exciting qualification races of the season, with Sacha Balicco (FRA) and César Barin (FRA) emerging as the two riders who will move on to the Freeride World Tour.
Balicco, thanks to a key victory at Bonneval Water Evolution 2 La Rosière and multiple podium finishes, maintained a consistent season-long performance that ensured his qualification. Meanwhile, Barin delivered clutch performances late in the season, including wins at Open Faces Silvretta-Montafon and Obertauern, securing his ticket along his skiers’s sister Lou to the FWT 2026.
Qualified Riders – FWT 2026 (Snowboard Men)
1. Sacha Balicco (FRA)
2. César Barin (FRA)
Snowboard Women: Sarah Bacher Earns Her Spot
In the Snowboard Women category, Sarah Bacher (AUT) was the only rider in contention to make the step up to the Freeride World Tour. With four second-place finishes, she accumulated enough points to clinch her FWT 2026 qualification well before the final event. Bacher’s consistency and strong performances throughout the season proved that she is ready for the next level of competition.
Qualified Rider – FWT 2026 (Snowboard Women)
1. Sarah Bacher (AUT)
The Next Chapter: FWT 2026 Awaits
With the FWT Challenger by Orage season now complete, these newly qualified riders will join the world’s best freeriders on the 2026 FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance. Their performances over the past season have demonstrated their technical skills, mental resilience, and ability to perform under pressure—all crucial attributes needed to compete at the highest level of freeride.
"This season has been a testament to the depth of talent in the freeride world," said Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO of the Freeride World Tour. "The level of competition on the Challenger Tour was incredibly high, and the athletes who qualified have truly earned their places on the FWT. We can’t wait to see them take on the world's biggest freeride stages next year."
The FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance 2026 is set to begin in January, featuring legendary venues and the most challenging terrain in the sport. Stay tuned for the full schedule and all the latest updates at www.freerideworldtour.com.
