FWT Qualifiers Full Calendar And New Identity Announced
FWT has announced a new overarching identity to bring more clarity to the relationship between each series and, with this news, has released an action-packed freeride calendar for the 2023 season.
FWT is the leading brand in the sport, making it a natural decision to combine each freeride series under one name. The Sport Pyramid format remains the same, starting with grassroots events through to the elite, but each series will fall under the FWT brand.
The pyramid starts with the FWT Junior series, an incubation stage where promising young riders develop their skills and begin to build their global ranking. Once riders are at least 18 years of age, they are eligible to compete in the FWT Qualifier, with the best athletes qualifying for the FWT Challenger, together with the athletes who don’t make the Cut on the FWT. The talented few in each category will then reach the apex of the pyramid, the Freeride World Tour, to compete among the world’s best in this Pro series.
Each of these competition series – Juniors, Qualifiers, Challengers and Pros – has its own ranking, but it’s only by winning the Freeride World Tour that a rider can be crowned world champion.
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FWT Qualifier calendar
The FWT Qualifier calendar is packed with 1*, 2*, 3* and 4* events, which all count towards securing a spot on the Challenger series. However, the 4* category gives riders the greatest opportunity to stack up some serious points. Action will span across the globe, from Canada and the US to Japan and Norway, with a variety of stops to look forward to.
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NB. IFSA is North America’s organization for freeride competitions
FWT Challenger calendar
Here, the competition really spices up, as riders coming from the Qualifiers will face off not only against each other, but also against FWT athletes who miss the Cut after the Ordino Arcalís Pro event (February 4-9).
There will be six FWT Challenger events – three each in Europe and North America – that will determine who will find their name alongside the world’s best in 2024.
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Some numbers about the Challengers 60 to 75 riders will take part in each region's FWT Challenger series Approximately 140 athletes worldwide will qualify for the Challenger series, including around 20 riders who don’t make the Cut for the FWT Finals, as well as the top 40 to 60 riders from the Qualifiers in each region after the final 4* events. 18 riders will qualify for FWT24 Riders will take their two best results out of the three Challenger events in each region, which will count towards their final ranking. The top four ski men, two ski women, two snowboard men and one snowboard woman from each region – 18 riders in total – will qualify for FWT24 for their shot at the crown. The format is therefore the same as the previous year, but everything will fall under the FWT name to provide more clarity. The pyramid format allows all competitors, from young aspiring junior freeriders to FWT mainstays, to clearly see the path to the top, as well as keep an eye on the relentless supply of talent knocking at the door. This season’s schedule features a wide range of events, providing athletes with copious opportunities across all formats in their pursuit of making the FWT. Stay tuned to the FWT social media channels and website at www.freerideworldtour.com for updates regarding event locations and dates. |
