Travis Rice To Join The FWT In Hakuba, Japan! Wrapup, Verbier Freeride Week 2018!

Travis Rice (USA) will be joining the list of heavy hitters with wild card riders including Terje Haakonsen (NOR), Gigi Rüf (AUT), and Tadashi Fuse (JPN) in the snowboard men category here in Japan. 

Travis returns this winter to join FWT snowboard men riders for the Japanese stop of the Freeride World Tour (FWT). The level promises to be incredibly high with this mix of legendary wild cards and FWT top qualified snowboarders, including FWT two time world champion Sammy Luebke (USA). “Excited to get a wildcard to compete in this year’s Freeride World Tour Hakuba, Japan. This location is a favorite of mine and I’m honored to wear a contest bib with a very diverse group of both Men and Women competitors from around the world.”, Travis says.

Meanwhile, riders from 21 nations kicked off the 2018 European competition season in Verbier, Switzerland during the Verbier Freeride Week on January 6-14. The highly anticipated annual gathering of up and coming freeriders once again did not disappoint freeride fans.

Freeride Junior Tour (FJT)

Spectators in Verbier were dazzled on a spectacular sunny day watching young freeride skiers under 14 years old sticking technical lines and floating big spins. Martin Bender (SUI) and Jeanne Aeby (FRA) took the top podium spots at the first edition of U-14 in Verbier.

The good vibes continued into the older category with a high-performance competition dominated predominantly by athletes coached by former FWT legends Geraldine Fasnacht and Emilien Badoux. Liam Rivera (MEX) emerged as the winner in Snowboard Men, the Swiss dominated the Women and Men’s Ski categories with wins by Sybille Blanjean (SUI) and Jonas de la Jara (SUI). Chamonix local Anna Martinez (FRA) took the top podium spot amongst the women snowboarders.

Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ)

Stunning snow and weather conditions with exciting runs set the scene for the three FWQ events in Verbier. An incredibly diverse group of athletes hailing from nearly every corner of the planet were present among the hungry field of riders looking to earn early season points. After showcasing their big mountain skills, riders re-lived all of the action in an atmosphere full of stoke at the event after party at Pub Mont Fort.

SKI MEN

The category was in Swiss hands with Alessandro Jossen (SUI) showcasing big performances and winning two out of three comps. The third win went to Paul de Pourtales (SUI).

SKI WOMEN

Very strong riding from Ida Gunleiksrud (NOR) earned her two wins with consistent efforts from Martina Müller (SUI) and Sofie Gidlund (SWE), taking two podiums each.

SNOWBOARD MEN

It was all about the awesome lines, unmatched skill, and playful riding from the three friends, Koen Goris (BEL), Lars Peirtsegaele (BEL), and Timm Schröder (GER).

SNOWBOARD WOMEN

Fiona Torello (ESP) took all three wins with her skillful and technical riding and Valerie Verdeur (FRA) and Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA) were both very solid, topping three and two podiums respectively.