Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2014 Competition Schedule Announced

Event organizers of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face have announced the details of the 2013-14 season schedule. Following the tremendous success of the inaugural globally unified Freeride World Tour (FWT), athletes and fans alike are eagerly awaiting next season’s competition to unfold live via webcast of all six stops on freerideworldtour.com. Over 637,000 viewers tuned in during the 2013 season to watch the world’s top freeride skiers and snowboarders compete on the most impressive terrain on the planet.

"To me, the 2013 season has marked a turning point for the FWT and for our sport. Freeride has achieved a certain maturity after existing for 20 years through competitions, and its legitimacy has been proven" said FWT Europe Region General Manager Nicolas Hale-Woods. "Its future is promising and we can even tell you now that the 2014 season is going to be awesome with 6 stops in the world’s most famous mountain resorts. The always growing list of FWT qualification events proves that young people’s interest for freeride is increasing".

"This past season was an incredible achievement for everyone involved on the Freeride World Tour", said FWT Americas Region General Manager Adam Comey. "Finally, we have crowned four true world champions in both men’s and women’s freeride skiing and snowboarding. This achievement represents the necessary progression of the sport and foreshadows even greater visibility for the sport to come".

The 2013-14 FWT will take place at the same six stops as the previous season. Each stop has a five to eight day weather window designed to provide optimal competition conditions. The tour will start at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, CAN (Dec. 18, 2013) and then cross the Atlantic to Courmayeur, ITA (Jan. 18, 2014) and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FRA (Jan. 25, 2014). From there, the tour will continue in Europe at Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal, AUT (Feb. 1, 2014) before returning to North America at Kirkwood Mountain Resort (March 1, 2014). After the Kirkwood stop an athlete cut will be made determining which riders will advance to the Swatch Xtreme Verbier by The North Face (March 22, 2014) and compete to be the new Freeride world champions. Additionally, the tour is thrilled to have the continued support of its title sponsor, Swatch, and presenting partner, The North Face.

Carlo Giordanetti, Creative Director at Swatch, said, "Nothing compares with the thrills and excitement of freeride skiing and snowboarding. We’re delighted to be the title sponsor, for the third year running, of this most spectacular freeride event. As a global brand, we help promote worldwide visibility for the sport as the Freeride World Tour jumps from one spectacular venue to the next. We are proud to support these amazing athletes, as they represent Swatch values at their best: dynamism, youth, provocation and the wish to go beyond the limits! They are a real expression of freedom and beauty".

In addition to top tier Freeride World Tour competitions, nearly 50 Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) events ranging from one to five stars will take place around the world providing opportunities for talent to develop and emerge. The first FWQs will take place in the Southern Hemisphere in New Zealand and Chile. Riders participating in FWQ events throughout the season will earn points, which could potentially advance them to the 2015 FWT.

"After the very successful 2013 edition of the newly unified Tour, both in terms of the level of the competition itself and the communication with an everyday growing audience for the sport, we are very excited to confirm our support to big mountain freeriding and the entire The North Face team is very much looking forward to a second edition that will surely bring us again amazing riding and new heights in engagement with the fans", said Eric Pansier, VP Marketing EMEA The North Face. 

A new funicular for Zermatt

After 32 years the Sunnegga funicular in Zermatt is to undergo a complete refit. By early summer 2013, you will be able to glide up to Sunnegga on new tracks aboard an ultramodern railway. Carrying capacity is to be increased, but there is also a focus on greater comfort for passengers. Entirely new equipment will be installed in the existing tunnel. The necessary structural modifications will be made this summer as well as during the regular autumn break in operations. During an eight-week period in spring 2013, the electromechanical equipment, tracks and rolling stock will be completely replaced. A total investment of about 12 million Swiss francs is planned.

The refurbishment promises a tangible improvement in passenger comfort: the sprung undercarriage and sound-proofed interior will make for a quiet journey. LED lighting will create a pleasant ambience. Passengers will have more room, with the space available for each seat increasing from 0.17 to 0.21m2. The seating capacity of the trains will rise from 170 to 200, which equates to 2570 passengers an hour. To make this possible, the trains will be longer: 30 metres, with three coaches, each of four compartments. The greater length means the floor of the upper compartment will come to a stop level with the station exit. The speed of travel will increase from the present 10m/sec (36km/h) to 12m/sec (43.2km/h). The folding front door will give easier access for goods transport.
The end of the winter season on 22 April 2013 sees the start of eight weeks of intensive work (using a multiple shift system) on all fronts. The aim is to ensure the new funicular is ready for handover and can start operations when the summer season opens on 15 June 2013. Generally speaking, the work will be spread over three seasons, occupying the normal inspection and maintenance periods, in order not to interrupt operations on Sunnegga. Only the spring maintenance period will be extended, by two weeks.

If everything goes according to plan, the opening of the new funicular will take place on Saturday, 15 June 2013! Zermatt Bergbahnen AG is looking forward to the next 30 years and to carrying another 30 million or more passengers on a state-of-the-art funicular.
The Sunnegga area was opened up in 1942 with the installation of a ski and walking lift, which was replaced in 1946 by a chair lift. In the 1970s, with capacity bottlenecks an increasingly frequent problem, it was decided to build a funicular railway. After four years’ construction and a total investment of CHF 26.93 million, it was opened on 28 November 1980. The funicular was recognized far beyond the borders of Switzerland as a genuine innovation in tourist transport systems and soon became a popular attraction. On 3 March 1982, after only 15 months’ operation, the railway was able to celebrate carrying its millionth passenger. By the time of the merger in 2002, the number of passengers had surpassed 17 million. Since then, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG has carried a further 14,129,218 passengers on the Sunnegga funicular, so there is no doubt that it has earned an overhaul! Starting in the winter of 1985/86, the Swiss Federal Office of Transport allowed driverless operation at a reduced speed (5m/sec) and from May 1996 onwards, at the full speed of 10m/sec.

Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2014 Calendar

The 2013-14 Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face will take place at the same six stops as the previous season. Each stop has a five to eight day weather window designed to provide optimal competition conditions.

Competition Calendar:

1. Swatch Freeride World Tour Revelstoke by The North Face®
Location: Revelstoke, CAN
Dates: Dec. 18, 2013
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

2. Swatch Freeride World Tour Courmayeur by The North Face®
Location: Courmayeur, ITA
Dates: Jan. 18, 2014
Disciplines: Men's Ski and Snowboard

3. Swatch Freeride World Tour Chamonix-Mont-Blanc by The North Face®
Location: Chamonix-Mount-Blanc, FRA
Dates: Jan. 25, 2014
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

4. Swatch Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal by The North Face®
Location: Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal, AUT
Dates: Feb. 1, 2014
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

5. Swatch Freeride World Tour Kirkwood by The North Face®
Location: Kirkwood, USA
Dates: March 1, 2014
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

6. Swatch Xtreme Verbier by The North Face®
Location: Verbier, SUI
Dates: March 22, 2014
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

Allalin Saas-Fee. The race that burns your thighs

From April 12th to 13th the legendary Allalin Races take place in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. Around 1000 participants are expected at the amateur downhill race. The track descends over a length of 9 kilometers and overcomes an altitude difference of 1800 meters – no wonder your legs start burning!
This year the worldcup skistars from Valais Fränzi Aufdenblatten and Silvan Zurbriggen will open the His&Hers Race on Friday. The other participants of the race can challenge themselves by trying to be better than them. Afterwards Fränzi and Silvan will give their autographs at the VIP-tent.
The Allalin Races in Saas-Fee belong to the four most popular amateur downhill races in Switzerland. The “Super Vier” amateur downhill series consists of the four races Belalp-Hexe, the Inferno Mürren, the Parsenn Derby Davos and the Allalin Races Saas-Fee. Every year the overall masters of the whole series will be announced. The award ceremony and the presentation of the much-coveted cup always take place at the Allalin Races in Saas-Fee as it is the last one of the series.

For over 30 years the Allalin Races and the famous afterparties attract ambitious amateur racers as well as wintersports fans who join the competition just for fun. Surrounded by the highest mountains in Switzerland the race starts on an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level and aims the village on only 1800 meters.

The challenging downhill race was mastered for the first time in 1946. Back than the participants had to hike up to the mountain hut on Längfluh, only to get up the next morning and hike further to the top of the Allalinhorn on 4027 meters. The following race down didn’t happen on perfectly prepared slopes like nowadays. No, they had to pass the dangerous crevasses while getting through powder snow.

Participants can enter four different categories: the Team Race, the Fun Team Race, the His&Hers Race, and the individual men’s or women’s races. Men and women in the individual races usually intent to aim the best time. The participants in the Fun Team Race descend just for fun at a leisurely pace. A pit-stop at a mountain restaurant along the way is almost mandatory and dressing up is actively encouraged. Apparently, in the past a team has even plonked themselves down in the snow for a quick cheese fondue. It’s no wonder, then, that teams in this category have been known to take over five hours to “race” down to the finish line. By contrast, an ambitious, highly trained athlete can complete the course in less than five minutes!

The catering in the finish-area of the race will reward the racers with food and drinks. The atmosphere already heats up around lunch time, when the duo “Alpenflieger” starts playing their partysongs. In the evening the rockband “Wildbach” all the way from Austria will get everybody to dance.

Best of of the Swatch Xtreme Verbier 2013 by The North Face

The Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT) came to an end on the mythical Bec des Rosses face in Verbier, Switzerland.

The 18th edition of the legendary "Verbier Xtreme" proved once again that the 2013 season of the Freeride World Tour has taken the sport to even higher levels of progression. The most notable evolution is the spectacular mix of freestyle trickery with fast riding testing faces without holding back fluidity and control. More "traditional" big mountain chargers are still rewarded when they approach the competitions full throttle without hesitation.

Thousands of thrilled spectators onsite and more than 180'000 viewers on the live webcast watched the spectacular show go down in real time.

Freeride World Tour Champions Crowned

A historic season of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT)  came to an end with jaw dropping action on the mythical Bec des Rosses face in Verbier, Switzerland. The four Freeride World Tour Champions were crowned at the end of a six-event global series. For the 18th edition of the legendary "Verbier Xtreme" the athletes took on the challenging face with great skill. Thousands of thrilled spectators onsite and more than 180'000 viewers on the live webcast watched the spectacular show go down in real time.

Only the highest ranked 2013 FWT athletes and a few exclusive wild cards qualified for the steeps of the infamous Bec des Rosses. With a solid base, thanks to great snow conditions all season and the additional fresh snow earlier in the week, the intimidating face was in great condition to provide a world-class venue for the riders.

The final event proved once again that the 2013 season of the Freeride World Tour has taken the sport to even higher levels of progression. The most notable evolution is the spectacular mix of freestyle trickery with fast riding testing faces without holding back fluidity and control. More "traditional" big mountain chargers are still rewarded when they approach the competitions full throttle without hesitation.

Men's Ski
Victory on the Bec des Rosses and the race for the Freeride World Champion title was a true nail biter, playing out with the five last riders of the day. Kevin Guri of France skied a spectacular high speed run landing a big air, which put the Frenchman on the top spot of the day, with a score of 86.33 points. Guri, age 23, was elated taking both his first victory and podium of the year at the prestigious
The battle for the overall title kept the fans in suspense till the very last rider out of the gate, Reine Barkered (SWE). The solid Swede and 2012 Champion took second with an outstanding run on the "Bec" but it was not enough to hold on to the title. Drew Tabke (USA), finishing an exceptional season with a sixth place at Verbier, was crowned the new Freeride World Tour Champion.

Tabke, a veteran of freeride competitions, won the season's first competition in Revelstoke (CAN) and never let go of the top spot on the overall standings. Tabke's style of riding could be described as a benchmark for the 2013 season; a very talented skier, capable of mixing freestyle tricks and big mountain skills on the same run with solid hard charging but still very fluid skiing.

"This is what I've worked for throughout almost 10 years of competition. Verbier couldn't be a better place to do it. It's a lot of time we put in. We all dedicate a lot of our lives to this so to have it come around is a big payoff for sure. There is a lot of amazing history in freeriding that has pushed us to this moment and I'm really excited to see what will happen the next few years too".

Men's Snowboard

Ralph Backstrom (USA) doubled it down by taking victory and winning the World Champion title with a close to flawless run on the Bec des Rosses. Scoring the high points of 93.67. Backstrom charged down the face right out of the start gate, taking several impressive airs. The battle for first was severe, as several potential champions were putting it all on the line to earn the top spot. Big mountain rider Aurélien Routens' (FRA) confidence almost paid off, but he still managed to take second in front of his countryman and defending World Champion Jonathan Charlet in third.

Ralph Backstrom, probably the most consistent rider of the field, has been close to the Freeride World Tour title for several years. The talented American was very moved to finally have reached the top spot: "I've got no words. I'm pretty emotional. I've had a lot of years trying to get this. I've been second a few times and really happy to finally take down the whole tour! There have been a few ups and downs this year, first winning in Revelstoke and then quite a variable season, so I'm really stoked to end on a high note here in Verbier".

Women's Ski

 After her rookie success, taking second at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal (AUT), Matilda Rapaport of Sweden received a wildcard to Verbier only two days ago. She continued her streak by dominating the women's field on the intimidating face, starting the run with an impressive cliff drop, charging down with very solid riding and several big jumps. She took the prestigious victory by scoring 84.67 points. The second wild card of the day, Austrian Lorraine Huber, skied a similar line and scored second place with 81.0 points.

Austrian Nadine Wallner (AUT) could have played it safe in Verbier as she already had secured the World Champion title after her victory at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal. But once again she demonstrated consistent, strong skiing, finishing third. Wallner, who qualified for the tour through the Freeride World Qualifier system, was still overwhelmed by her performance: "It's hard to believe it. It's my first year on the tour and I did not expect to win the overall title! I was focusing on each contest. Every competition is special and I was really stoked to ski the Bec des Rosses for the first time in such great conditions!".

Women's Snowboard

In a tight and very competent field of women snowboarders, Elodie Mouthon (FRA) came out on top on the Bec des Rosses with the high score of 86.33 points. Her fast, aggressive riding paid off, linking several great airs in a fluid line. The local rookie Estelle Ballet (SUI) earned respect by taking second in front of season favorite Margot Rozies (FRA) even though both riders had similar impressive runs down the powder covered face.

With the win in Verbier and a total of four podium finishes, Elodie Mouthon, managed to grab the Freeride World Champion title on her first year on the tour. "I am really thrilled to both win here today and win the world champion title. It's my first season on the tour and I am happy with my overall results at each event. It helped me build confidence coming in to the finals today. I felt good on the face and my goal was to do a fluid but challenging run".

Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT General Manager Europe wraps it up: “Year after year the athletes keep on enthralling us at the Verbier Xtreme. The Bec des Rosses is unique and we’re very proud to be on our 18th edition of the event! The level of riding has been amazing all season. The sport is progressing every year. With hundred thousands of people now following the tour, either live on the Internet, onsite at events or in the media, the sport has grown to a higher level of international recognition. The spectacular riding, the international representation of athletes, the high quality imagery we produce and the wish to step it up at each event has allowed us to reach an all time high regarding spectator figures and media coverage. Now, with solid partners and resorts, we can already confirm that we will announce the 2014 in weeks to come",

Freeride World Champions to be crowned in Verbier, Switzerland

By Raúl Revuelta

All the excitement comes to a head at the sixth and final stage, the Swatch Xtreme Verbier 2013 by The North Face. The four Freeride World Tour Champions will be crowned at the 18th edition of the “Xtreme” when the athletes take on the legendary and notorious Bec des Rosses, considered the pinnacle of freeride competitions.

Due to a storm predicted to hit the Verbier St Bernard region on Saturday, the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013(FWT) was re-scheduled to take place one day earlier than announced, on Friday March 22. Competition will start at 9 am CET (1 am PST) and live will start from 8:45 am.

With its extreme nature, only the best 12 male skiers, 6 male snowboarders, 5 female skiers and 4 female snowboarders of the 2013 FWT are qualified for the finals on the steeps of Bec des Rosses. In addition, there will also a few exciting exclusive wild cards, including three-time world snowboard champion Xavier de Le Rue(FRA) and five-time Xtreme winner Steve Klassen (USA) in the male snowboard division, as well as Stefan Haeusl(AUT), Aurélien Ducroz (FRA), Samuel Anthamatten (SUI) and Seb Michaud (FRA) in the male skiers. In the snowboard category, upcoming talent and local rider Estelle Ballet (SUI) will also take part in the competition on her home mountain. Crystal Wright (USA) and Lorraine Huber (AUT), actual leader of the FWQ ranking also got the chance to ski the « Bec » in the female ski category.

The venue: Bec des Rosses.

This is the intimidatingly steep, massive pyramid of snow and rock where the final competition, the Xtreme Verbier is held each year. Its name alone is enough to strike fear into the hearts of those who have ridden it, as well as those who will confront it for the first time.
Few benchmarks in sports stand the test of time quite like the Xtreme Verbier. Surfing has Jaws. Formula One has the Monaco Grand Prix. Freeride has the Bec des Rosses. 2013 will be the 18th year in a row that a freeride competition has been held on this face, and new lines continue to be uncovered and new styles put to the test.