Freeride World Tour/DDaher
While competing in the FWQ, Sasada Chisato conveys the charm of freeriding through her photos and writings.
She has been based in Austria since this winter, and is taking part in the "FWTQ Challenger" stage, which gives the right to compete in the Freeride World Tour (hereafter referred to as FWT).
From the perspective of an active athlete, right in the middle of her career, we asked her to write about the highlights and ways to enjoy the ongoing "Freeride World Tour 2025."
If you check this out, following the Freeride World Tour live will be even more fun!
Part 1 is here
[Tournament Schedule]
STOP #1: 1/18-23 Baqueira Beret, Spain (Held on 1/17, results here )
STOP #2: 1/27-2/1 Val Thorens, France (Held on 1/29, results here )
STOP #3: 2/7-2/13 Kicking Horse, Golden BC, Canada
STOP #4: 2/23-3/1 Georgia
STOP #5: 3/8-3/13 Fieberbrunn
, Austria -------
STOP #6 FINAL: 3/22-30 Verbier, Switzerland
Highlight 4 | Riding highlights
The level of competition at FWT is becoming higher every year. Not only is the difficulty of the tricks increasing, but also tricks on large cliffs and the difficulty of lines and tricks in the women's category is also increasing.
While attention tends to be focused on movement in the air, the combination of tricks and other judging criteria is the key to achieving a high score, so it's safe to say that there are some points to keep an eye on.
Due to my own preferences, this information is biased towards skiing, but after looking back at recent races and the two races this season, I would like to share some tips for enjoying the remaining four races
・It's not just trick variations: Men's skiing's overall riding ability
In 2022, Max Palm landed the first-ever double backflip. Last season, Maxime Chabloz landed both a double backflip and a cork 720 in the same run. This season, the first competition was a trick fest, with 720s, double flats, front flips, and more
While the variety and level of tricks performed by men's skiers has increased and attracted attention, looking at the actual results, it seems that the key is riding between airs
Ben Richard is a prime example. His style is characterized by overwhelming speed and stability, and the combination of his speed and huge airs has earned him high praise, even though his tricks are simple. He placed third overall last season. In particular, his Fieberburun run, where he landed two 360-cliff drops (continuous airs with almost no check) was the fastest dynamic run, earning him first place with a score of 97 points
On the other hand, Maxime's score in the same competition was limited despite him landing a double back and a cork 720. This was likely due to the size of the air itself, as well as a lack of speed and smoothness in the riding between the airs.
Also, last season's winning runs by Max Hitzig at Kicking Horse and Marcus Goguen at Georgia were notable not only for their big airs, but also for their outstanding control in the gaps between them. The same could be said for the three podium finishers in the first competition of the season.
However, rather than comparing these small differences, it is generally easier to understand and more interesting to look at the overwhelming differences in lines. What
was impressive was the huge double cliff jump on a completely new line drawn by Marcus, who won last season's Verbier Final. It was a masterpiece.
Going back a little further, I still vividly remember how Kristofer Turdell, who also won the Verbier Final in 2021, took a leap of faith with his line and the cliff he chose.
This has become quite a nerdy explanation, but I feel that men's skiing these days has reached a level where the overall skiing ability is more important than ever. It must also be quite difficult to judge the scores. Will you win based on riding skill? Or will you win based on line selection and air?
Which do you prefer? I'd like you to look at it from that perspective as well.
・Tricks are becoming commonplace for female skiers
One of the women's ski tricks that I still vividly remember is Hedvig Wessel's huge backflip at the Hakuba tournament in 2020. Women's ski tricks have become increasingly popular, and last season was a particularly impressive one
Of particular note was Manon Loschi's two new records: first, she became the first woman in history to land both a backflip and a 360 in the same competition, and second, she became the first woman in history to attempt a double backflip
This season got off to an even more surprising start. First, at the Nendaz Backcountry Invitational, an invitation-only air competition in the Backcountry area held in Switzerland just before the first FWT competition, Astrid Cheyles, who placed second overall as an FWT rookie last season, successfully landed the first-ever double backflip
In the first and second rounds of the season, the aforementioned Astrid and 2023 champion Justine Dufour-Lapointe both landed backflips, placing second and first respectively. Furthermore, Arianna Tricomi, who has an unparalleled air sense and was the three-time consecutive champion from 2018 to 2020, is also returning to the FWT stage. With tricks becoming commonplace in women's skiing, it will be interesting to see what level she reaches this season
Highlight 5 | Players to watch
In recent years, rookies have been performing remarkably well in the FWT, and it's not uncommon for them to reach the podium in their first year.
Meanwhile, legends are also consistently maintaining their positions in the top ranks.
Which skater will take the overall win this season? Which skater will win the Rookie of the Year award?
Let's enjoy the season until the very end while paying attention to each rider's riding style
Men's skiing
・Will Katsuno Tenran make it to the podium in his second season?
This season, Katsuno Tenran will be competing in his second season of the FWT. He canceled his annual summer trip to New Zealand to focus on getting in shape, so we wonder what kind of skating he will show us this season
I'm looking forward to seeing not only his results, but also scenes that give us a glimpse of his character. Remember when he caused a stir at FWT last season? He had an unfortunate
incident where his helmet came off during a backflip right after the start, and he finished the race without it.
, "I lost my helmet!"
, became such a hot topic that the FWT fans around me started imitating it over and over again. Of course, he'll want to avoid any dangerous incidents, but don't miss out on seeing him loved by FWT riders and fans alike for his unique character!
・The promising rookie is in good form from the first game!
Toby Rafford (USA), the younger brother of Addison Rafford, who competed in the women's skiing competition until last season, is competing for the first time this season.
In his first race, he showed overwhelming style and stability, landing a double flat and taking a respectable second place.
Tiemo Rolshoven (Germany), one of the winners from Europe in Region 1, won the aforementioned Nendaz Backcountry Invitational, and achieved excellent results, placing 5th in the first race and 6th in the second race.
・The long-awaited coming back!!
The rider announcement for this season that got me the most excited was the return of Ross Tester (USA).
He made his FWT debut in 2021. He placed second overall in his first year and was named Rookie of the Year. He also placed third overall in the following season. Although he retired from the scene last season, he took an impressive first place in his first race since returning this season! His big airs are delivered from fast, aggressive yet stable riding. In his first race, he landed a deep mute (Weddle) grab, which showed his commitment not only to winning or losing, but also to his style. He's one to watch.
・Who will be in the race for the championship?
The big news in this season's rider lineup is the absence of last season's champion Max Hitzig (Germany) due to injury.
Will this mean that Marcus Goguen (Canada), a rising star from his first year of participation who narrowly missed out on second place last season, will finally win this season?
Or will Ben Richard (New Zealand), who placed third overall with his overwhelming speed and dynamic air, rise to the top? Will
Ross Tester, who started strong, come back to win? Or will a rookie take the top spot? Or will Maxime Chabloz (Switzerland), who won the kiteboarding freestyle world championship this summer, continue his momentum and take his second overall victory?
Women's Skiing
・The favorite to win is!
As mentioned earlier, Astrid Cheyles (France), who came in second overall last season and is one of the female skiers who naturally performs tricks, will she be crowned champion in her second year? She's off to a great start, coming in second in the first race and winning the second.
Her backflip in the second race in particular was clearly above the level of previous women's skiing, both in terms of the takeoff terrain and landing. Be sure to keep an eye on her riding throughout the season as she leads the next generation of female skiers.
・Pay attention to the following rookie players!
- Jenna Keller (Switzerland) Head team rider who was nominated for BREAKOUT SKIER OF THE YEAR at the iF3 Film Festival 2024
Lena Kohler (Germany) She first encountered freeride in Hakuba, Japan, before COVID-19. She competed in her first freeride competition three years ago and quickly earned her ticket to the FWT. She's already achieved results, coming in third in her second competition
・I'm personally happy about the coming back riders
・2023 Champion Justine Dufour-Lapointe (Canada) Like Hedvig, she has roots in moguls and is a skilled skier, having won a gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. She got off to a good start, taking first place in the first race and second place in the second. Expectations are high for her second overall victory
2021 Champion Elisabeth Gerritzen (Switzerland) Verbier local. She's a big fan of mine, as she can take on challenging big lines that you wouldn't expect from a woman, and she also has her own unique, cool riding style
・2018-2020 Champion Arianna Tricomi (Italy) As mentioned above, this queen with outstanding air sense and effortless skating style will be competing again
Men's Snowboarding
・Will this be the first time in history that they will win the overall championship for the fourth time?
Victor De Le Rue, who dominated last season to become the champion for the third time, will be competing again this season. He showed off his amazing riding in the film "Circle of Madness" with FWT legend skier Markus Eder, which was released this fall, and he has already taken first place in the first competition this season. He rides at speeds that are hard to believe are on a snowboard, so we're all looking forward to seeing how he does this season
Women's Snowboarding
・Rookie on the podium in the first race!
Noémie Equy (France), who advanced from the Region 1 Challenger category last season, took first place in the first round of the season. Second place followed, and third place was also taken by a rookie who made their FWT debut this year
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