Anticipation builds as an insane lineup of riders are announced for the Freeride World Tour 2019 (FWT19) official roster. Defending FWT champions, hungry rookies and freeride legends join the tour as season wildcards to make up the talent packed FWT19 rider roster, which became official today.
48 of the world’s best (in four categories 10 Ski Women, 22 Ski Men, 7 Snowboard Women and 9 Snowboard Men) will battle it out at five world renowned venues spanning three continents for their chance to stand on the podium. With such an extraordinary pool of athletes FWT19 is shaping up to be an extremely exciting and high-level competition.
SKI WOMEN
Arianna Tricomi (ITA) will be back for FWT19 looking to defend her title while continuing to push the boundaries for female freeriders. Hedvig Wessel (NOR) and Maude Besse (SUI) will join the tour as season wildcards keen to prove that they have what it takes to claim podium spots. Rookies to watch will be Juliette Willmann (FRA) and Jacqueline Pollard (USA) who both earned their spots on the FWT19 thanks to their strong performances on the FWQ.
SKI MEN
Kristoffer Turdell (SWE) will have his work cut out for him this season. Wildcards Drew Tabke (USA), two time world champion in freeriding discipline, Tanner Hall (USA), backcountry freestyle pioneer, and the always dangerous Aymar Navarro (ESP), are all looking to dethrone the FWT18 champion. With big results on the FWQ, Wadeck Gorak (FRA), Konstantin Ottner (GER), Hank Bilous (NZL), Andrew Polslard (USA), Tom Peiffer (CAN) and Liam Peiffer (CAN) will compete amongst the world’s best.
SNOWBOARD MEN
The big question for this category is if someone will be able to stop Sammy Luebke (USA) from claiming his fourth consecutive FWT title. Big mountain specialist, Victor De Le Rue (FRA) the season wildcard and rookies, Chrisopher Galvin (USA) and Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA) will certainly be hoping to end Luebke’s historic run.
SNOWBOARD WOMEN
Manuela Mandl (AUT) will be back on tour and hungry as ever to defend her world title. However, season wildcard, Wakana Hama (JPN) and rookies, Maria Kuzma (NZL) and Nicole Kelly (CAN) who earned their spots from the FWQ will make progression and strong riding a must for any rider hoping to win podiums in this category.
Credits – freerideworldtour.com / Maria Knoll