World Freestyle Championships at Squaw Valley

The world's best skiers and snowboarders are battling it out again for the Freeride World Tour Championship title at four of the world's most prestigious ski resorts. It all started on the Russian slopes of Sochi, followed closely by the next stage in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. The Tour now journeys to Squaw Valley for the only North American stop to “ride” the mythical Tram Face that has never before successfully opened for competition, as weather deterred the event (and first legal descent) from taking place
in 2009.
The stage is set for a second attempt to make history on the permanently closed terrain during Nissan Tram Face – Squaw Valley on Feb. 27.
“It is with great satisfaction that we announce the Freeride World Tour's third season. This year the Tour will be staged in some of the world's most renowned ski resorts. Our partner, Nissan, co-founder of the Tour, continues its unwavering support. Swatch, among other partners is reinforcing its involvement by presenting two of the Freeride World Tour's stages this year. Ensured by the participation of the world's top freeriders, we are very keen for the FWT's third season to kick off,” comments Nicolas Hale-Woods, founder of the Freeride World Tour.
Nissan Tram Face -- Squaw Valley USA – Freeride World TourIn Squaw Valley’s 60 years of operation, the steep rock face below Tower 1 of the Cable Car (known as the “Tram Face”) has remained strictly off-limits. Its steep and seemingly un-skiable pitch and permanent closure have made it a coveted line among the freeride set that calls the mountain home. This winter, during the Nissan Tram Face – Squaw Valley USA, February 27 – March 5, only the world’s top international skiers and snowboarders descend on the legendary resort in an attempt to stake their claim on the hairy terrain.
Last year’s event was slated to be the first-ever Tram Face opening, but a massive snow storm moved the competition to Squaw’s Silverado bowl; pushing the first legal opening of the Tram Face to 2010. Now the athletes are even hungrier and the spectators more eager than ever for history to be made on Squaw’s Tram Face at the 2010 Freeride World Tour’s only North American stop. As would be expected of such a headlining event, the valley will erupt with street parties, live music, and other festivities all week long. www.freerideworldtour.com
“The level among the riders has increased constantly since the first edition of the Tour. It is no longer enough to be a great skier to take part of the Tour. Physical and mental preparation, thorough inspection of the competition face, and top gear, are all important elements that has helped develop freeriding to a professional sport, becoming more and more known by the broad public,” says Freeride World Champion 2009 Aurélien Ducroz of France.
A testament to Squaw Valley’s paramount terrain and Freeride training ground, four of the nine U.S. athletes invited to compete on the World Tour hale form Squaw Valley USA.
The Squaw brood includes 2008 Women’s Ski Freeride World Tour Champion Elyse Sagstad, 2009 Men’s Snowboard Freeride World Tour Tram Face Champion Jeremy Jones, former Squaw Valley Ski Team alpine racer and ski film star, Cody Townsend, freeskiing and BASE jumping legend JT Holmes, and 23 year old Tim Dutton who was raised in the shadow of the elusive Tram Face at the base of Squaw Valley.
“The reason I strived so much to get on the Freeride World Tour is because there is no Olympics in extreme skiing. [The Freeride World Tour] is the end of the line right there .... so for me, being able to compete on the tour is amazing, it’s definitely where the top athletes are today and where it’s going on,” says Tim Dutton, Squaw Valley freerider taking on his childhood heroes on the esteemed Freeride World Tour which began in Sogchi, Russia.
About the Freeride World Tour: The Freeride World Tour was initiated in 2008 and consecrated by the participation of the world's elite freeriders: men, women, skiers and snowboarders alike. They tour the planet's most radical faces in pursuit of the world freeride title. The Freeride World Tour has achieved full recognition by the world's most accomplished athletes, the prestigious ski resorts hosting its events, and by the media. Particular care and emphasis is put on security, contest format, and judging.
Independent qualification events certified “Freeride World Qualifiers” are also on the calendar. This allows large numbers of riders to appear in the Freeride World Ranking in order to qualify for the Freeride World Tour.Riders qualified for first stage of the FWT* (with Freeride World Ranking indicated or wild card/WC):
Ski Men
1. Aurelien Ducroz FRA2. Reine Barkered SWE3. Sverre Liliequist SWE4. Matthias Haunholder AUT5. Henrik Windstedt SWE6. Thibaud Duchosal FRA7. Raphy Gillioz SUI8. Seb Michaud FRA9. Thomas Diet FRA10. Kaj Zackrisson SWE11. Torgrim Vole NOR12. Griffin Post USAWC. Adrien Coirier FRAWC. Richard Permin FRA WC. JT Holmes USAWC. Phil Meier SUIWC. Cody Townsend USAWC. Tim Dutton USA
Snowboard Men
1. Xavier De Le Rue FRA 3. Max Zipser AUT4. Matt Annetts USA6. Mitch Toelderer AUT7. Flo Orley AUT8. Will Brommelsiek USAWC. Eric Themel AUTWC. Cyril Neri SUIWC. Niklas Hollsten FINWC. Jeremy Jones USA
Ski Women
1. Ane Enderud NOR 2. Marja Persson SWE 3. Jess Mc Millan USA 4. Elyse Saugstad USA WC.Crystal Wright USA
Snowboard Women
1.Susan Mol USA2.Aline Bock GERWC.Vivian Aasen NORWC .Maria Kuzma NZL