Calling all Freeride fans FWT 2021 is set to finally fire up in Andorra this weekend.
Since the COVID-cancellation of last year’s finale at Verbier it’s been a long time between runs, but with an extended weather window from 20 – 26 Feb at Ordino Arcalís the portents are good for another huge FWT event.
With no North American of Japan events able to run this season the overall competition is down to just 3 big events to decide the “best” freeride skiers and boarders on the planet.
The three surviving events are:
1 | ORDINO ARCALÍS, ANDORRA – February 20-26, 2021
2 | FIEBERBRUNN, AUSTRIA – March 6-12, 2021
3 | VERBIER XTREME, SWITZERLAND – March 20-28, 2021
Subject to conditions and weather they may run a second event at one or more of the first two venues.
For Southern Hemisphere fans last year was huge.
Aussie boarder Michaela Davis Meehan took out the 2020 Andorra event with this huge run. She nailed 2nd overall for the season, and missed out on going for the title at Verbier when that was cancelled. Can she back up for the repeat? We sure hope so round here!
Craig Murray led the Kiwi freeski assault with a win at Fieberbrunn, while compatriot Hank Bilous also did well.
For those who never paid attention in geography, Andorra is the tiny independent country entirely in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. It has plenty of amazing skiing on offer – and next time you hit Europe, the Pyrenees in general and Andorra in particular, are well worth a look. Cheaper than the Alps too.
Ordino Arcalís has seen a lot of storm activity since December, with heavy snowfalls consistently blanketing the competition venue. The Andorran Pyrenees offers an amazing variety of terrain and venues that could host the competition. The FWT guides are already scoping the domain for the perfect competition face. Needless to say, the mountain is ready for the competition-hungry athletes to commence battle for the world title.
The defending world champions are all fired for Andorra and the USA is bringing the heat in both men’s categories with Isaac Freeland leading the rankings for ski men and Nils Mindnich in the top spot for snowboarding. Judges expect more amazing performances from French superstar Marion Haerty who is the current leader in women’s snowboarding and big things from extra talented Arianna Tricomi who flies the flag for Italy in women’s skiing. A new wave of impressive runs is on the cards from the current leaders who are ready to showcase their skills and dig deep into their bag of tricks to keep their crowns.
The competition will be closed to the public but most of us couldn’t get there anyway. No drama, all FWT events are live – on the FWT website, the FWT YouTube and Facebook channels, Fuel TV and L’Equipe TV.
So what is Freeride? Are you a freerider? It’s all in the attitude, as this cool little clip explains
