Photo: D.Carlier / Freeride World Tour
. world ski news : FTW2014: Early-Season Kick-off in Revelstoke, Canada - 26 November 2013 - 16:33
The SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BY THE NORTH FACE® (FWT) 2014 season will commence on the magnificent mountains of Revelstoke, British Columbia, CAN, on December 18, 2013. In its second year as a globally unified tour, the 2014 season will feature seasoned FWT athletes competing against ambitious newcomers who have recently risen through the Freeride World Qualifier system. This year for the first time, the top three riders of the overall rankings at the end of the season will receive additional prize money of 5,000 USD for each world champion, 3,000 USD for second place and 2,000 USD for third place. Fans around the world can watch the action live on www.freerideworldtour.com. The event webcast is scheduled to begin at 9 AM PST (6 PM CET) the day of competition.
Revelstoke continues to be a favorite venue for athletes and fans alike. The colossal MacKenzie Peak, affectionately called “Mac Daddy”, provides riders with 1,644 vertical feet of steep committing terrain suitable only for the most skilled freeriders. The slope averages 38 degrees from start to finish with a wide variety of line choices enabling athletes to express their unique styles on the challenging face.
Photo: D.Carlier / Freeride World Tour
“For the first time in history, Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face® will kick-off before Christmas. Thanks to Revelstoke’s unique snow conditions, we are able to satisfy the crowd and media hunger for snowsports at this time of the year… as well as our impatience to get on the snow!”, said FWT Europe General Manager Nicolas Hale-Woods.
“The stunning beauty of Revelstoke is the perfect backdrop for Freeride World Tour webcasts,” FWT Americas General Manager Adam Comey added. “Multiple high quality camera angles will stream live online, and give viewers the sensation of actually being present at the event.”
The excitement for the first stop of the 2014 FWT is also felt among the athletes. “Mount MacKenzie is incredible. There is a huge amount of terrain in-play on the venue, so most riders get the chance at fresh tracks if they elect a good line,” said reigning FWT Men’s Ski Champion and 2013 Revelstoke winner Drew Tabke (USA). “The upper face is very steep. Taking the initial drop over the edge out of the starting gate is one of the most intense moments of the whole year.”
Jérémie Heitz (SUI) who got second in the 2013 Revelstoke skiers’ competition added:“Revelstoke is a very nice stop. The Mac Daddy is an impressive face to ride and I hope the snow conditions will be as good as the last year. I want to have a good start to the season and feel confident for the next stops.”
“I’m very excited to compete at the Mac Daddy face again and I’m already thinking about options. I cannot wait. I hope we will have some fresh snow and good conditions. The Mac Daddy Face is one of the most impressive faces I have ever skied and I’m really looking forward to ripping it again!”, reigning FWT Women’s Ski Champion and second of the 2013 Revelstoke event, Nadine Wallner (AUT), stated.
“Revelstoke Mountain Resort and the Revelstoke Accomodation are thrilled to be hosting the Freeride World Tour again this year. The tour shines a spotlight on the cool ski town of Revelstoke and showcases our epic terrain for all the world to see,” said Ashley Tait, Director of Sales and Marketing for the resort. “Our community has joined together once again to welcome the athletes, sponsors and media with a great festival of events that will be a great kick off for the ski season. Please come join us!”
For further information, please visit www.freerideworldtour.com
Press Release
Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face® 2014
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND November 26, 2013