FREERIDE WORLD TOUR. Squaw Valley, USA – February 23, 2010 – The pressure is rising with two out of four competitions already completed of the Freeride World Tour 2010. By the third tour stage, the leading candidates for the Freeride World Champion title will be looking to make a major impression on the infamous Tram Face in Squaw Valley USA, a face that has never officially been ridden before.

Strictly illegal to ski, the Tram Face is being opened specifically for the Freeride World Tour competition. Its steep and seemingly un-skiable pitch, permanent closure, and tantalizing location in perfect view from Squaw Valley’s Village and base area, have made it a coveted descent among the strong local freeride community. Several of the top American riders are from Squaw Valley (Jeremy Jones, J.T. Holmes, Tim Dutton, Cody Townsend, Elyse Saugstad, Will Brommelsiek) and will clearly be aiming for victory on home snow and score important points on the FWT ranking.

Conditions are great this year with the El Nino weather pattern bringing huge amount of snow to the Californian resort, and history will be made when the world’s best freeriders will get the chance to challenge the steep rock face.

Quotes Riders

JT Holmes (USA) – local Squaw Valley rider - 10th on the Freeride World Tour Ranking Men Ski:
“I am looking forward to see the first descents that are going to be skied on Tram Face. The event has a potential to be the ultimate show for the public! We consider Tram Face the forbidden fruit and it will be nice to get a taste of it!”

Julien Lopez (FRA) – winner of the Nissan Russian Adventure by Swatch and second on the Freeride World Tour Ranking Men Ski
“As I already have skied in Squaw Valley I have of course noticed the Tram Face. It is a really mythical face! It will without doubts be a great event as the face never has been ridden and it will be a first for all of us. Although I am currently second on the ranking any scenario is possible for the final podium.”

Aline Bock (GER) – Leading the Freeride World Tour Ranking Women Snowboard:
“I feel very honoured to snowboard down a face that is normally illegal to ride and closed for skiers and snowboarders. The Tram Face looks playful with steep sections, nice jumps and many technical lines. I think the riders will provide a great show. Leading the FWT Ranking gives me a lot of confidence and I am still super happy about my win in Fieberbunn, but I also know, that it can change very quickly, so I just focus on the next event, trying to do my best and having lots of fun.”

15th Anniversary of the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch, Verbier – the Final Stage of the Freeride World Tour: 20 March
Since its inception in 1996 the “Verbier Xtreme” has been considered the most prestigious event in the freeride world.. 15 years of passion for freeriding, 15 years of great sports performances at its highest level will be celebrated at the “grande finale” of the Freeride World Tour 2010. For the occasion the 15 former winners of the event have been invited by the organisers. The elite of freeride will once again tackle the mythical North Face of the Bec des Rosses.

Nissan Qashqai to the Freeride World Champions
Nissan, the title partner of the four Freeride World Tour events, will award the two male Freeride World Champions with a Nissan Qashqai.

The 2010 Freeride World Tour's four stages

1. NISSAN RUSSIAN ADVENTURE BY SWATCH - SOCHI, RUSSIA
Date: Competition postponed to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - 4 February 2010

2. NISSAN FREERIDE OF CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC - FRANCE
Date: 31 January 2010

3. NISSAN TRAM FACE - SQUAW VALLEY USA – UNITED STATES
Date: 27 February 2010

4. NISSAN XTREME BY SWATCH - VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
Date: 20 March 2010

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