Squaw Valley, USA – March 1, 2010 – The third stage of the Freeride World Tour was held today Monday on the Silverado venue in Squaw Valley USA. With its playful terrain the riders put up a great show for the hundreds of cheering locals, pushing the limits with a ‘best of two runs’ format. The high point of the day was the women stepping up the game with a great level of riding, taking the same big cliff jumps as the men and creative line choices. Local Squaw Valley skier and Freeride World Tour wild card Jaclyn Paaso was without a doubt the biggest crowd pleaser. She took a massive cliff jump at the bottom of the face, faster and higher than most of the men, challenging them for the second heat.

Three out of the four winners today (Windstedt, de Le Rue, Paaso) have scored enough points to climb to the top of the overall Freeride World Tour Ranking 2010, before the final stage Nissan Xtreme by Swatch in Verbier, March 20.

Official Podium Results from the Nissan Tram Face, Squaw Valley USA

Men Ski
1- Henrik Windstedt (SWE)
2- Aurélien Ducroz (FRA)
3- Reine Barkered (SWE)
 
Women Ski
1- Jaclyn Paaso (USA)
2- Ane Enderud (NOR)
3- Ingrid Backstrom (USA)

Men Snowboard
1- Xavier de Le Rue (FRA)
2- Matt Annetts (USA)
3- Ryland Bell (USA)

Women Snowboard
1- Shannan Yates (USA)
2- Aline Bock (GER)
3- Susan Mol (USA)

The Competition Format Nissan Tram Face: The Best Score Out of Two Runs

Founder and event organizer Nicolas Hale-Woods (SUI):
“The majority of the athletes were really happy with the two-run format. It was a great opportunity for the sport to allow faster progression as the riders would attempt more tricks and push their limits more than if they only would have had one chance. And the good news is that no one would do anything dangerous above his or her abilities. We saw some amazing riding today.”

Quotes Judges

Head Judge Ski - Eric Seymour (USA):

About Winner Ski Men - Henrik Windstedt SWE (winning with 2nd run)
“Henrik showed the most progressive run of the day, throwing a giant backflip off the start straight into a big 360° (full rotation). He skied very fast and smooth all the way to his final air – a 45 footer (15 metres), which he landed perfectly. He managed to mix both new school freestyle and big mountain skiing.”

About 2nd Aurélien Ducroz FRA (best score 2nd run)
“He skied the most technical run of the day with a unique line on the top section through very exposed terrain and then landed clear into a narrow chute from a big technical jump at the bottom.”

About Winner women ski Jaclyn Paaso USA (winning with 1st run)
“Jackie went bigger than any of the girls! Skiing a fluid line landing a first jump before taking the 45 footer (15 metre cliff) at full speed, and managing to land on her feet.”

About 2nd Ane Enderud NOR (best score 1st run)
“Ane skied the most technical line of the women and she was very fast and fluid through the exposure. She came down in complete control and landed her jumps clear.”

Head Judge Snowboard - Xavier Jordan (SUI):

About Winner men snowboard Xavier de Le Rue FRA (winning with 2nd run)
“A fantastic run! Xavier took a committed line with great speed and without any hesitation, starting off with a “360 front side” (full rotation), then jumping a double cliff and finishing off with a unique cliff jump at the bottom, high and exposed – everything executed without any errors.”

About 2nd Matt Annetts USA (best score 1st run)
“The score was really tight between the first and second place. Matt chose an original line with an impressive double cliff jump in the end, riding very fluidly.”

About Winner women snowboard Shannan Yates USA (best score 1st run)
“Shannan came directly from winning the North Face Snowboard Masters in Kirkwood yesterday and had a fast and solid run with several clean jumps. Impressive!”

Quotes Riders

Ski:

Henrik Windstedt (SWE) – Winner
“The format ‘best of two runs’ was really great and very interesting. The riders where pushing the limits even further with two chances on the same face. Silverado is a great competition venue, not too dangerous, so we dare to go for it! I was really excited at the start and wanted to go as big as I could. I am really happy I stomped my backflip and 360 as well as the big cliff jump at the bottom.”

Aurelien Ducroz (FRA) – 2nd Place
“I am really happy with what I did. I had two good runs after having two bad runs in the previous events so I finally got back into it. I am here. It feels so good to be back on the podium.”
 
Jaclyn Paaso (USA) - Winner
“I just wanted to go bigger than the boys. It felt good because I didn’t have a wild card until the last minute. I really wanted to prove myself.”
 
Ane Enderud (NOR) – 2nd Place
“I’m pretty happy. I missed where I had planned to go but I still skied fast and fluid with good jumps. I wasn’t on edge; I was relaxed and having fun. This is my 6th FWT competition in a row where I haven’t fallen, so I am very happy. As for my line choice, I honestly chose it when I was at the start gate.”

Ingrid Backstrom (USA) – 3rd Place
“I had so much fun. It was really an honor to be here amongst such amazing riders. It was amazing to ski at Squaw where I have lived for the past 9 years. My first line was pretty mellow; my second more exciting but I really hesitated on my line choice. I decided last minute – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I am just so excited to be here.”

Snowboard:

Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) – Winner
“It was a pleasant surprise today to ride the Silverado face. It was a real pleasure to see the girls stomping. As for me, I landed near a rock and in switch so I had to turn again on the next jump, but it was all good in the end. Today was a truly spectacular show.”
 
Matt Annetts (USA) – 2nd Place
“My first run was fun; it was really my style of riding. I had good snow all the way and it’s the first time staying on my feet so it felt good. My second run I tried a few airs and tricks then slowed down. I am glad we held off for good conditions today.”
 
Shannan Yates (USA) - Winner
“After winning the North Face Masters series yesterday, I got here in Squaw at 10:30pm and didn’t sleep all night. I got up at 5:30 to take the first Tram. For me, my first line was flawless. I stuck the landings, went fast and had fun. I did 3 hikes yesterday for 2 venue runs; I spent all the energy I had on my first run today and I’m happy!”

Coming next: Final Stage of the Freeride World Tour
20 March: 15th Anniversary of the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch in Verbier

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.

FWT press release
2 March, 2010