FREERIDE WORLD TOUR. Røldal, Norway, February 26, 2012 - The fourth stage of the Swatch Freeride World Tour went off in Røldal, Norway today. The strong field of riders showed high-quality runs with technical skiing as well as big airs. The big surprise of the day came from Norwegian wild card Dennis Risvoll throwing two back flips and a lot of amplitude in his run. Austrian Flo Orley and French Margot Rozies were on top of their game and won the snowboard categories. Christine Hargin from Sweden knows the Scandinavian mountains and won women’s ski category with a powerful run.

photo © J.Bernard / freerideworldtour.com

The competition face was playful with a wide range of cliffs and wind lips to drop. The snow on top of the competition face was packed and icy but getting much better further down.

Ski Men

It was Dennis Risvoll's creative line with no more than two back flips that got the best score of today. The local Norwegian won the Røldal Freeride Challenge last year and has gotten the taste for gold. Last year's world champion Aurélien Ducroz, from France, is back in the game, contributing with a beautiful run with a long flight and a huge back flip. Season wild card Sam Smoothy (NZL), who won in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, keeps on charging and took third with high speed in a powerful run. With his third place today he still sits in first place on the overall ranking.

Snowboard Men

In the men's snowboard division Flo Orley (AUT) won with a solid run combining a lot of features. Emilien Badoux (SUI), who won the Freeride World Qualifier in Røldal in 2010, got the second best score of the day with multiple drops and stable landings. Christian Schnabel (AUT) didn't hesitate and went fast, which put him in third place. Jonathan “Douds” Charlet (FRA) is still leading the overall ranking after a fourth place today.

Ski Women

The ladies seemed to enjoy the Norwegian mountains and all eight female skiers charged hard and stable, making it difficult for the judges. Christine Hargin (SWE) has been to Røldal before and skied faster and stronger than her competition. Lorraine Huber (AUT) took second after hitting several cliffs and riding fluid. Her fellow country member Eva Walkner skied fast in the icy top part, took good air and earned third. Angel Collinson (USA) still sits in top position on the overall ranking despite a 8th place today.

Snowboard Women

Margot Rozies (FRA) didn't get the best light but that did not seem to stop her. She rode fast, fluid and took great air on the last two cliffs. Second place went to Shannan Yates (USA), who did a creative line in the mid section and stomped her cliffs. Maria de Bari (USA) continues taking podiums and came third, meaning she still has top position on the overall ranking.

Riders Quotes

Dennis Risvoll (NOR): I didn’t think my run was that good as I wanted to do a double back flip. So I am stoked to win. We have a lot of great skiers in Norway, so I didn't feel pressure standing on top next to the big guys on the world tour. Conditions in the face were good, despite flat light during my run. I'm now hoping to get more wild cards and competing in more events.

Christine Hargin (SWE): It was a really long day and I was very nervous on top, waiting. I'm happy because I did what I expected to do.

Margot Rozies (FRA): Really happy with my ride. I was super stressed on top and when I started I was lost on the top ridge, so I climbed back up and started again. This victory gives me a great boost for the overall ranking and the title is now my goal.

Flo Orley (AUT): Incredibly happy! This has been a tough season for me but with constant improvement race after race, I now have a goal to go and compete in Verbier where I have been competing the last 12 consecutive years. So, I don't want to miss it this year.

Next Stop Fieberbrunn

Two more stages are left for the Freeride World Tour 2012 before the four World Champions will be crowned in Verbier end of March. Next stop goes to Fieberbrunn in Austria. Contest day is scheduled for 10 March. Stay tuned!

RESULTS

Men Ski: 
1: Dennis Risvoll (NOR)
2: Aurélien Ducroz (FRA)
3: Sam Smoothy (USA)

Snowboard Men:
1: Flo Orley (AUT)
2: Emilien Badoux (SUI)
3: Christian Schnabel (AUT)

Women Ski:
1: Christine Hargin (SWE)
2: Lorraine Huber (AUT)
3: Eva Walkner (AUT)

Snowboard Women:
1: Margot Rozies (FRA)
2: Shannan Yates (USA)
3: Maria DeBari (USA)

Please visit www.FreerideWorldTour.com for all the latest information and complete results.

Freeride World Tour
February 26, 2012