After days of patiently waiting for prime contest conditions, the world’s best freeriders put on a stellar show today in the Pyrenees freeride capital of Andorra. Following a drier and warmer than usual lead-up to the competition window, the snow gods smiled on riders for stop three of FWT20 and dumped plenty of fresh snow to set-up contestable conditions on Ordino Arcalís’ “Quince Metros” venue. Unfortunately, due to more heavy snow, which began during the last Ski Men runs, Snowboard Men was cancelled and may be re-staged during the Fieberbrunn weather window, which begins Saturday, March 7th.
Here’s what went down in Ordino Arcalís Andorra:
Ski Women
Hedvig Wessel (NOR-1st Place) continued her world title campaign with a stellar run, sticking a massive backflip at the top of the venue followed by fluid and fast riding into three more nice airs for one of the most progressive runs the category has ever seen in Andorra. Jackie Paaso (USA-2nd Place) came out looking to defend her 2019 Andorra win and threw down a really impressive run, including a big drop and spread eagle at the top of the venue followed by two more huge stomps for the second podium spot. Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI-3rd Place) put together a very fluid run that included a big stomp in the middle of the venue and a smooth bottom air for a nicely earned podium. Following today’s results, Hedvig Wessel (NOR) has retaken the yellow bib and overall 1st place from Arianna Tricomi (ITA).
Snowboard Women
Michaela Davis-Meehan (AUS-1st Place) proved that she could perform under pressure as the last rider in the category with a fluid and confident run from top to bottom. Her winning run included a big and perfectly stomped air with a grab at the top of the venue, a cleanly executed more technical middle section and another clean air at the bottom. The local, Núria Castán Barón (SPA-2nd Place) smoothly took a technical line at the top, then utilized as many features as possible with a handful of nice airs on the way down. She was joined on the podium by the current category leader, Marion Haerty (FRA-3rd Place) who masterfully navigated the flat light, sticking a technical top air, a nice middle air and grab, and a smooth bottom air. Her result will keep her leading the overall rankings but Michaela Davis-Meehan (AUS) isn’t far behind as she continues to gain momentum.
Ski Men
After missing the first two events with an injury, Léo Slemett (FRA-1st Place) came out of the gate with speed and confidence, sticking the top technical straight line, followed by a huge and smooth backflip to transfer, followed by a stylie floated big 360, then another big air and stomp for a well deserved win for the former world champion from Chamonix. The rookie, Isaac Freeland (USA-2nd Place) dropped jaws when he stuck a switch misty flip off of the top ridge, then straight into a smooth air and mute grab, which he followed-up with a fast middle drop, a big old-school daffy, another air and shifty, then finishing off with a perfectly stuck bottom air, earning his first FWT podium. Following a win in Kicking Horse Golden BC, Kristofer Turdell (SWE-3rd Place) put together a huge run sticking the top technical straight line, a massive and perfectly stuck backflip, followed by another huge backflip, then clean bottom air to earn another 2020 podium. His result has put him in the lead in the overall rankings, taking the yellow jersey from Andrew Pollard (USA).
Check out the current tour rankings and relive all the action at freeridewordtour.com. Be sure to follow the FWT social media channels for rider news and competition updates as FWT20 heads to Fieberbrunn, Austria for “Crunch Time.”