The world’s premier freeride lineup took advantage of a fresh dusting of snow in Kicking Horse today, delivering memorable performances in front of a deafening local crowd. Competition went down on the Ozone Face, which provided the perfect theater for the 2023 world title race to continue. Here’s what happened today in the picturesque Purcell Mountains:
Snowboard men
Mexican rookie sensation Liam Rivera (MEX) was the first to drop, setting the bar too high for the rest
of the field to reach. Liam pointed it straight for the cold, deep pow, linking 360s in both directions to
take the win. Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA) cemented his overall rankings lead with a second place
finish, followed by Jonathan Penfield (USA) in third.
“I don’t think I quite believe it yet. I came here just wanting to make the cut, and now I have taken the
win. I’m very happy!" - Liam Rivera
Ski men
Max Hitzig (GER) threw potentially the biggest backflip in FWT history, sending it so deep it can only
be seen to be believed. His entire run was fluid and fast, linking a couple of airs at the top into the
historic backflip to finish first. Local rookie Marcus Goguen (CAN) shot up the rankings and secured
his place in the FWT Finals with an exhilarating run to earn second place, with Valentin Rainer (AUT)
backing up his win in Andorra with a third.
“I wasn’t sure if it [the backflip] was going to work. I saw Yu Sasaki send the pyramid cliff three years
ago, which is why I went for it today. I’m so stoked!” - Max Hitzig
Ski women
Megane Betend (FRA) delivered a career-defining performance to take first place, ensuring she made
the cut for a chance at the world title. Megane didn’t take her foot off the pedal with a fast and
powerful display of freeriding, which included an insane triple drop into the finish line. Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI) finished in second place with a fluid run, and Addison Rafford (USA) rounded off the
podium to take the overall rankings lead.
“I knew I would have to finish first or second to qualify for the finals, so I said to myself, ‘go big or go
home!’ I am stoked that it worked.” - Megane Betend
Snowboard women
Michaela Davis-Meehan (AUS) put down a huge run under pressure to take the win, but,
unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough to make the cut. Michaela dropped first and sent two massive airs
in the steep, exposed section of the course, boosting out with speed into some fast, powder turns.
Estelle Rizzolio (FRA) and Anna Orlova (RUS) finished second and third, respectively, both throwing
down solid runs.
“It was amazing. The snow was so good. I had a backup run that I was going to do, but I blew that
one off – I wanted the rockstar run, and I am glad I did it. - Michaela Davis-Meehan
Relive all of today’s action at www.freerideworldtour.com, and be sure to follow the FWT social media
channels for all the latest news as it drops. The FWT Finals are next folks, with all the riders who
made the cut heading back to Europe and the famed and intimidating slopes of Fieberbrunn and
Verbier. Stay tuned, stop four of FWT23 is not far away.