Countdown to Freeride World Tour 23 Finals And The Fieberbrunn Pro

March 7th, 2023

 

 Mountainwatch | Press Release

FWT23 Finals kick off next week in Fieberbrunn, Austria; weather window running March 11-17

Fieberbrunn, Austria, March 6, 2023: Following three successful events, the 2023 Freeride World Tour season enters its final stage, as the remaining top-ranked riders prepare to showdown in the FWT Finals. The first stop will see riders take on the epic Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, Austria, which is forecast to receive some fresh snow next week, just in time after an incredibly dry season in Europe.

This event will again showcase a best-of-two-runs format, giving riders double the chance to show the world their full bag of tricks and big mountain skills.

Fieberbruun’s Wildseeloder face has been the scene for big performances. photo: @freerideworldtour/©JBERNARD

The race for world titles remains tight, especially in the ski categories, where Addison Rafford (USA) has a narrow lead over Molly Armanino (USA), with the rest of the field hot on their heels. Valentin Rainer (AUT) surely goes into the event a firm favorite, looking comfortable both on the mountain and in the gold bib, and at home in his backyard in Fieberbrunn. But he will have to get past Max Hitzig (GER), who won this event last year and is only 720 points behind in the overall rankings.

In the snowboard men category, Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA) is leading the way, but rookie Liam Rivera (MEX) is not far behind. Katie Anderson (CAN) – snowboard women – has a little more breathing space with a lead of more than 5,000 points, but the rest of the field remains within striking distance.

 

Ross Tester, USA, throwing down in Fieberbrrun last year. Photo: FWT/J Bernard

Spicing up proceedings is the news of two seasoned FWT pros returning to the action with event wildcards: Arianna Tricomi (ITA) in women’s ski and Manuela Mandl (AUT) women’s snowboard. Arianna is a three-time FWT World Champion – 2018, 2019 and 2020 – which will surely send shockwaves through the ski women category. Manuela also has an FWT World Crown to her name, as well as numerous podium finishes and, in her home mountains, she will again be one of the riders to beat.

Ryan Wachendorfer (USA) will also be joining the snowboard men’s roster for the event but, unfortunately, Dennis Ranalter (AUT) will not be competing due to personal reasons.

The Fieberbrunn Pro will be broadcast LIVE! Watch all the action as it happens exclusively at www.freerideworldtour.com, with incredible user-friendly replay options available to make sure you don’t miss a trick. Until then, stay tuned to the FWT social media channels for updates and rider news, as competition day is only moments away.