Freeride World Tour Heads to Georgia for the First Time – March 1st-7th

February 26th, 2024

Mountainwatch | Press Release

MESTIA, Georgia – February 25, 2024: After two scintillating stops in Switzerland and Canada, the FWT by Peak Performance is thrilled to start the official countdown for arguably the most anticipated event on the 2024 calendar: the inaugural Georgia Pro. The weather window starts this Friday, March 1st, running for seven days. This season, conditions at Tetnuldi resort are some of the best ever, with 30 cm of fresh snow on top of a very good snow pack, making it promising for freeride competition.

Photo: Daher/FWT

The event will take place at the high alpine resort of Tetnuldi which offers over 900 vertical metres of lift-access skiing, topping out at over 3,100 metres. The resort is a stone’s throw from the picturesque town of Mestia, nestled high in the Georgian Caucasus Mountains in the Svaneti region. This area has emerged as a true freeride heaven, with seemingly endless off-piste opportunities rivalling some of the better-known destinations around the world. This has attracted Qualifier events here over the past two seasons, as well as an increasing number of backcountry enthusiasts. The growing popularity of snow sports in Georgia has solidified its position on the global freeride map, making it one of the six countries that host a FWT Pro event in 2024.

With local knowledge largely out the door, how will the world’s best freeriders adapt to the unknown? Potentially a more pertinent question: who can hold their nerves ahead of the Cut? Max Hitzig (Ski Men) and Victor de Le Rue (Snowboard Men) have little to worry about after a perfect start to the season, but two-time FWT World Champion Kristofer Turdell and in-form rookie Timm Schröder are hot at their heels. Two rookies lead the way in the women’s categories, with both Manon Loschi (Ski Women) and Anna Martinez (Snowboard Women) showcasing an incredible transition to the big leagues in the first two events.

Photo: FWT

Perhaps the local wildcard Jaba Skhvediani will ruffle some feathers in the Snowboard Men’s category. The Georgia Pro will be Jaba’s first ever FWT event, however, the young athlete is no stranger to competition, participating in FIS freestyle events all over Europe, and recently enjoying a win in the big air in Poland and two other podium finishes. Can he harness his knowledge of the Georgian mountains and translate his freestyle form into freeride fame? We’ll find out later this week.

“I have long dreamed of the Freeride World Tour together with my friends. The opportunity to participate in the Georgia Pro is therefore a dream come true, and the fact that the competition will be held in Svaneti is a real icing on the cake! I am looking forward to it!” – Jaba Skhvediani, 2024 Georgia Pro wildcard

The venue in Tetnuldi will allow the athletes to shine. . Photo: Daher/FWT

Regarding roster updates, 2023 World Champion Justine Dufour-Lapointe will miss also this event for personal reasons, together with Finn Bilous who will not start at the Georgia Pro Event for prior commitments.

Remember that the Georgia Pro – like all FWT events – will be broadcast LIVE at www.freerideworldtour.com! Until then, keep an eye on the FWT social media channels for competition updates and rider news as the countdown to Georgia begins.