Judging System

Judges Training

A complex judging manual, which has been developed jointly by the Freeride World Tour organizers, judges and competing athletes, serves as the basis for the training method for FWT judges. The objectives are to continually improve the overall quality and coherence of the Freeride World Tour and Freeride World Qualifiers’ judging systems. In order to become a FWT certified judge, potential candidates must complete the training program, pass a series of tests, judge past years’ competition runs and do real time judging at competitions.

Judging

Judging is based on overall impression, which takes into account the athlete’s line, fluidity, control, jumps and crashes. This split criteria mentality is key in determining the best overall impression of the run. Riders are scored on a scale with 100 possible points and judges are trained to use the full scale when evaluating runs.

Prior to the competition, judges check the competition faces themselves and analyze possible lines and snow conditions while imagining what could be a very difficult or a safe line on the face.