FWT hooked up with Pelle Gangeskar, local organiser in Røldal to hear about the competition face and check out the conditions.

FWT: Hello Pelle, will the comp be on the same face as the one you usually use in April?
PG: One of our options includes the faces from the April comp, so, partly yes.

FWT: What's the name of the contest face?
PG: We are planning on using the faces around Couloir 1 and 2 in combination, with Couloir 3 or the Devils Couloir face as backup.

FWT: Can you describe it? Vertical drop, features, steepness etc
PG:

• Couloir 1 & 2 : Width: 700m, vertical drop 300m, plenty of cliffs, steepness 35-55 degrees.
• Couloir 3: Width 500 m, vertical drop 350 m, plenty of cliffs, rolling midsection (easy to lose line), steepness 35-60 degrees
• Devils Couloir: 600 m wide, vertical drop 350 m, big cliffs in middle section, steepness 40-65 degrees.

© Friflyt.no/Simen Berg

FWT: Is this the first time you have a comp this early in the season?
PG: Yes

FWT: What does that have as an impact on the riders, the snow, the mountain, the face? Will it be really different from the conditions you usually have for the comp in April?
PG: Yes, more snow on cliffs = better takeoffs. The snowdepth on the faces are around 5 meters.

FWT: How are the conditions now?
PG: Windpack/pow, forecasted 1 metre until the weekend, and then BLUEBIRD!

FWT: Is it dark early? At what time?
PG: It gets dark around 1800-1830

FWT: Is it cold?
PG: No, temps should be between 0 and -10 degrees Celsius.

FWT: Are you psyched to organise a FWT comp?
PG: It is a great honor to the terrain in Røldal, and the crew that has helped us organize Røldal Freeride the last 12 years, so yes! Event-wise, the number of participants and days of competing is much less than a normal Røldal Freeride, so we can handle this!

FWT: What will be the difference to host a FWT from your usual comp?
PG: More media, less riders, better snow.

FWT: Could you give us a general idea/presentation of Röldal as a resort?
PG: Røldal is the snowiest place in Europe, with average snowdepths of around 4 meters. 6 lifts lift you from 800-1300 m, and the entire ski area is above tree line. Freeskiers use the terrain on both sides of the resort for off-piste runs up to 1000 vertical meters.

FWT: Mange takk and see you there!

Check out www.freerideworldtour.com or the event website: http://roldalfreeride.no/ for updates on competition date confirmation and other info.

The Swatch Skiers Cup is launching “Go to Chile”, a social contest that will allow the winner to enjoy an all expenses paid trip to Chile and become a Social media Reporter to cover the second edition of the Swatch Skiers Cup. The event will take place from September 1^st to 9^th 2012 in Valle Nevado (Chile) and will see the world's top male freeskiers going head-to-head in both big mountain freeride and backcountry slopestyle. This contest is supported by a dedicated Facebook application (LINK).

To identify the right candidate, participants will have to demonstrate their journalistic skills by covering the Swatch Freeride World Tour stops* and / or any Freeride World Qualifier** event. Participants have the choice to publish various types of content (article, video, picture) and maximize their chance of winning by publishing several reports throughout the season.

5 finalists will be selected by public voting and a jury made of riders and industry experts will announce the Winner on April 16^th 2012.

Content posted by participants can include (but is not limited to) any of the following subjects:

1. Pro-riders’ interview, portrait realease

2. Competition reviews (contest / lines analysis, rankings, riders styles, face profile, snow conditions, etc.)

3. Sidelines stories on the Swatch Freeride World Tour

4. Experience from your participation in a Freeride World Qualifier event

May the best Reporter win

* See calendar: http://freerideworldtour.com/the-tour.html

** See calendar: http://freerideworldtour.com/program.html

FWT: Hey Jackie (Paaso), you won the 4* Freeride World Qualifier in Røldal last year. How do you feel about coming back?

JP: I'm really excited to come back to Røldal with it being a FWT stop this season. Last year Røldal was a very important comp for me as far as staying on the tour. After having a bit of a rough season in 2011 it was great to come away from Røldal with the win. It was my first time skiing in Norway and I couldn't of asked for a better experience. The weather was sunny and beautiful and the landscape of Norway is just amazing.

FWT: Tell us about the comp!
JP: The face was pretty long last year, not super intimidating but it had many options for all different styles of riding. I had a really fun time skiing that venue and no problem finding a line that interested me. This year for the FWT I hear that it will be a different face and I’m interested to see what it looks like later this week.

 

FWT: Cato Lagreid (long time FWT judge), congrats you got a wild card for the comp in your hometown (check out info here)!
CL: Thanks, it feels good. I’ve been working pretty intensely with my normal job up until now, so I don’t think I’ve realised what I'm about to put myself through.

FWT: Tell us about Røldal!
CL: Røldal is a tiny village - with around 500 people living here on a normal week. A quiet place with good vibes for freeriding.

FWT: How many times have you competed here before?
CL: I’ve been a part of the Røldal Freeride Challenge since the very beginning (2001). First two years as a competitor, and then more as a part of the crew. Couldn't handle the stress at the top of the contest venue very well, so I bailed. Did the comp last season (RFC) and felt pretty good with a bib on my chest again.

FWT: What kind of face will we see?

CL:  We have been using seven different faces in and around the ski resort for the contests. The face that will be used for the FWT will be announced a few days before the comp. I don’t know which they will use but as picking faces has been part of my job in the RFC crew in the past, I have my thoughts around the subject. My lips are sealed though!

FWT: You are not judging FWT competitions this year?
CL: I knew that the opportunity with the wild card might turn up, so I have stayed away from judges panel all season long.

FWT: Thanks Cato and good luck!
CT: Welcome to my home resort FWT! It’s gonna be great to see you guys up here and get to take part of the contest with a bib on my chest. Lets rock and roll!

FWT: Erik (Sunnerheim), you won the comp in 2010. Are you guys who have competed here before favoured?

ES: I don’t think so, it’s a total different face I recon! But I’m really looking forward to Røldal, I know it’s going to be a blast. The atmosphere is always great there, a lot of fantastic and happy Norwegians, I like that! The organisers are always doing their best for riders and public and everyone seems to enjoy and relax there.  

FWT: Hey Emilien (Badoux), you are one of the non-Scandinavians who have won in Røldal (2010).

Yeah, I’ve got great memories from there. The people are super cool and the party is great! I’m really happy to go back to Røldal for a FWT stage, meaning the level will be even higher! I don’t know what face we will ride and what it will be like this time of the year but the terrain back there is really playful and I think we will see some freestyle moves and a lot of air.

Check out the event website: http://roldalfreeride.no/

FWT caught up with the Swiss mountain guide from Zermatt today before jumping in the plane.

FWT: Hey Samuel, tell us about MSP!

SA: I am Psyched! The plan was that they come to Zermatt but we had a lot of wind here so conditions are not that great. So we got the opportunity to go Haines in Alaska, where there is a lot of snow right now. Hopefully we'll get some good weather. It's a great experience for me, I have always been dreaming of going to Alaska!

FWT: So how about missing Røldal?

SA: I hope they'll have bad conditions haha. No seriously, of course I would like to go to Røldal, my goal is to win the overall title of the FWT! But the option to go to Alaska was just impossible to say no to…I will really need to ski strong in Fieberbrunn and Verbier. I need podiums!

FWT: Good trip to Alaska and see you in Fieberbrunn!

Check out FWT 2012 ranking here 

They are not virgins in freeriding but they are new to the tour. They are from all over the globe and are some of the hottest names of 2012.

The Wanaka rider Sam Smoothy is actually not that new in the business but has not previously been able to show the world his proper form, haunted by crashes and injuries. In 2012 he is hot on the subject and is leading the ranking after taking a first and a second place with his powerful, rock ‘n’ roll style. Quite much like the Kiwi himself, who obviously is pretty excited being on top. Check out his own words on his blog a few days ago:

“The last two weeks have been one of the happiest fortnights of my brief, self indulgent history. To be writing this as the number one ranked skier on the Freeride World Tour at the halfway point in the Tour still sends little shivers to places I should not reference in such an arena. But through my own battles in the muddy morass of the competitive freeride trenches I am all too aware of how quickly this could all implode like any overfilled silicon double D cup.“

Sam Smoothy charging to victory in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Oakley White-Allen is not unknown on the US competition scene but a new name on the Freeride World Tour. With a background in both slopestyle and freeskiing contests in North America this guy knows how to ski his lines. After a near faultless run in Revelstoke (2^nd) he got a wild card to the FWT, went off to Europe and the Alps for the first time of his life, and took third in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Oakley is one of those riders who can charge big mountain style but would also pull off some tricks at the appropriate venue. Next event in Röldal, Norway could be the place.

Canadian young gun Kye Petersen has so far only entered one FWT competition in 2012. In Revelstoke he set the standard and took victory. With his solid and stylish riding one big name comes to mind when watching Kye ski: the slick style of freeski icon and FWT champion 2010, Candide Thovex. Kye did not show up in Chamonix and Courmayeur as he was busy taking home two of the most prestigious awards at the prominent Powder Awards; the Full Throttle and Best Natural Air award. His agenda this winter is full on and next time we might see him could be as a wild card in Verbier.

From Europe and handpicked from the 2011 Freeride World Qualifiers, look out for Swiss Richard Amacker and French Kevin Guri. Both are young (23 and 22) but already ripping harder and cleaner than most of the guys on the tour. It paid off for Richard in Courmayeur, where he earned the top step of the podium. Not to forget Argentinian Niki Salencon, also qualified through the FWQ system, and has impressed us all with solid riding in the previous competitions. The Barilochean is currently ranked number five on the FWT 2012 ranking.

2011 World Champion Aurélien Ducroz, as been in the game since the inception of the FWT in 2008. He had a tougher start this year, seeing the new guys pushing in front.

“It’s cool to see so many new guys pushing the sport and shaking us around a bit. I have skied with Sam Smoothy for some years now and I’m not surprised he’s on top. When he can keep things together without injuries it becomes really interesting. And I really believe in Kevin Gury. He is young and could go really far. He is one of the few very complete riders with both freestyle and strong big mountain riding and one of the few who could bring more freestyle elements into freeriding. He reminds me of Henrik Windstedt. I love how he skis.”

On the snowboard side of things, new FWT names like Americans Ralph Backstrom, Lucas and Maria DeBari and French Margot Rozies have already made quite some noise and are likely to continue doing so.

Ralph Backstrom, who previously competed on The North Face Masters in North America, is on fire, having taken two firsts and a second. With his great form and hard core riding he is giving his opponents a hard time in the battle for the World Champion title.

No hesitation when Ralph Backstrom is taking air in Courmayeur

Ralph’s fellow countrywoman Maria DeBari is also new to the tour and she is also on a winning streak, with victory in both Revelstoke and Chamonix.

Margot Rozies, from the Pyrenees, has a freestyle background with an impressive track record, such as halfpipe youth world champion in 2000. However, her strongest element these days is back-country snowboarding. Debuting in freeride competitions she has proved her place among the best, finishing on a second place in both contests.

Freeride Session EP.08-S.02 - A chat with Henrik Windstedt

Freeride Session EP.07-S.02 - About security

Freeride Session EP.06-S.02 - Oakley White-Allen's objectives

Well, that’s how fast a season can change… ended up 2^nd at the 4* Qualifier in Hochfügen, but 2 days later I broke my left heel while skiing. Season ending injury. But in our sport we also have to deal with injuries.

FWT: "How did the surgery go?"

Apparently really good. Everything is back there where it should be, fixed with a big plate and some screws. My bone structure is pretty good and I (also) didn’t get an inflammation.

FWT: "What are your plans (to come back strong ;-))?

Puh, we’ll see… I have to walk 2 – 3 months on crutches, then there’ll be (a) rehab. If everything works out really good I should be ready again end of summer. But I'll take it easy, see how my foot is felling and then make a decision.

FWT wishes you strength and best for a fast recovery!

Click here to read about: Estelle Balet

Click here to read about: Jean-David Schoop

Click here to read about: Phillip Wechselberger

1. Best-of - Highlights of the Four Star Freeride World Qualifier the Hochfügen Big Mountain 2012.

2. 1st place Ski Men - Dani Fornell-Prat of Andorra, winner of the Men's Ski category at Hochfügen Big Mountain 2012.

3. 3rd place Ski Men - Fabian Lentsch of Austria, 18 years old. Third place in the Men's Ski category at Hochfügen Big Mountain 2012. Fabien recently stepped up from the Freeride Juniors, having won his last Juniors event in Fieberbrunn. Fabian has also competed in the La Clusaz Radikal 2012, placing 14th.

4. 1st place Snowboard Men - Irian van-Helfteren of the Netherlands. Winner Men's snowboard. Although Dutch, Irian has lived in Austria, his adopted home for the last 9 years, riding as part of the Gnarlberg Steinbocks crew.

5. 1st place Ski Women - Pia-Nic Gundersen of Norway wins the Women's Ski category at the 2012 Hochfügen Big Mountain.

Samuel Anthamatten: World class Freeriding by the Zermatt based rider. This run has it all.

Bjorn Heregger: Bjorn goes "big" on the magnificent Mont Fortin face.

Drew Tabke: Watch out for the 360 towards the end.

Thanks to Official FWT data handler Swatch.

The results are as follows:

Snowboard

1^st place - Ralph Backstrom (USA)

2^nd place - Max Zipser (AUT)

3^rd place - Jonathan Charlet(FRA)

Ski

1^st place - Richard Amacker(SUI)

2^nd place - Sam Smoothy (NZL)

3^rd place - Samuel Anthamatten (SUI)

Click here for the images of the face check.

Reine Barkered: hit the top speed of the day at 93 kms with overall average at 42 kms

Drew Tabke: check out Drew's 360 in the lower section

Samuel Anthamatten:  the rough and the smooth of FWT competition

Matthias Haunholder: highest speed of the day in the upper part of the face at 82 kms

Kevin Guri: arrives in the finish two poles lighter!

Ralph Backstrom: great run that gets him on the podium.

Thanks to Official FWT data handler Swatch.

Check out this video from last season.

Quite a contrast versus Sam's face on the podium yesterday - who says winning doesn't matter?