Historic Debut for the Langwied Face at the 2026 X OVER RIDE Kitzsteinhorn Challenger by Orage

The third FWT Challenger by Orage competition of the 2026 season took place today on the renowned Langwied face (2,260 m) of Kitzsteinhorn, set on the glacier slopes above Kaprun. Marking a milestone for the tour, it was the first time in FWT history that the Langwied face has been used as a competition venue.

Under perfect bluebird skies, spectators witnessed a series of gripping performances from the competitors. The venue featured slopes reaching up to 40° in steepness and offered 310 meters of vertical drop, giving riders plenty of creative line choice and playful natural features scattered across the face, athletes were able to showcase both technical precision and freestyle flair.

Snowboard Men 

Kealan Venning (IRL) claimed victory with a confident and well-executed line, stomping a backflip and effortlessly showcasing his ability to make the most of the venue’s playful natural features. His performance earned an impressive 92.00 points and secured him the top spot.

Timm Schröder (GER) claimed his second consecutive podium following his victory in Nendaz. Demonstrating strong snowboard technique and riding with clear intent, Schröder linked together multiple 360s and airs to earn 90.00 points.

Nicolas Huber (SUI) rounded out both the Snowboard Men category and the podium as the final rider on the start list. Delivering a clean and composed run, he showcased style and control to secure a solid 82.00 points.

snowboard women

Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA) secured her second consecutive win of the season and her third podium finish with a commanding score of 85.33 points, reaffirming both her consistency on the competition scene and her dominance in the category.

Lou Ruiz (FRA) opted for a contrasting line choice compared to most of her competitors, showcasing boldness and creativity. Her approach paid off, earning her 78.33 points and a well-deserved second place on the podium.

Briony Johnson (AUS) claimed third place with a strong score of 70.00 points. Choosing a line that allowed her to maintain fluidity and style throughout, she executed clean drops off carefully selected features while demonstrating her freestyle background.

ski women

Mia McNab (FRA) took the win with an outstanding performance, landing the biggest airs in her category and separating herself from the field with a score of 88.67. Her energetic run secured her second consecutive podium finish following her third place in Nendaz. With style and confidence, she showcased the full potential of the face by linking together multiple natural features to maximize her score.

Ulla Gilot (AUT) followed closely in second place with 85.00 points, delivering a gripping run marked by strong control at speed. Pushing herself throughout the descent, she seamlessly linked several features together to build a fluid and technically demanding line.

Maria Castellví Bono (SPA) claimed third place on the podium with 81.33 points thanks to a smart line choice that led her onto a feature-rich ridge. Making the most of the terrain, she linked together multiple features and tricks throughout her run to secure her place among the top three.

ski men

Simon Zwischenbrugger (AUT) combined speed and technical precision to take the win in the Ski Men category with a commanding score of 95.67 points. After starting the season as an event wildcard in Montafon, Zwischenbrugger once again proved his place among the field with a performance worthy of the top spot.

Noah Peizerat (FRA) secured second place with an impressive 93.00 point run, confidently stomping a backflip just moments after leaving the start gate. Building on that momentum, he showcased his freestyle skills across multiple features to lock in a well-earned podium finish.

Valentin Rainer (AUT) claimed third place with a strong score of 92.00 points in his first Challenger appearance of the season as he fights to reclaim a spot on the Pro Tour for 2027. Delivering a composed and technical run, he landed his trademark 360s along with a clean backflip to secure his place on the podium.

what's next

The FWT Challenger is set to hold its fourth stop of the season at the 2026 Open Faces Obertauern Challenger by Orage from 21-24 of March. With the season approaching its final stages, the fight for qualification is heating up!