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LeSWATCH SWATCHFREERIDE FREERIDEWORLD WORD TOUR The TOUR BY BY THE THE NORTH NORTH FACE FACE®®
Nicolas Hale-Woods: General Manager and Founder of the Freeride World Tour “We are extremely happy to have two new stops added to the three existing and exceptional stops of the FWT. The staff behind the Andorran event in Vallnord-Arcalis have organized successful freeride competitions under the name of El Dorado Freeride since 1998. This has been a popular 4 stars event on the FWQ tour. The ski terrain is spectacular and lends itself perfectly well for competitions at the highest level. Concerning Alaska, it is the epicenter of big, unspoiled mountains and every freerider dreams of going there one day. Alaska hosted its first freeride competitions back in the 90s and that’s where it all began. Since the birth of the Freeride World Tour in 2008 it has been on the wish list to organize a stop there, so of course we are thrilled to finally have made it come true.“
// THE FWT Since 2008, this global tour has selected the best freeride skiers and snowboarders on the planet to compete in several destinations offering excellent big mountain terrain. A total of 28 male FWT skiers, 14 male FWT snowboarders, 14 FWT female skiers and 7 FWT female snowboarders will be competing in the respective categories. In 2015 the tour will have four stops for all four categories before the great final in Verbier (SUI) where the Freeride World Champions of the year will be crowned. Two new stops have been added to the calendar besides the classical FWT stops in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen: One in Vallnord-Arcalis in the Principality of Andorra renowned for earlier FWQ events and one in the legendary freeride mecca of Alaska, Haines. The latter will be reserved for qualified riders according to the actual standing after Andorra. The season ends with a special anniversary: the 20th edition of the Xtreme Verbier. Only the top riders in each category will have a chance to ski in this prestigious FWT final event. The total prize money for the season is a record high just above 400,000 USD.
// THE FOUNDER: portrait of a man with a passion for surf and snow sports An avid surfer and snowboarder himself, Nicolas HaleWoods became famous for his performances on video, and later behind the camera. Whether on snow or on the water, he is easily recognizable thanks to his red boards in the colors of a famous brand of Swiss knives. Ever passionate about surf and snow sports, and with the creation AN EXCEPTIONAL PATH of the Xtreme Verbier in 1996, he soon became one of the 1991: Founder of the Swiss Surfing Association most influential promotors of the sport of freeride on the 1996: Creation of the first Extreme Verbier World scene, establishing the Freeride World Tour in 2008. freeride contest Always eager for development, he and the FWT team and 1996 - 1997: Event Manager at the International Snowboard Federation partners have since started to structure from the top down 1998 - 2000: Marketing Manager at UEFA and ISL to junior and ski school level in order to be able to offer the 2008: Creator of the Freeride World Tour (FWT) best conditions for young athletes to evolve in this sport. Today: FWT General Manager With an insatiable appetite for good lines, the sport of freeride still have lots to ride and write! PRESSKIT | 3
A special anniversary: Xtreme Verbier - 20 years old !
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// The birth of the most epic event in the history of freeride The idea started sprouting in 1995 in the minds of Nicolas Hale-Woods and Philippe Buttet – both passionate about snow sports. They wanted to organize the first ever snowboard freeride event in Europe on an extreme mountain face, yet visible for the public to enjoy the show live. One year later the event was inaugurated in Verbier on the legendary Bec des Rosses in the Swiss Valais region. The Xtreme Verbier was born! In 2004, skiers were invited to compete at the event for the first time. The two disciplines have been run in competitions together ever since and it is on the unassailable North face of the Bec des Rosses that best of the best riders challenge each other and the true talents show. This competition format – inspired from surf competitions as organized by the ASP World Tour – was an immediate success among the athletes, the spectators, the media, partners and sponsors and gave life to a full world tour where the world’s best riders would compete on different epic mountains in some of the most renowned resorts of the world. A core discipline among the traditional snow disciplines, freeride starts its own Freeride World Tour (FWT) in 2008 with 4 main stops in Mammoth Mountain (USA), Sotchi (RUS), Tignes (FRA), Verbier (SUI). In permanant development, the FWT has since had stops in resorts famous outstanding freeride possibilities, (such as Courmayeur (ITA), St Moritz (SUI), Røldal (NOR), Sotchi (RUS), Chamonix (FRA), Fieberbrunn (AUT), Revelstoke (CAN), Snowbird (USA), Verbier (SUI), Kirkwood (USA)…) to satisfy expectations of the best riders and to keep offering them new challenges. In 2015, the Xtreme Verbier which is the main event on the tour and the grande finale, will be celebrating its 20 edition – an anniversary not to be missed for any freeride fan.
Idea for a special report: Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Xtreme Verbier on March 28th 2015. Meet the all time champions who have drawn their lines on the Bec des Rosses.
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1. Jackie Paaso (USA): 3rd FWT Overall Ranking 2013 “I first experienced the Bec des Rosses in 2010 and since then it’s remained the one event I still want/need to come out on top of. The mountain is the most intimidating venue that I’ve ever seen, especially the men’s side. It’s the best contest for separating the big mountain riders from the backcountry freestylers. The Bec des Rosses brings out some of the worst nerves I’ve ever seen, yet some of the most impressive lines to date. Amazing runs by the likes of Aurelien Ducroz, Reine Barkered, Xavier De Le Rue and others truly make it the best freeride competition event of each year.“
3. Sam Smoothy (NZL): 4th FWT Overall Ranking 2012 “For me The Bec de Rosses, the Grand Dame of Freeride, is everything a freeride mountain should be. Tucked away in a little corner of Switzerland she dominates the valley as she thrusts up, ever steeper towards the sky. I feel I already have such a history with her packed into just a few tremulous years. A few spent anxiously waiting, staring up and whittling my fingers away with my teeth, frustratedly straining to be one of riders flashing down her. My first descent, solo, when my courage finally blitzed my fear and lack of partners; then the full speed tomahawk that tossed a world title away, the hilarious fondue soaked sunset descents and a burgeoning level of uneasy comfort with a dangerous mountain, a comfort that steals away every time a start gate is strapped onto her crest. I still look at the Bec de Rosses with so much awe but, as readily, excitement for the new stories I know I will scribe across her, successful and otherwise. To quote a non skier “She will be mine, ohh yes, she will be mine.“
2. Shannan Yates (USA): 1st Xtreme Verbier Ranking 2010, 3rd FWT Overall Ranking 2012
“My best experience with the Bec de Rosses was my first, during the 15 year anniversary of the Verbier Xtreme in 2010. I was having an amazing season! I won all three stops of the North Face Masters tour in the U.S., which granted me a wild card for the Squaw Valley stop of the Freeride World Tour. I left Squaw with another 1st place and another wild card, for Verbier! I was honored to be a part of such a prestigious event, especially during an anniversary year! The street fair was huge, with nightly festivities. The opening ceremony was like nothing I had ever experienced, with a jumbo screen and fire breather! The enormity of the Bec had me nervous, full of anticipation, but I didn’t feel pressured, I was excited for the challenge. The views from the start gate were breathtaking and I was in awe of the thousands of spectators! But when I was called to the start gate, my only thought was my line. Breathe. I dropped, stomped my first big air and finished a solid run. I wouldn’t know if it was enough until the award ceremony. Waiting for the results would have been nerve racking, but the runs and talent of the male competitors was a great distraction! Awards were announced, I was the winner of the Verbier Xtreme!“
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Freeride pyramid: freeride events
// The evolution of the discipline of freeride Freeride was for a long time a sport only practiced by the few but over the years it has developed into a structured sport that appeals to a larger public. The discipline continues to develop and increase its reach with the Freeride World Tour as a giant locomotive and grassroots joining forces to organize competitions at a broader level (FWQ, FJT, FWT Club). This democratization of the sport is due to a combination of the development of better and safer equipment as well as a wider and deeper structure with competitions at all different levels (Freeride World Qualifier, Freeride Junior Tour) and freeride camps and classes in collaboration with local ski schools in different countries.
// Judging on the Freeride World Tour: One scoring system for all FWT, FWQ and FJT events Fluidity, choice of line, control, jumps, technique and style are criteria used by the FWT judges to evaluate and score the athletes in their performance. A single score is then given based on overall impression of these criteria on a scale from 1.0 to 10.0. At each of the events, be it at FWT, FWQ, FJT level, a panel of 6 judges score the performance of each rider (3 judges with a background in skiing and 3 with a background in snowboarding). The 6 judges consist of a head judge, a video judge and 4 regular judges.
What is the PFB ?
// Freeride World Qualifier events
// Freeride Junior Tour events
In order to ensure representation of the World’s best freeriders on the FWT a worldwide system of qualifying events has been developed under the common name of Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ). This allows up and coming athletes to get seeded and aspire to gain access to the Freeride World Tour one day. Each FWQ event has been rated from 1 to 4 stars, indicating the level of the participants at that particular event and thus the scale of points to be made for the common FWQ ranking list. The FWQ is divided into 2 regions of ranking (Region 1: Europe, Asia, Oceania and Region 2: North and South America). Athletes will be ranked in the region of their country and the top athletes of each of the 2 regions automatically qualify for the FWT of the following season. For further information as well as the calendar of FWQ events for 2014/2015, please visit: www.freerideworldtour.com/fwq
In 2011 the FWT organization develops a new opening for young talents who wish to pursue their freeride dreams by creating a tour for boys and girls age 14-17. The Freeride Junior Tour (FJT) is born. Besides the competitive aspect, this tour consists of educating workshops regarding mountain safety and knowledge. The workshops are run by professional mountain guides and pro riders. A great success, the whole junior department has evolved and as of this year there will be different levels of competitions rated by stars as in the FWQ. 1- and 2-star events will offer opportunities for new riders of different levels to enter the competition scene and eventually progress to the three 3-star events of Chamonix, Fierbbrunn and Verbier that are held in conjunction with the respective FWT events and that make up the Freeride Junior Tour by Dakine. In parallel, 2-star junior events are set up as separate competitions in conjunction with some of the FWQ events. This structure allows the juniors to meet and connect with the professionals. The biggest junior event of the season are the Freeride Junior World Championships. This event will be held on February 7th and 8th in Grandvalira in Andorra. The event is classified a 4-star event and the top ranking juniors from around the world will be able to compete for the title of Freeride Junior World Champion. www.freerideworldtour.com/juniors
National freeride events France, Austria, Norway and Switzerland each have a national series of events allowing for young talents to start competing measuring themselves against their peers in a national ranking.
Idea for a special report: Follow a junior rider preparing for the Freeride Junior Tour by Dakine.
Founded to develop the discipline of freeride together with key stakeholders, the PFB consists of the 8 athlete representatives elected by their peers (ski/snowboard - men/women) and a Secretary-General. This constitution provides an organ where athletes’ opinions and wishes on issues such as the competition calendar, conditions at the events, rules, judging, overall ranking system... can be heard and discussed with the FWT organization. This approach ensures better security and higher satisfaction of the riders. This year, the members of the PFB are: Secretary-General: Reine Barkered (SUE) Ski representatives: Fabio Studer (AUT), Drew Tabke (USA), Samuel Anthamatten (SUI), Jaclyn Paaso (USA) Snowboard representatives: Ralph Backstrom (USA), Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA), Shannan Yates (USA)
Idea for a special report: A day of introduction to freeride with an FWT Club instructor and an FWT rider.
// The FWT Club
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FREERIDE JUNIOR TOUR
Cyril Neri: Oganizer of the FJT and professional and snowboarder ”It’s a great pleasure to see the evolution of the sport over the years and to see how more and more young people are becoming passionate about our sport. They form a true community with a freeride spirit just like in the early days of the sport. They are respectful of the environment and mutually and above all, they are very down-to-earth. This cohersion and fraternity between the riders are both unique and essential. It’s hard to imagine just how far this sport can evolve in this unwritten, shared set of values !”
Since 2012, the FWT cooperates with ski schools in Europe to share its freeride expertise and transmit it young skiers and snowboarders as well as adults through a concept called the FWT Club. Designed and approved by the FWT, the FWT Club are programs offered by ski schools, with options from one day to a week, throughout the season. The programs include lessons on technique, safety, introduction to freeride and freestyle and ski days supervised and hosted by professional riders! As a new development this year, 1-star freeride competitions will be organized by some FWT Clubs in order to give new freeriders the opportunity to enter their first freeride competition. www.freerideworldtour.com/ FWT_Club_Presentation PRESSKIT | 7
The stops on the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR by THE NORTH FACE ®
4. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR HAINES - ALASKA BY THE NORTH FACE®
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1. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR CHAM0NIX-MONT-BLANC BY THE NORTH FACE
Date : March 14th 2015 Location : Haines - Alaska, USA Disciplines : Ski and Snowboard – Men and Women
Date : January 24th 2015 Location : Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FRA Disciplines : Ski and Snowboard – Men and Women Chamonix, world freeride capital with backdrop of the Mont Blanc (4810 m), will receive the Freeride World Tour for the 8th year running. Renowned for its epic surrounding peaks and the cable car to Aiguille du Midi (3842 m), the town of Chamonix is the birthplace of many great mountaineers but also of freeride champions like Aurélien Ducroz and Jonathan «Doud’s» Chan who have both won the Freeride World Tour. The reigning world champion, Loïc Collomb-Patton, winner of this stage ski in 2014, will for sure be getting a lot of attention as well as the young Léo Slemett, winner of the FWQ 2014. The competition face, located in the area of La Flégère, offers great possibilities for the riders who will, however, need to be versatile on this varied terrain.
2. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR FIEBERBRUNN KITZBÜHELER ALPEN BY THE NORTH FACE
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Date : January 31st 2015 Location : Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, AUT Disciplines : Ski and Snowboard – Men and Women In the heart of the Tirol, in a traditional atmosphere, the hospitality of the Pillerseetal Valley and its local FWT fans remains unparalleled. This is the only stage of the Freeride World Tour in Austria, recognized worldwide as the top nation of skiing. The mythical North face of Wildseeloder (2118 m) is one of the jewels of the Austrian freeride terrain with a fast and technical 50 degrees gradient. Once again, this stop is on to offer an event of high standards in the magnificent arena of Fieberbrunn.
Only the top 16 male skiers, top 8 male snowboarders, top 7 female skiers and top 5 female snowboarders from the first 3 steps (i.e. 60% of the initial FWT field) will qualify and fly to Alaska. It is in this region of the North American continent, Haines - Alaska that the first ever freeride competitions emerged. Because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the weather conditions are exceptional, making this destination one of the wildest freeride spots in the world. It is in this mysterious setting, eagerly awaited by all riders - supervised by the bald eagle, that the last qualifying stage before the great final in Verbier will take place.
5. SWATCH XTREME VERBIER BY THE NORTH FACE® Date : March 28th 2015 Location : Verbier, SUI Disciplines : Ski and Snowboard – Men and Women On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Xtreme Verbier will be, once again, the grand finale of the Freeride World Tour. Renowned for its beautiful, challenging off piste terrain, the village is located in the Swiss Valais region and is part of the «4 Valleys» ski area culminating in the Mont-Fort (3330 m). With its impressive competition face, the Bec des Rosses mountain (+500 metres vertical drop), the Verbier stage is recognized as the most technical and most demanding by all riders. Only the top ranking riders will get access to this final where the coming four freeride world champions will be crowned. More than 6000 spectators flock each year to attend this final rendezvous of the season.
3. SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR VALLNORD ARCALIS - ANDORRA BY THE NORTH FACE® Date : February 14th 2015 Location : Vallnord Arcalis, AND Disciplines : Ski and Snowboard – Men and Women Famous already since 1998 for organizing extraordinary freeride events, the Vallnord Arcalis in Andorra is originally known for the ‘El Dorado Freeride’ – a popular stop on the Freeride World Qualifier. For the first time, the organizers will welcome the athletes of the Freeride World Tour in 2015. This new stage in the Pyrénees Mountains will offer surprises with its terrain open to all riding styles and with its changing snow conditions. At the end of this third stage, a first selection will be made and only the top 60% of the riders will move on to the next stop of the FWT.
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FWT14 overall ranking
Meet some of the riders
// SKI MEN
// SKI WOMAN
Reine Barkered (SWE) is perhaps the friendliest rider on tour but that not to say that he doesn’t mean business. FWT Champion in 2012 in the men’s skiing categroy and 2nd overall in 2013, Reine is back on the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BY THE NORTH FACE® to confirm his spot on the podiums in 2015.
Matilda Rapaport (SWE) will be back in women’s skiing to fight for fight for the overall title after her best performances that were both in 2013 with victory in the Xtreme Verbier (on a wild card) and a 2nd place in Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen.
Ivan Malakhov (RUS) received one of this year’s wild cards in men’s skiing as he managed to take part in FWQ events of both regions in 2014 and notably skied a spectacular 2nd place line in the 4-star FWQ event, El Dorado Freeride in Vallnord-Arcalis, Andorra.
- MEN’S SKI 1. Loic Collomb-Patton (FRA) World Champion 2. Sam Smoothy (NZL) 3. Jérémie Heitz (SUI)
- WOMEN’S SKI 1. Nadine Wallner (AUT) World Champion 2. Lorraine Huber (AUT) 3. Pia Nic Gundersen (NOR)
- MEN’S SNOWBOARD -
- WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD -
1. Emilien Badoux (SUI) World Champion 2. Jamie Rizzuto (CAN) 3. Sascha Hamm (GBR)
1. Shannan Yates (USA) World Champion 2. Estelle Balet (SUI) 3. Elodie Mouthon (FRA)
Portrait of Loïc Collomb-Patton: World Champion, men’s ski 2014 Born in a family of skiers in the French village and ski resort of la Clusaz, Loïc Collomb-Patton, is a lover of the great outdoors and fishing and hunting enthusiast. Mason in the offseason, this young man’s skiing career turned international in 2004 in the discipline of half-pipe, thus following in the footsteps of freestyle and freeskiing icon, Candide Thovex of the same town. After several serious injuries that required him to stop skiing for longer periods of time, he came back on the skiing scene in 2013, participating in the Freeride World Qualifier series. Quickly, he showed that his experience in freestyle is one of his most valuable assets and he won his spot on the FWT for the following season. He had an extraordinary start on the FWT in 2014 with two consecutive victories on the first two stages (Courmayeur and Chamonix), putting him in the lead of the general ranking and later winning the overall title of Freeride World Champion at the Xtreme Verbier.
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“This title was as much a surprise to me as to anyone else! I would have never imagined to become a World Champion on my first season on the FWT. It is incredible to have lived this unique and pure moment. 2015 will be the occasion to learn how to cope with even more pressure as the defending champion – to try and keep the title for as long as possible!”
Idea for a special report: Follow the athletes in their final preparation for the FWT season.
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“I hope I will maintain a good level of my performance and gain a foothold on the Tour. Really look forward to stop in Alaska, I like the big spaces! All summer I trained in Cervinia (Aosta) in the park on the glacier and on mountain bike wild trails in Valle d’aosta - it’s was a good summer. Last season especially memorable was second place in FWQ4 * Andorra and third place in Telluride, Colorado where I was awarded a nomination «Sick Bird Competing, I have learned that you need to be yourself and then you will succeed.What I like most about competing in freeride is overcoming oneself, the need to subordinate the full control of your body and spirit.”
// SNOWBOARD MAN Men’s snowboarding features Sascha Hamm (GBR), 3rd in Xtreme Verbier 2014 and 3rd in the 2014 FWT overall last season. So far, this is the best ever British performance on the tour. Known for big speed and for being among the few snowboarders to have taken the Hollywood cliff on the Bec des Rosses, this Brit splits his time between London, England and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc which he calls his home mountain.
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“My goal this year is to technically improve my skiing and my strategic thinking when it comes to line choices as well as to be in the run for the overall title. And to have fun of course! The contest in Alaska is the highlight of the season for sure, but I also look forward to going to Andorra. I did a FWQ contest there in 2013 and I really liked the place! For this season I’ve been practicing a lot on the trampoline with a gymnastics coach. It’s been great fun but also a good way to find balance, control and strength when being in the air. The experience I take with me from past years is around the waiting game. It’s mentally challenging to be ready to compete not knowing when it’s time to go. I’ve learned to focus on the right things and not get stressed in these situations. I love combining the strategic and technical challenges of skiing big mountain. The adrenaline rush I get from it can’t be compared to anything else!”
// SNOWBOARD WOMAN Winner of the FWT in 2011 Anne-Flore Marxer (SUI/ FRA) is making a come back in 2015 on a wild card. She has been off shooting film but is now ready to take up the challenge of recapturing the FWT title.
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“I really hope for lots of powder and early bib numbers. Coming from video riding background this is what I need to express my snowboarding and to have a chance for good results. Of course I will do my best to match my past results on the tour. I’m very excited to have a chance of competing in Alaska, the meca of freeriding. The terrain is challenging yet very exciting. It was the main reason for me to come back on the tour. A women’s snowboard event in Alaska, I definitely want to take part in that! My participation in 2011 was my only year competing in freeride events. I was a rookie and didn’t really know how to approach it. Now, a few years later, I feel a bit more experienced and I understand better how I need to choose my lines. Yet I haven’t ridden most of the mountains we will be riding on and I don’t know the other female competitors well. In the end I see it all as an exciting challenge and great learning experience. I was happy to be part of the improvements in the women’s snowboard category of the FWT in 2011, and of course I’m proud of winning the FWT in my first year competing. I’m definitely looking forward to enjoying the new standards and the prize money in the women’s events this year!”
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Safety on the FWT: professionalism ensured by mountain guides & ski patrol As the number one priority on the Freeride World Tour, safety is one of the biggest tasks when organizing FWT competitions. In order to ensure optimal safety at every event, the FWT has partnered up with a true task force of experts in the matter. Mountain guides and ski patrol permanently inspects, monitors and systematically secures the chosen competition faces over a long period leading up to the events. Every single layer of snow is carefully examined to evaluate the conditions and be able to communicate this precious information to the riders as they do their face inspection (relying on binoculars with a view of the full face to pick their lines). Before a competition, according to the conditions, they either validate or postpone the competition with safety in mind. And during the competition they will be placed strategically on the mountain face, ready to intervene at any given time should it be necessary.
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Stéphane Dan alias Fanfan : Moutain guide in Chamonix
”From the first snowfalls and up until the competition, we study the different layers of snow on the competition face meticulously. This allows us to brief the organizers and the riders about the conditions, the spots to avoid and the snow quality. On the big day, a complete team of ski patrol, mountain guides and members of the PGHM is in place, dispersed strategically on the face to ensure optimal safety and to be able to intervene as fast as possible in case of an incident. We have a very special team spirit, aware of the responsibility and trust that we are given from the organizers. We all work in synergy with top priority to provide safety at these competitions.”
MANDATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mandatory mountain safety equipment that is to be worn be every rider at any competition: Helmet, back protector, avalanche transceiver and a backpack with shovel and probe. Advised equipment: ABS® backpack (intelligent airbag system used to prevent complete burial in case of an avalanche)
Idea for a special report: Discover the whole procedure of securing competition sites done by these mountain professional. How do they intervene in case of an incident and how do they ensure optimal safety during these international competitions? Come and meet them on site.
The challenges of media production and its live broadcast Filmed and broadcast for the first time live in 2012, each stage of the Freeride World Tour can today be followed live online. With a little more than 50,000 viewers at the Xtreme Verbier on March 28, 2014, the FWT has now succeeded in reaching a wide audience. This media boom is largely due to the quality of the FWT broadcasts as well as to the enthusiasm of young people for this discipline.
// The men in the shade: cameramen and photographers With advanced photo and video equipment, the media production team has learnt through years of experience how to operate such technologies and equipment on sites which demand great ability to adjust quickly due to the unpredictable, rapidly changing conditions that offer the mountains. The primary objective of these teams is to better illustrate and transcribe events through photographs and video footage. To do this, they use a variety of tools and shots to capture every detail of every run, every jump, every emotion. In a setup worthy of a Mount Everest base camp at the bottom of the competition face, the team comprising Director, editors, graphic artists, cooperate to immediately put together the produced content which is then treated and assembled on-site to be transmitted directly by satellite and broadcast on the internet. KEY FIGURES Configuration TV cameras during the competition: 1 helicopter equipped with a Cineflex, 2 long focal lengths (42x and 80x), 2 at the start, 1 on the face, 1 on the finish line, 1 in the spectators area, 1 idle server, 1 phantom (ultra-slow motion), 2 motorized cameras, 70 GoPro cameras for athletes. Staff: 40 people involved in the live production / transmission.
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David Arnaud: Production Manager of Freeride WorldTour
”Each stage of the FWT brings its own set of challenges for the production team. Sometimes the competition site is validated only 48 hours - or even 36 hours - in advance to adapt to weather conditions and ensure optimal conditions for the athletes. Our infrastructure and our workflows are thought out according to these logistical and athletic requirements, in order to be able to deploy our teams and our equipment by land or helicopter and be operational within a few hours. From the cameramen to the satellite technicians, this is a crew of altogether 40 highly qualified people who have learned to deal with an extremely challenging work environment in order to allow the production and transmission of incredible freeride images, everywhere in the world.“
As for the photographers, stationed at strategic locations of the face, they stand ready to capture the IMAGE, the ACTION, the MOMENT the rider escapes and pursues her line in a cloud of powdery snow. Action shots, atmosphere or portraits, each photographer captures in his own way, the present moment right at the scene in order to recreate as faithfully as possible the emotions of this extreme sport.
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Dom Daher: professional photographer of the Freeride World Tour ”On the Freeride World Tour, everything is team work. We work hand in hand with the production team and we are no longer the isolated photographers. Everything is put in place so that we can work in the best possible conditions. We are fortunate to work in extraordinary places around the best athletes in the world. Our purpose is to use our trained eye and our professional sensitivity to produce the most beautiful images with the desire to always do better. We are given complete liberty as to how to do this!”
Idea for a special report: Temperatures below 0 Celsius are a challenge when working with high tech equipment of this kind. It demands a high level of flexibility when it comes to organizing and executing the whole set up on the mountain which is largely dictated by weather conditions. The production team therefore constantly needs to adapt at every stage and this throughout the season. So how is a live broadcast managed at high altitude? Who are these people who work in the shadows and how do they work in the shadows and how do they work together to produce the best possible, most authentic images of freeriding? Step in behind the scenes of the Freeride World Tour 2015 and experience a very special live production. PRESSKIT | 13
Sponsors ABOUT SWATCH Launched in 1983 by Nicolas G. Hayek, is a leading Swiss watch maker and one of the world’s most popular brands. The first Swatch watches surprised everyone with their revolutionary concept, creative design and provocative spirit. Today Swatch continues to innovate and surprise with new models, collections and special editions. The brand maintains a strong presence in the world of sports with its commitment to snowboarding, freeskiing, surfing, FMX, ice cross downhill and Mountainbike Dirt Jump. Right from the start, Swatch connected with art and artists, and Swatch watches remain a prominent canvas for artists from a broad range of disciplines. www.swatch.com Marco Vaccari, Head of Marketing International with Swatch: “The Freeride World Tour 2015 is a big event for Swatch. It’s great to see the Tour moving up and building even greater momentum. The new events in Andorra and Alaska add punch and excitement to what is already a fantastic set of events. We’re expecting an amazing group of riders this year, with men and women competing at every stop on the Tour— including Alaska, a free-rider’s dream. And since we’re Swiss, of course, we take great pride in seeing the Tour wrap the season in Verbier, Switzerland.”
ABOUT THE NORTH FACE® The North Face®, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in Alameda, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers, and major outdoor specialty retail chains. For more information, go to www.thenorthface.com Jeremy de Maillard, VP of Marketing EMEA, The North Face®: “The ever growing interest in big mountain freeriding and its values speak volume to the quality and passion that the Freeride World Tour is bringing together; from athletes to loyal fans and newly inspired people all over the world. The North Face is a proud supporter of the tour and we’re looking forward to enabling riders to push their limits and living the spirit of exploration in big mountain freeriding throughout the 2015 edition“
ABOUT AUDI The Audi Group delivered approximately 1,575,500 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2013. As one of the most successful models, the Audi A3 has been awarded the title of “World Car of the Year 2014“ by an international jury of journalists (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.1 – 3.2; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 165 – 85). In 2013, the company reported revenue of €49.9 billion and an operating profit of €5.03 billion. The company operates globally in more than 100 markets and has production facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Bratislava (Slovakia), Martorell (Spain), Kaluga (Russia), Aurangabad (India), Changchun (China) and Jakarta (Indonesia). Since the end of 2013, the brand with the Four Rings has also been producing cars in Foshan (China). In 2015, Audi will start production in São José dos Pinhais (Brazil), followed by San José Chiapa (Mexico) in 2016. Wholly owned subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili
Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy), the sports motorcycle manufacturer. The company currently employs approximately 76,000 people worldwide, thereof more than 53,400 in Germany. Total investment of around €22 billion is planned from 2014 to 2018 – primarily in new products and sustainable technologies. Audi is committed to its corporate responsibility and has anchored the principle of sustainability for its products and processes in its strategy. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral mobility. www.audi.com
ABOUT MARKER For more than 60 years now, Marker has been a driving force of skiing innovations and solutions. As a pioneer and premium manufacturer of bindings systems and protective snow equipment, the Marker name is synonymous around the globe with performance and safety in winter sports. Marker’s Royal Family of freeski bindings have attained legendary status, as can be seen in the roster of pro riders who put their trust in Marker even in the toughest arenas, including the Freeride World Tour. More information www.marker.net
ABOUT VÖLKL As the sole ski maker developing and producing in Germany, Völkl is proud of its 90 years of «Made in Germany» quality. The brand with the famous double V has been the origin of many of the greatest innovations in the history of skiing. The firm from the Bavarian town of Straubing is today among the most famous and successful global brands in winter sports, serving up world-class gear for classic alpine as well as freeride and freestyle adventures. Völkl’s international freeski team brings together some of the best riders on the planet, who lay it all on the line atop Völkl ski models like the SHIRO and TWO. More information www.voelkl.com
ABOUT GOPRO Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRO) GoPro, Inc. is transforming the way consumers capture, manage, share and enjoy meaningful life experiences. We do this by enabling people to capture compelling, immersive photo and video content of themselves participating in their favorite activities. Our customers include some of the world’s most active and passionate people. The volume and quality of their shared GoPro content, coupled with their enthusiasm for our brand, are virally driving awareness and demand for our products. What began as an idea to help athletes document themselves engaged in their sport has become a widely adopted solution for people to document themselves engaged in their interests, whatever they may be. From extreme to mainstream, professional to consumer, GoPro has enabled the world to capture and share its passions, and the world, in turn, is enabling GoPro to become one of the most exciting and aspirational companies of our time. For more information, visit www.gopro.com or connect with GoPro on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or LinkedIn.
ABOUT DAKINE Based in Hood River, Oregon, DAKINE was founded in Maui, Hawai’i in 1979 by a long-time surfer, Rob Kaplan. DAKINE’S first product, a revolutionary new surf leash, quickly gained worldwide popularity. In Hawaiian slang, “Dak ine” means “the best” and the company has lived up to this standard through attention to detail, focus on accessories and a notoriously through design process. With its reputation for top quality, DAKINE quickly grew beyond its surfing roots and has become the standard in board sports accessories for top athletes in the worlds of snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, mountain biking, windsurfing and kite boarding, in addition to surfing. Today, DAKINE offers a complete range of innovative products, including sport-specific and street-savy backpacks, bags, travel gear and accessories, plus a fashionable girl’s bag collection. The company remains focused on building durable, innovative products of the best quality for the most demanding athletes. For 32 years, this passion has given DAKINE its longevity in the action sports industry and has personified its reputation for excellence. www.dakine.com ABOUT SCOTT SCOTT SPORTS SA, based in Givisiez, Switzerland, is a leading international manufacturer of premium bike accessories/ equipment, wintersport, running and motorsport products. Since 1958 founder Ed Scott`s initial version of technical innovation has served as the cornerstone for the company`s philosophy: innovation, technology, design. The longterm partnership with the Freeride World Tour underlines the commitment of SCOTT for the Freeride Sport and fits perfectly to our brand image and -positioning. SCOTT is the official Tour Supplier for Skis, Poles, Eyewear, Body Protection and Helmets. For more information please visit: www.scott-sports.com
ABOUT ABS® TWINBAG FOR LIFE The hundred times tried and proven TwinBag system benefits from many years of experience and quality made in Germany. In an emergency, the TwinBag system can be effortlessly activated in a matter of seconds. The dual airbags have a volume of 170L, forming an effective, wide surface area together with the body. The side-mounted, flexible airbags stabilize the entire body and the airbags are designed to prevent any snow gathering between the back of the head and the airbag itself. Two airbags offer double safety. If one is damaged during the descent, the other will remain inflated. The shape and position of the ABS® TwinBags increase the chances of staying on the surface of the avalanche significantly and reduce the risk of injury. www.abs-airbag.com
ABOUT KASK KASK is a riders own brand, introduced to the freeride world by skiing legends Kaj Zackrisson and Sverre Liliequist, both from Sweden. It all started with hand crochet beanies that they made themselves. Today, more than ten years later, the brand still stands for «unique stuff to wear with pride», and now carries a wide range of high quality beanies, ski goggles, 100% merino base layers and socks. For more info and webshop, visit www.kaskofsweden.com - Live a little!
ABOUT BLUE TOMATO Blue Tomato was founded as a snowboard school in 1988, by the European Snowboard Champion Gerfried Schuller. In 1994 he went on to open the first Blue Tomato brick and mortar store in Schladming. Schuller soon realized that there was great potential in online shopping and launched the first version of blue-tomato.com in 1997. The brand has been growing and developing steadily over the years and is currently one of Europe’s largest online board sports retailers. Blue Tomato carries an extensive range of sports equipment, specialized on four sports; snowboard, freeski, skate and surf. On offer is a wide selection of everything from sports equipment such as snowboards, freeskis, skateboards and surfboards, to an extensive range of snowwear, streetwear and shoes. The product range covers over 400,000 items from over 400 renowned brands. Besides the online shop on www.blue-tomato.com, Blue Tomato operates nine stores in Austria and eight stores in Germany. The newest stores are Blue Tomato Shop Linz, Blue Tomato Shop Salzburg, Blue Tomato Shop Villach and Blue Tomato Shop Berlin. For more information visit www.blue-tomato.com or drop by one of our stores your ride. our mission ABOUT TEKO Ever since TEKO, the eco-performance sock brand, was launched ten years ago it has combined performance, comfort and fit with strong ethical and environmentally friendly values. TEKO is a Scottish company owned and run by a team of passionate freeriders and foot experts. They are passionate about caring for the environment and looking at a sustainable supply chain where they know precisely where all of their raw materials originate from and how they are selected and processed. They ensure that the production process has further minimal impact on the planet by using natural energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro, to power the factories that manufacture TEKO socks. TEKO has been a licensed partner of the Freeride World Tour for three years and has just signed a new three year deal. The TEKO FWT range launching this Autumn is made from chlorine-free merino, recycled polyester and incorporates their latest technology, the WRAP SYSTEM, designed to ensure the snuggest, most stable and comfortable fit ever. Our goal is to be the best socks for the planet. Now we can truly be the best freeride sock on the planet! www.tekoforlife.com
ABOUT MONS ROYALE Mons Royale creates versatile merino clothing that blends performance with style to be worn on and off the mountain. Launched in 2009, the brand has grown from its hometown of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand – a southern hemisphere mecca for skiers and boarders from ‘ski bum’ seasonaire to elite athletes who come here to train and compete in the pristine Southern Alps. It’s the enthusiasm and love for the brand of these riders that has helped Mons Royale spread through the action sports scene and led it to be stocked in 400 stores across the globe. For the 20th annual Freeride World Tour Mons Royale will be helping keep athletes fresh for the long haul by creating a unique set of FWT base layers. Athletes will travel in comfort between the world class resort stops thanks to the soft merino fabric; keep warm while waiting for those perfect freeride conditions; cherish the temperature regulating qualities of merino when they hike their way to the best freeride terrain in the world and head out to the après celebrations confident that after the event their Mons Royale garments will still feel and look good. www.monsroyale.com
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