FWT by Peak Performance roster announced – 40 riders locked in across four format
Freeride World Tour is back with a talented new field ready to engage the big mountains
- FWT23 qualified riders face off against promoted athletes from the 2023 Challenger series
- Wildcards yet to be revealed
- Extra event in Georgia offers riders another opportunity to qualify for the FWT Finals
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – October 26, 2023: The FWT has released a star-studded lineup of athletes for the upcoming winter, fueling the stoke of freeride fans across the globe. The young guns last year exceeded the expectations of many, but this year’s new class of rookies looks stronger than ever, and will surely bring their A-game on the big stage. Can the established roster hold their own and outclass the new recruits? Here are the 40 athletes that will soon answer this question.
Ski men
18 riders from four continents have qualified in the ski men category. The retirement of two legends last year has opened the field right up, setting up a potentially nail-biting season. Can Valentin Rainer defend his crown? Or will the ever-consistent Maxime Chabloz go one better than last year and repeat his audacious run in FWT22? Eyes will also be on last year’s sensations Max Hitzig, Marcus Goguen and Max Palm, but surprises are sure to come with a dazzling list of rookies in the mix.
- Carl Regnér Eriksson (SWE)
- Finn Bilous (NZL)
- Andrew Pollard (USA)
- Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
- Max Palm (SWE)
- Simon Perraudin (SUI)
- Max Hitzig (GER)
- Valentin Rainer (AUT)
- Oscar Mandin (FRA)
- Marcus Goguen (CAN)
- Martin Bender (SUI)
- Tenra Katsuno (JAP)
- Blake Marshall (NZL)
- Ben Richards (NZL)
- Colton Shaff (USA)
- Wei Tien Ho (CAN)
- Jackson Bathgate (CAN)
- Kendall Goodman (USA)
Ski women
The strength of the ski women’s roster intensifies each year, and this season’s list certainly continues this trend, with every athlete looking ready to fire on all cylinders. Justine Dufour-Lapointe outclassed the rest of the field in FWT23, and all eyes will be on the Canadian to see if she carries this form into 2024.
- Megane Betend (FRA)
- Addison Rafford (USA)
- Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN)
- Molly Armanino (USA)
- Astrid Cheylus (FRA)
- Sybille Blanjean (SUI)
- Lydia Nelsen (USA)
- Taylor Dobyns (USA)
Snowboard men
The big question in this category is whether riders will turn to big mountain moves or free-flowing freestyle to impress the judges – or maybe both? Ludovic Guillot-Diat enjoyed immense success last year, owning the podium in every event, and ultimately taking home the season’s silverware. But Jonathan Penfield also made headlines – storming home with a win in Austria – and will be looking to carry that form into 2024.
- Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA)
- Michael Mawn (USA)
- Liam Rivera (MEX)
- Holden Samuels (USA)
- Jonathan Penfield (USA)
- Timm Schroeder (GER)
- Hugo Serra (FRA)
- Brian Stenerson (USA)
- Warren Doyle (USA)
Snowboard women
This focus in this category will be on Katie Anderson to see if she can repeat her heroics of 2023, which included three wins from four starts. Her consistency over the past few seasons makes her a firm favorite, but can she hold her nerve with a phenomenal field in tail, including FWT23 runner-up Anna Orlova.
- Katie Anderson (CAN)
- Anna Orlova
- Estelle Rizzolio (FRA)
- Anna Martinez (FRA)
- Erin Sauve (CAN)
Be sure to watch all these classy competitors at www.freerideworldtour.com in the six FWT events this season. In the meantime, stay tuned to the FWT social media channels and subscribe to the FWT newsletter to keep pace with the latest news as it drops.
About the FWT
FWT Management SA is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and has been organizing premier sports events globally in mountain resorts since 1996. The company founded the Xtreme Verbier, an iconic event in freeride skiing and snowboarding, and turned this single competition into a prestigious series of worldwide events in 2008, the Freeride World Tour (FWT). The company has since grown to include multiple competition series that fall under the FWT brand – including FWT Challenger, FWT Qualifier and FWT Junior – with events across all formats taking place in Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.
About Peak Performance
Born in the Swedish mountains out of love for skiing in remote, untouched terrain. Our passion for adventure and nature runs deep. Peak Performance is for like-minded souls, with an urge to explore wild and beautiful places, both near and far. Our Scandinavian heritage is present in everything we do and our commitment to doing better things in a better way is our never-ending responsibility.