Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face

The first stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour in Revelstoke B.C. just came to a successful close. News of the newly organized freeride tour came around at the bitter end of 2012 when the decision was made to combine a handful of different tours, both ski and snowboard, into one competition allowing for easier travel schedules and the ability to determine a true world champion.

Revelstoke, a world-class playground, located in southeastern British Columbia was the first stop in one of six, big mountain venues. The skiers and riders waited for nearly a week for the venue to clear so they could properly view the course. The event went off without a hitch and came out with some surprise top finishers as most of the heavy favorites fell. This is one of the great elements of the sport, its truly anyone’s game. Check out the results!

SKI MEN

1. Drew Tabke (USA)
2. Jérémie Heitz (SUI)
3. Julien Lopez (FRA)

SNOWBOARD MEN

1. Ralph Backstrom (USA)
2. Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA)
3. Aurélien Routens (FRA)

SKI WOMEN

1. Christine Hargin (SWE)
2. Nadine Wallner (AUT)
2. Natalie Segal (AUS)

SNOWBOARD WOMEN

1. Shannan Yates (USA)
2. Margot Rozies (FRA)
3. Elodie Mouthon (FRA)

This is Ralph Backstroms second year in a row winning at Revelstoke but first time riding this year’s location on Mac Daddy face. It’s killer to see a young rider snag a win two years in a row. This also further solidifies the Backstrom name as bad asses of the big hills not only as two plankers, but also as serious knuckle draggers.

If you missed the first stop of the New Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face be sure to check out the next stop at Courmayerur-Mont Blanc, Italy. For the full tour schedule go to http://www.freerideworldtour.com/the-tour.html