COMPETITION BROADCAST - FWT20 Hakuba, Japan

[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] what's up freeride world welcome to the bread will tour for the 2020 first stop here in Hakuba Japan Hakuba Valley Japan's largest connected snow resort and here we are and hapu on a the premier freeride terrain of that valley my name is Neil Willemijn and I'm here to present the Fred Wahl tour this year with Lorraine Hoover fresh in the commentary box after being the 2017 fredward to a champion how does it feel to be back Lorraine hey Neil thank you for the intro it feels great I am I was missing the free ride family and this gives me an opportunity to still travel with everyone and I'm pretty excited about the new rock that's mine you're saying it's your tribe you've come back to your tribe it is it is my tribe it's a really special bunch of people you don't come across that very often that's right there's a lot of strong energy floating around the Huckabee Valley this week as we get the comp underway and going here on Sunday only the second date with the wheeler window unusually for Japan we have lots of Sun and not that much snow so interesting to see the change and not only a change and the weather and snow but a change in the venue as well that's right we've got a completely new competition menu it's called South Pole none of the writers have written this menu which definitely levels the playing field so I think it really benefits the rookies coming in especially the ones from the States who of course as you know Neil are used to doing a visual inspection they inspect on snow so I think it will be a good way to ease into this season for everybody yeah that's right as you're saying leveling the playing field Iran having a visual inspection of a venue that none of them have skied before and competition so facecheck day is the day that they do that and likely we've also had good weather for them to have a good look at the face let's have a look at their thoughts about that day when they were having a look at the lights are going to ski [Music] we are trying to find the best way that's gonna fit our style of riding to come down got Sunshine's pretty much perfect weather for scope and lines so here we are first thing is to start looking at features and then link them together and then start to look at all the da [Music] okay so feedback somebody the face looks really good to me I love this kind of terrain but I think we gotta play it smart and just slow down I think flow is the right word food is calm [Music] so kicking off the snow would mimic a degree for the Fed will to 2020 Blake ham first run last year and might be doing one of the podiums again today here we have David beard another American on the top three with Blake and last year Sammy would be slipping out the first time since 2015 of the top three but not only the Americans were dominant the frenchman victor Delarue following and his brother's footsteps they brothers EV taking of one on the big de Ross last year and the overall of the day is the snow would manic kicking off the world tour for 2020 just like they did in 2019 and Hakuba here's the start list we've got 11 writers usually two of them not starting today unfortunately but nine very talented international snowboarders who's your pick today they're in I mean of course Victor de la Lu reigning world champion he's just come off from a win as well he's gonna be really confident and definitely a big favorite I think today yeah that's right I've got other worlds who were champions and the pack as well Sammy Lukey and the top three from 2015 till 2018 but last year 2019 not making the top three overall so I think he'll be hungry to make a comeback as well so Sammy looki previous will to a champion hungry to regain his title just dropping in on course now yeah three times world champion back-to-back wins that's just incredible see what he's got for us today he is making his way down the ridge to drop in with a nose but a three what a way to get the season started off Lorraine yeah it's um he's so impressive to me you know to win a World Championship three years back to back and another 360 really cool transfers a little bit challenging snow and Sammy just sending it that was so stylish he's dealing so well with that top section because the snows really firm up there yeah coming into a blind rollover now you won't be able to see anything coming into that section you can see that snow is a little bit Sun affect and potentially weren't effective but no problem for Sammy just flying down no hesitation and lots of speed yes 360 from Sammy super controlled and some really nice turns in there yeah looks he's hunting the rights no get in the grabs putting in another stylish looking like he didn't expect the Traverse tracking that landing though catching him out and by taking a little bit jump through the bottom but surfing it out through the end of the venue and making it look all too easy at that Traverse track pretty hard Lorraine what do you think it's going to do to a school unfortunately that will be damaged it was really fluid and good up until then but the judges will obviously take that into consideration multiple tricks 360s grabs finding the good snow is looking really smooth water way to open the 2020 freeride World Tour season from Sammy Luke Ebert not sure well I don't know it could be on top of the podium it could be on the podium but if all the other riders keep everything on their feet then it'll be tough for Sammy to claim the top spot the first competition here today you know I really liked him hitting that lower feature it almost looks like a spine you'd find in Alaska I think he really used the terrain super well and we already have a score coming in from Sammy at sixty six point six seven yeah that's exactly two-thirds of the way up the 0 to 100 score yeah I think he's gonna be a little bit disappointed with that Neil Sammy's got high standards previous we look to a champion but we're already back up to the top for the next rider dropping on who we got the rain we have Elias L hat he's a wild card here he is very well known for his film parts and he's here to challenge himself on the tool which I find really cool from Germany he came second both in fever bran and at the Xtreme Verbier in 2018 and he is back for more Elias L heart on course right now coming out of start gate and starting to make his way down the ridge a lot of options in this menu today as different places the riders can drop all accessed from this road you see most of them traversing across looking for the good snow looking for the good features making sure that they can find something that suits their style and aleus looks like he's dropping it a little bit earlier than sami not going quite as far down the ridge coming near over to semi now call it a bit more traversing lower underneath the ridge boots chucking the 360 already as well yeah backside 360 from Aaliyah said I think that he is really probably going to enjoy this venue because it's playful it's what he likes he likes to play with the mountain as opposed to really scary steep technical lines that he just ski down he's looking for for hitting various features and and putting in tricks for sure fun creative stuff so if I think that second gear was the same as Sami didn't go quite as big as the judges will be comparing that but now he's singing it did he get a method on that one yeah that's what I think it looked like it he's back on that spine a little bit love to wear Sami was lost a little bit of fluidity there he's just dropping into that good snow yes Sami made that section really smooth fast and Asian's incredibly good snowboarder of course aliases as well but the judges will be comparing these guys riding similar lines so I think that so far it's gonna be interesting because similar lines the trick big 360 from Ilyas and the difference is putting it to his feet with Sami had a control issues so really cool way to finish off the run from Elise then yeah and he followed it up with another air at the bottom and wow that 360 was just beautiful look at the transition he found there yes another little backside shifty ear there as well Wow really smooth stuff from Elias I feel like you didn't start off as hot as Sami but then he has a control issue with the bottom and Elias jacket and extra air and 360 yeah I do expect also the school to be better than Sammy's let's see we have a score coming in of seventy seven point six seven they're fairly happy with that I would be very happy with that if I was them first run of the season variable snows and blind takeoffs that bottom transfer 360 was a big favorite of mine so creative and cool really nailing the landing as well that was a pinpoint snipe landing her to go just far enough to make the transition find the good snow not land on those rocks and put everything to his feet put him in first place for now got a next rider lining up in the start gate now and we have Davey beard out of Alaska that's right Davey I think is going to be hungry for the wind Neal because he was second overall in 2019 third overall in 2017 and 2018 he's going to want to have that top spot very creative writer yeah and I also like how technical his lines are he is from Alaska so I think he's very used to skiing and riding spines so maybe we're gonna see that Louis by being hit by him too that's right out of the gate now introducing on the ridge I think he was just behind the ridge right now a little bit of fog dressing menu making it slightly difficult to see the very top cameramen making sure they can zoom in on Davey as he comes down the road just next to the cable now coming into the slightly softer snow which isn't right on the ridge but coming back up on to the ridge similar to Sammy a wonderful city knows better from him as well he starts off with a bang yeah backside 360 that's always so good if you can start your line with a trick like that Oh Davey beard going through a big backflip Wow this competition is already heating up we're only three riders in and every single one has done multiple tricks coming to this horse clue horse clue shifted now you know a horseshoe is ah he did that so well boom Davi bid that features intimidating because it is then you know the snowpack is very below average this year another hit from Devi gosh I like my choice I have to say yeah it's cool different to semi and alyas I'm putting in another solar shifted on the bottom just as he comes across the judging light now how are you gonna judge that Lorraine lucky we're not judges today because it has been tough work that is gonna be tough work and obviously will depend on what the other writers are doing blind choice for me was amazing those always something happening and we have the score coming in with sixty four point six seven for Devi Baird the Alaskan that's right so just understand me and Sammy both control it was just a big stand onto the Traverse Jack's so Viktor Delarue on course now that a finding will to a champion out of France coming fresh awful weren't in the first four star of the season and loaders yet France let's see what he's got for us here today on apparently similar snow to help us was yeah that's right there's nothing better that can happen to already start your season with a win it's just so good for confidence which is key in for our competition that's right comes down the ridge first for us our season actually New Zealand the first European fourth star of the season as the one that he is just one yeah getting into the venue now as I saying there's snow a little bit wouldn't fix it up on that Ridge but he's making light work of it he's coming in switch over the wind lip 180 oh yeah nice half cab from Victor they're getting into the nicer more wind and Sun sheltered snow and you can really see on his perfect same spot as Davey going a little bit more cross hills sniping that landing and just putting it straight to his feet landing bolts amazing control different approach now yeah pretty heavy compression on that landing toe dealt with it like a champ like champ that he is strong legs plant same as alyas Oh turning it into a double as well three there puts it straight in his feet again and the soft steep snow and then doubling out of it just bullying off the next roller to make it look all too easy for the defendant wheel to a champ and I'm gonna put it out the Lorraine I think that is gonna be the top spot so far today yeah I totally agree with you so impressive such good control for the difficult conditions we have today the score is in eighty three point six seven clear winner right now yeah sitting comfortably in first place and Victor del aerobic can take a seat in the hot seat as he has done so many times recently I think that happy but last year was his only stop where he did that's right last year I believe that he crashed actually here in Hakuba yeah much better run this year Jonathan Penfield just about to drop in on course our next competitor the man out of Tahoe now based in Whistler and he has been waiting in that start gate for quite a while as we've been on with a hold on the course yeah that's right that can be quite tough on an athlete if you're having to wait up in the start just to manage those energy levels as well hopefully he'll be all right yeah that's right tough to stay in that zone that you get yourself so psyched up into but Jonathan pinochle Oreo on course now taking a week yeah off the rich just about the cable above the cable to get himself started coming towards the first features now and what's he got for us today starting off his line with the first smaller air and airing of that Ridge putting his side way he's getting some spray right up in his face before sitting out for a nice three off the same clip and Victor backflipped finding some good snow in there yeah he's good at that good at that shout out to Derek foods first shouting out to Jonathan pit field for always saying he finds a good snow in Whistler Canada I asked into this bottom section of campaigners that was super fluid into that section looks like the visibility's maybe a little bit worse for the Johnathan than it was for some of the other writers through that same section coming into the section now we're semi lucky had some issues in the landing taking another smaller fluid solid and honest feet maybe feeling the effect of having stood and the Stargate in the cold for such a long time Big Ups to Jonathan for keeping the mental game strong keeping on his feet making smart decisions not the amplitude or as many tricks as the other riders but still really reason to watch yeah so we just had this score coming in for Jonathan Penner with 62-43 that's right so just underneath both Sammy and Davey I believe it's interesting to compare it in that way with the salmon Debbie really went for it they sent it they crashed on the tricks but Jonathan coming just underneath them even though he stayed on his feet because he was riding a little bit more controlled little bit slower I think was actually smart to take that approach in this flat light and slightly difficult waiting conditions so next rider on course Cody Brahma has also had a slight with a hold before dropping in and see the clouds are drifting in and out causing the delay to the competition one advantage of the fact that we have delayed broad House's you don't have to sit and wait through that as we just have and Cody Brahma just has but props to him for waiting in start gate I hope he's not too cold hope he can keep his focus hope the light doesn't get too flat and he's coming down the ridge now they're in yeah I'm really excited to see Cody ride I've heard amazing things about him the Swede is meant to be very smooth so let's see what he has in store for us super talented young that's not what it out of Sweden done quite well at the Swedish big mountain championships are at the Scandinavian big mountain championships in Wisconsin and Sweden coming into the top of the section now lining up his first cliff and taking it cross hill yeah I wonder if the visibility there was tricky for him but he mastered it really well yeah the visibility's a little bit tough for me to see him actually I wasn't sure if it was a shifty or a spin but this was definitely a spin unfortunately coming a little bit unstuck on landing bit of a backseat hand drag coming out of that one still looking solid and smooth on his way down to the central part of the face though but I don't think anyone else has written so far today another 360 360 he is enjoying this face he seems to be really playful in his riding style that's right Cody qualifying for the Fed will to it through the if dub cued last year and getting the transition really well there yeah looks like he enjoyed that ride Big Ups to Cody one slightly backseat landing and apart from that really smooth control fluid and a different run going to a complete upper part of the face yeah you put a face and like good on him you know as a rookie on the tour it really is so different competing on the world to a level of the qualifier level big my game we have Cody school coming in with a sixth place with 60 points straight tough gig for Cody six out of six at the moment sitting just blue Jonathan pain-filled I'd say probably mainly due to that back seat landing where he put his hand down in the snow higher up on the face it's been a really high level today such good runs from all the riders yeah every rider has tricked so far I believe essentially even multiple tricks from every single rider that's something that you have to do these days to be on the podium X rider is Blake Blake Ham opening up the comp last year huge backflip off the top hat in October and 2019 Blake also was third overall in 2019 he's a confident rider he now actually does have a few years on the tour under his belt which will be useful for him today considering that they had to wait as well because of the weather hold so it is a bit of a mental game yeah the experience strengthens the mental game I believe and Blake relaxed guy but can get in the zone and get really focused starting off with a switchback one off the wind look nice smooth way to start your competition season coming in hard into this one those backside 360 and I really liked how how well he did that speed check out for the first feature going into a back flip ah with a bubble in the landing yeah washing out a little bit getting a little bit backseat still putting it to his feet though it'll be interesting to see how that is penalized and compared to the other runs perfect wrecks and crashes yes so many tricks ah yes it's like one or the other that is gonna be really popular the judges now he's going into a new part of the face on the look is less yeah look at him enjoying that good snow or anyone go out here so far taking that one deep but a little bit of a flat landing a mutually unexpected hard snow I think it was firmer there than he was expecting nice slashes on the shady sheltered snow though really enjoying the bottom of this menu Blake for sure getting a little bit caught up in the bushy section at the bottom there I'm not a hundred percent with that as a bubble blow the judging line but I think it was just above where the judging finishes as traverse tracks unofficially in my opinion mark about where the judging is completed I'm not harvesting Sean there we might be able to see it reflected in a score but the crash on the back foot higher up will probably hurt his chances for a top finish today anyway yeah I mean gosh I loved his line selection [Music] [Music] we have the score coming in now with a seventh place at 46.67 that's right so high level and the guys love winning today starting off with a bang some of the early writers got to ride with a slightly bit of visibility in my opinion and although the conditions are significantly worse now a little bit less visibility and a bit more time waiting on Stargate seems to have impacted on some of the later riders but a bit cold like the bottom next right at coming up we have Misaki mitsuhashi Missa Misaki the winner of the free software well qualified wildcard here today he's gonna have a big fan base don't you think Neil yeah that's right a lot of locals as you're saying winning the three star and getting wildcard into this will tour event yeah I think he started started off his run with a little air out of the gate as well a little bit tough for us to see that exactly with a little bit of fog still hanging around but I'm not sure if many riders have done that yet so already cool and creative out of the stack cake for the Japanese right now yeah he's just coming in out over the ridge I believe he is riding switch yes 360 ah little bubble in that speed check Oh coming unstuck again unfortunately looks like a bit of flat light in that area spinning into the venue as you are saying and then landing and what looked like reasonable snow but not the best visibility and then coming quite quickly towards the next rollover probably a bit blind and coming unstuck again a bit of a butt cheek but now back in a nice snow and the gully as were saying this area is bit more sheltered from the Sun and the wind so the snow has held up a bit better there and looks a bit more fun to be riding skis of course and that top section is quite wind buffed doing some nice turns through this section definitely finding some better snow what's he got in store for us that's like you putting in 180 that's right coming down to the bottom section skipping this feature that has been hurt by multiple other riders won't do good things for a score unfortunately if you see other riders making better use of the terrain and it's usually pretty detrimental to to the score of the next rider coming and he is coming off a three star competing against the best beard snow so pretty challenging stuff for the Japanese right of the day I don't think that's gonna be a top school for us you know I think there's probably a lot of pressure as well there's a local road I can I can really imagine that he wants to do well he wants to make you know he's local community proud a score of 40 straight I believe that is sitting in last place now unfortunately for Misaki that when it was a three star so the last writer of the snowboard men category today Niels I'm in ditch I'm not sure if it's a mental niche or a minute Nick anyway he's just about to drop on our course he sounds like his European writer but he's actually from the states has a brother named Hans which makes me sound even more like the European family but straight out of America dropping in out of the start gate popping in here already straight away and coming down the ridge towards is droppin going right is right I believe another one of our rookies so we're really curious to watching him ride that's right I think he's a wild card in fact the will to a rookie maybe it was Blake Muller that qualified but I think he got injured so shout out to Blake brother brother of Griffin Walla also previously competing on the freeride world tour and Neil's mintage the American young rookie starting off was that 180 oh yeah I believe it was a 360 actually off the ridge coming in really hot there but taking a lot of speed nice 360 amazing really nice ah making that speech check look easy wow he's got confidence he's coming so hot into this bottom section slashing that red reminiscent of Sammy looki the first rider in the last rider putting down similar runs and spinning off that is so smoothly now the backside 360 perfectly executed another small air with a grab and he's enjoying the snow in there so quick to taking that same bottom in Jonathon pinochle I believe in stomping that landing which looked quite flat bit of a compression but just smashing it that was control and aggression there wow I'm impressed amazing performance for the rookie what a way to start the competition season off the first category is now complete snowboard man and I wonder if that'll bump someone off the blower team at the moment we have big to Delarue at lea cell Hut and Sammy the loop key sitting in the top three I wanted you come to score second place Niels vintage 78 points well done first provide will to a competition and taking out a podium then potentially tricky and challenging conditions just made it look easy absolutely crews down their face bumping alleys L heart down to third place with Victor de la who reigning world champions in first place unstoppable right now Victor delarue's winning the world tour last year with four straight podiums and now first and the first competition here in 2020 yeah was a one pretty good it was a really tricky business condition especially in Japan you expect deep snow but it was we had no idea if you would be like hard pack of powder in some places and yeah just tried to go for a backflip on top hopefully this went super well even though it was the second of my entire year doing a backflip so I stomped it perfect and then wants to go to the riders ride that had to improvise my run because I couldn't reach it it was too fast so most part of my reign was in presentation but I had fun on top snowboard men kicking things off today a little bit of variable light for them unfortunately but still sending it especially the first few runs out of the gate big tricks big storms couple of big crashes to him yeah it's not easy if you have to wait at the start and can't start your line straight away but they performed so well and we have a first place of course with Victor de la who reigning world champion you really impressed coming in second place Nils mint niche absolute rookie on the tour so confident as if he's been riding on the tour for a long time and in third place wild card from Germany Elias L hat that's right two wildcards is performing like hydrants yeah thanks for the show boys thanks for the show [Music] and on to scheme n Lewis limit out of France previous will to a champion coming back from a knee injury during the season last year and taking a top three place really impressive stuff from the Frenchman who unfortunately won't be competing today due to REE tweaking that knee injury Christopher to Adele dog out of Sweden on the hunt for another world to a title taking the overall crown and the glory in 2018 he finished second last year with crazy runs led that one on the victor Ross Marcus e to the taking the top spot last year in 2019 after seeking in 2018 unfortunately won't be competing today but sit the standard at his rival last year [Music] skew guys hard-hitting category coming hot out yet real soon we've got former four Edwards were champions new faces injury wildcards lots of exciting things to see you today Lorraine yeah we have a lot of new faces but also some writers who were already familiar with coming off injury hopefully they'll be able to perform like they want to today and just yeah have fun in the process yeah that's right we've got some film skiers coming back as well people that haven't really competed in the freeride world tour before or even qualifiers but such talented film skiers are stepping into the competition circuit now I'm really excited to see how that's going to go Greg Murray out of New Zealand just about to kick off the male ski category for the 2020 world tour here in Huckabee Valley couple on a ski resort and Japan Craig had an impressive season last year winning the kicking horse stop unfortunately hurting himself at the fibrin stop and taking the rest of season off so wonder how much fire he's got in his belly to get things done here today I think he's got a lot of fire he actually focused on his studies over the summer and he's going to be keen on getting back into competition and here he comes come on straight on the ridge now we can hear the cheers I'm here Craig Murray coming hot into this first hit no one else has hit that from the snowboard category I don't believe in turning it into a jump turn around the cable at the top of the venue and coming straight into a gnarly section putting a three off it over it into the variable snow but shutting it down like it's no problem great perfect controlled landing on a heater right now yes airing into that a-frame shaped feature seeing a completely different line from any of the snowboarders Craig Murray's just selecting something completely out of the blue even in slightly poor visibility I think it's a little bit flat light and he is charging down then adding in a safety grab as well on that air and here we go with that transfer oh and he takes it really deep and super nice landing there he finds a good snow for the learning yeah and he's down that was a blistering run yes Murray what a way to start the category Wow I just love the speed like it's just so impressive especially knowing side conditions it's fast and you just rip that way it's always great judges score coming in now for Craig Murray starting things off with 70 points 70 points pretty impressive run from the youngsters especially since a lot looked a little bit flat well conditions today both in terms of weather and snow and it's really gonna be a mental game as well as how strong your eyes are in terms of how you can handle it it always is a mental game but like definitely the highlight of who's run was at top three like it was just so well executed and what impresses me is how controlled who was in the landing as well didn't even see that as a feature christopher turtle out of sweden the 2018 freeride world to a champion as our next rider on course who's second overall last year and I believe he was third overall in 2017 so top three overall all of the last three years in a row such a consistent right I don't think of ever seeing him crash at a contest and he's just so smooth a true pleasure to watch riding for peak performance that's right big performance rider out of Sweden not competing quite a long time aren't he doing in him the names of big mountain championship winning that and then deciding through the qualifiers qualifying first year he tried and on the world away ever since seniors like that really nice 360 landing it on his feet another nice air there that was actually one of the biggest things we've seen today but so smooth he looks so if it listen easy that it just you don't really realize how big it is and how fast he's going yeah I mean another three oh yeah holding it together he came onto one leg and was able to continue skiing almost three pure determination not to crash the turtle stays on his feet this last head he's got line up yes nice smooth not quite as big as Craig went on that same head but really smooth puts the grab and no problems coming down to the finish line blistering run from Christopher to Adele 2018 for edible to a champion especially those top is super creative yeah and it's you know it's exciting to see him doing more tricks because he used to be that real typical big mountain rider and to see him adding more tricks into the game is awesome putting the three almost at cause score coming in for Christopher to Adel now it is 70 point six seven so sitting first at the moment but only just Tanna hall from the USA he doesn't need much of an introduction really does he Neal he's an absolute legend of the ski world that's right the ski boss following on from Craig and Christopher a young gun and established face in one of the legends of the sport the first three out of the gate and the guys ski category really interesting what tenens gonna make of this venue it's a playful one but the snow is variable any likes to ski soft playful skis for knows better than other tricks so really stoked to see the ski boss dropping into the course right meow he came second in Huckabay last year he does like playful venues oh so I think he might actually enjoy the variety that this face offers him he's right and the top 360 to follow it up er dings and the sneaks Harry Japan stomping the purse out of it perfect I just got high sighted in the the snow is a bit softer in that area and he really fought to keep it on his feet but just didn't manage yeah coming dark after getting a little bit wild on that role of I think it might have even been a little bit of ever launched debris or something dear little but old wits laughs it looks like this and consistent takes you're on the surface of the snow you've got you playing off people through it just looks like he punched through and it became softer in that area and he was just going really fast and also going across the fall line which can be tricky because he can punch in with one ski and not with the other he is okay of course he's going to be disappointed but look how you can do is do your best he's just making his way down to the finish line Tanner Hall no score unfortunately since he lost the ski he can be proud though I mean the riders are here to throw down they're not playing it safe and sometimes it is quite a fine line between crashing and winning you know next rider on course Tim durtschi another big name in the film industry I feel like tim duchy is the man who bought the doubles in the back country to the world the first guy that could just double off anything made him famous in his parts with tgr film productions and now he's turned his eyes to competition scheme dropping in a hot to this venue lorraine charging down here ah yes super high-speed amazing 360 there and he's fighting to keep in control which he is another air into the Lucas left pilot face another 360 over that roof 360 as well the one on the right side 360 was spinning both ways all really showing off his freestyle background and his big mountain jockey skills she's so quick moving so fast he actually did have a bit of a backseat learning up higher but it didn't seem to faze him at all as he continues his line and that was a nice transfer really nice grab held on to it for a long time and he's already through the finish line I think that must be one of the fastest runs of today yeah absolutely that was lightning speed he obviously does well also in non powder yes--if interesting to see powder froze coming off film pan segments into the competition same scene different results coming from that so cool to see that some can charge in any conditions we have Tim Scott in with the first place 80 points straight he has got to be happy with that that's right sitting first for now after the first four riders Craig Murray Christopher Dale and Tanner Hall before him in the seventies and a no score for the other three writers so sitting pretty in the hot seat from now got a lot of heavy hitters to come there's only four riders out of 21 so far today but first ever free ride will to a comp I think that Tim dirty you must be stoked next Rider car renewal from Switzerland Kyle failed to requalified 2017 fought his way back through the qualifiers which I have high respectful and he is back on tour where he probably feels he belongs that's right car in Ville welcome back the sun-god rider out of Verbier Switzerland to Swedish parents but born in Switzerland speaks all the languages and skis with all of the style let's see what he's got for us here today after winning the qualifiers last year he is back on tour and he is here to show us what he's got ah 360 right off the bat popping so high yeah landing on the rich again cutting straight back into Craig Murray's yeah yes taking it straight where Craig did a three but super high-speed yep nice bottom turn if you can call it so with a surfing background to switch it up slash it up and come over into the a-frame ear find some nice no to it looks like in there putting sideways in the ridge I love that style yeah for sure he's got great style that's what he's known for his well another 360 that was a lift slide one was the one at the top of right side I you're asking me questions nearly I can't answer right yeah because I wasn't sure either but either way this guy can spin both ways very talented freestyle skier got a lot of style he's showing off right now coming and hot into this transfer at the bottom spinning a three off that gear that was definitely the right side three and no other skiers have spun off that although two snowboarders did so Carly in Vail showing way he's back on the world tour such a smooth flowing skier and he's through the judging and finish line now zooming out taken in the hole you and wondering on what score that is gonna get him what do you think in comparison to the other itis I mean his riding style is super playful that bottom air is so popular of course he did come up shorter than Craig did on a couple of the features which I think the judges will definitely be looking at I'm not a judge right now yeah we have car school coming with a second place seventy three point six seven points that's right Kyle sitting pretty ugly and not quite managing it's a not contender she had a hot seat but still a hit of big heavy hitters like Craig Tanner and Christopher so it'd be pretty happy with that for your first competition back on the freeride world - Ashley is break next rider up Neil actually fellow countryman of yours that's right Blake Marshall to an extent I fell he almost kind of came out of nowhere he was just really talented freestyle instructor out of remarkables in Queenstown and suddenly he was winning big deal freeride comps and qualifying for the world tour in such a humble way that it almost seemed by he did it on accident it's obviously not an accident is very talented ski let's put a lot of work effort and focus into being here today but somehow slipped under the radar and onto the big stage and really excited to see what he's got in his first freeride world to a competition ever seemed pretty relaxed this morning when I was chatting to him about his line he said yeah I'm gonna keep it playful and fun there you go starting off with the right side through 60 Wow what control after the landing there that was just perfectly done coming into a feature that other 36 row Wow so crazy from Blake such confidence tail grabbing off that to just putting all the style and speed to this run god damn he's coming hot through here nice to find some good snow to shut it down and another 360 tail grabbing off the wind look cutting across that feature haven't seen any other rider do ski or snowboard and shifting it out on the bottom section as well already through the finish line Wow what style what playfulness that is a pleasure to watch gosh and just linking one feature to the next in such a fluid way it was really well connected I heard he was gonna do a lot of spinning and he sure did all right side three's from the Blake Marshall score in first place with eighty four point six seven for Blake Marshall yeah Blake what a way to start off your free ride will to a career and they call it a career because with runs like that you're gonna be sticking around here for a while just so smooth so relaxed as well as fast just such a great style to show off on this venue you know it's playful and making the most of it but still showing is a super strong skier absolutely and just that fluidity and is building in as many features as he did showing a whole variety of styles amazing already on to the next rider and it is Raina Barkley ed out of Sweden the 2012 world to a champion and probably along with drew tab key and Jacky peso the most experienced hit on the world tour right now yeah Dana just loves competing he loves it he loves a challenge he loves being with the freeride family he's an absolute strategist and master of finding awesome lines that's right rain is taking a little bit of a tumble and a knock the other day and coming out with a ankle injury I believe a really minor one because the way he's King right now you would bet he has any kind of injury with a backflip like that holy crap I mean it he's been really working on that he knows that he needs to up his game with tricks if you want to stay on the tour and he wants a stay on the tour the great air that we saw from David bird early on the first year to backflip in the first skier to hit the horseshoe cliff we calling it sending the transferor as well reaching for the grab well as really hope if someone would ski that line for me it was the most a aesthetic one on the face going look his right to look his lifts flipping a side hit cliff and then stomping the biggest ear so pleasing to watch rainy bucket he had loved his style I don't believe in that his engine maybe who's just psyching us all out it does I just love how he's evolved as well that is impressive tricks you know later on he could be happy with that run they Nabokov it first plays eighty eight point three three Wow rain there he is gonna be stoked with that yet but I you'll train there I'm an avowal next rider up from Spain I might is not only known for his contest runs but really throws good fill parts and fur balls to the walls massive lines that's right his own project and South America South Lyons is definitely one to watch if you'd like to see hard-charging free right he is typically a high charging free rider but I'd usually say the same for anybody it's been a lot of chat about this being a freestyle friendly venue and rayna is currently winning sitting in first place in the hot seat after his run that we just watched so I'm a Navarro also a high charge in free rider we'll see what he can make of this venue dropping in first year superstar little muscle nugget videos coming towards the same as Christopher to adult I believe yes and taking it further though by quite a bit really good with checking his speed moving over to the lookers left there also towards a horseshoe cliff soared and fast coming at it from a slightly different angle I believe oh come on buddy I'm pretty excited to see you seeing this get some I'm out of RO coming back across it skiing through his own Slough that is gonna make a bang and photo as well as video footage and coming out of it so hot into the transfer air yeah shutting me down a little bit just for the takeoff keeping it smooth maybe there's something else planned for us here before the judging line just enjoying those last turns back down that was a very imma like middle section for sure he loves getting into the nine Lee terrain dodging absolutely charging school coming in for a mile with a fourth-place seventy six point three three points he'll be heading at the top the I would say the difference between Omar's run and the others was the lack of a trek although homers run was hard charging and control and fluid the lack of a trick looked like it's not gonna be possible for him to podium even with quite a lot of riders yet to come he's sitting in fourth place right now Yael sees dropping back into the freeride world tour after having to bail early with the knee injury last season blowing his ACL just after the competition and Canada I believe had a heater of a couple of runs and was sitting pretty near the top of the rankings I'm not sure if his knee is a hundred percent back to strength but started off with a nice grab to show that he's got the flexibility super-psyched 400 Beckham to her no one's actually been feeling quite strong which is impressive because coming back from ACL does take a year around about and he is well on his way playing through that top section you're putting a couple of stylee freestyle moves before this lifts three goes tail grab definitely finding some good snow over there approaching that horseshoe area but further to the look is left of it taking a smaller into this steep section where the ridges yarn on down through the air and making his way to the same cliff that Sammy look he hit put in a nice safe to grab off that one really tweaking it out yeah that was super controlled probably heading towards the transfer the rest of the riders he's got something else lined up for us always been so creative as yarn that's right backflip maybe or at least a backseat landing backseat I would say getting creative probably not wanting to yeah exactly he's definitely one that that is good for finding lines and is that other people don't necessarily see ya would say that was a bit of a safety run from him I know he's came along yeah we have yarn score coming in with an eighth-place sixty five point six seven points yeah I do you think that what I mean to people in ASCII so far did seem to be playing it safe he might have been expecting the snow to be worse and then it actually is or maybe he is still wanting to just ease into the season after coming off such a big injury Neil yeah that's right I think he's still recovering that ACL and if you are that's a smart way to ski absolutely we have Constantin opener now coming and dropping him from Germany it's such a pleasure to see riders from Germany because is not a whole big amount of them so I'm sure he has a huge fan base back home and he was meant to be on tour wow that was cool already lost you but he was forced to do a year's break because of a shoulder injury and then a knee injury yeah constantly maybe not a hundred percent recovered from their injury he was saying to me earlier similar yarn but the way he's skiing right now like he's doing pretty good can't see the master of the backflip throwing one as bling on start punching through on the land oh that hurts me to see that oh what a bummer yeah he basically just pitched forward maybe landed in a bomb hole there I think consti such a good kid with the best attitude and the biggest smile out there yeah he also spent a lot of time skiing in New Zealand in his summers which I'm sure has been hugely beneficial free skiing he's hitting that transfer air with a 360 nicely done grazed on to the landing good on him for continuing as well that is not easy to do after a crash that is impressive good on you Constantine you've got a long a long career ahead of you I'm sure consti skiing hard big shout out to him and his parents always to traveling with them and support that's right still recovering but he'll be back in 100% he scores it now with a ninth place 50 points straight out that's right constantly not know the peeps right out of Germany peeps of course a safety sponsor for the freeride world tour and constantly rockin the Avalanche airbag backpack from them 50 points today even though he crashed tough if he had have landed that backflip he might have been up in the 70s first sure judges will typically award 20 points for such a feature especially with the trick next time consti we have even dropping in now from Russian in Eva Malikov who also is coming off an ACL injury Niall that's right I think we have in fact four riders in a row today who are returning from injury these at first three yarn Konstantin and Yvonne coming back from balloon needs great Heaven back on the tour not sure if any of them are back to 100% I know that all capable of super sending but even the super sender wrist nor the hitting the biggest blindest cliffs as fast as he possibly can I'm super stoked to see what he's gonna do today because there are options to that yeah I wonder how he feels about the face cuz he typically loves to go big also sharks don't seem to faze him much let's see what he has in store for us here the shockproof Russian charging towards this top feature just cleared those rocks I that I'm glad worked out well yep approaching the horseshoe cliff which doesn't surprise me that's his kind of terrain not one bit a little bit there scoping his takeoff thinking about heading from a different angle all the other riders have dropped into the look as lifts go away from that point he's going a little bit further right given that Slough going in the Sun again like I see it gonna be a bang a photo and just so strong charging through that snow on the outrun shutting down speed and the potentially variable snow like it's nothing back on the world tour even Malikov out of Russia and now chimera oh and any now with the last feature night sorry that is as far as we can seize already beyond the judging line there Neal believe that as the judging line year's event coming to a stop so hopefully there's Buster judging line because if he has accidentally stopped in a place that is still in the judging area it's not gonna be good for a score we're pretty sure though that he has finished his line for today welcome back to the world tour Kevon malikov score coming in now for even Malikov his first run back on the freeride world tour after blowing his knee last year yes before actually mister hold our season 67 0.33 today so coming in mid pack I would say yeah putting him in 8th place actually Neal thinking that that whole shoe feature might have hurt him a little bit cuz he was he slowed down maybe although the judges felt he should have at the take-off yeah David beard setting the bar high with how much speed he took into the region first one to go there - yeah and the judges see that - and have that of course also in the back of their mind we are starting now with drew tap key what a legend as well gosh Tabitha's we like to call him one of the most playful creative writers that I just love to watch on tour the original trayful creative rider starting off awesome playful creativity like you're saying one of the most experienced hits on the tour the American counterpart to rein Ibaka did I love his style yeah yeah as soon as he gets in he just seems more comfortable he holds his hands in a relaxed way and does what a perfect and beautiful backflip so confident in the air coming into the horseshoe feature again let's see how he deals with this clearly convex terrain where you just not sure have I got the angle right you want to get it right that's for sure yes taking the same line is Yvan Malik of the rider just before huh men skiing the look is right shoot rather than look his last one which the earlier he's like the eagle yeah that's why I was trying to say what this OMSI looks like an eagle he flies he takes off any float nice true yeah he loves these kind of playful venues he doesn't necessarily want to shred super-technical consequential train because he can clearly see how much he loves getting in the air and just playing with features like that that's right he can't read the technical ganar but playful look look is right to lift and linking of the features with eighty nine point six seven points just edging out Edina the 2013 free ad world to a champion drew tab keep just itching out the 2012 for Edward to a champion or a number career for the hot seat right now cool to see that the experience hits have still got the strength and the legs to show the young guys how it is done they have done such a master class here today Wow impressive you Sasaki the next rider dropping in straight out of Japan but based in Revelstoke and if you do not follow her on Instagram you should because holy damn the heart she has been sending early season realest dog have been GI enormous not afraid to see the tricks as well also a good freestyler you is dropping an on course right now at the peak performance rider and the local hero getting a lot of chairs what a great way to be able to prepare for the competition seasons well because often we started competing and throwing our first big cliffs at the comp because of low tide seasons where is it going to come out in store for us something new something fresh no rider skier or snow what have been here so far so what's you planning a big bag flips of stockings on with a perfect landing oof bit of local knowledge maybe knowing that hit was there suited him super well ah he's flying oh yeah finding the fresh snow to you Sasaki creative line I haven't seen a single person go this far out but coming back into the main part of the venue now surfing the Ridge down to that same head we saw a semi lucky pioneer putting in a nice grab stomping I think it's getting a bit bomb tall bomb holes bombed out and there now yeah he but he deal he dealt with that really well no problem there at all nice grab there interesting line choice and little grab as well before the judging line there yeah I wonder how the judges are going to award that it's not as much of a full line line that's right on the other hand judges likes incredibly they like seeing new aspects of this face being used yeah the old subjective treated scores coming in for your Sasaki 11th place with 63 points I believe that's maybe also a reflection of some of the control issues we had in the in the landings nothing major Neil nothing major but I think this kind of line like that you need to be skiing it perfectly he's not going quite as big as the other riders and although he was skiing fast it was in this technical terrain so you coming 63 sitting bottom the pack right now good to have him back though yeah next rider coming up Andrew Pollard from the USA Rookie of the Year with his sister last year dropping in now Andrew pilot also a very creative skill of watching this guy fine transitions anywhere on the mountain and just coming off it's all holy Dan no one else has even looked at that cliff brand-new air and beautiful landing coming into that chute transitioning over to where we've seen a couple of the other riders already hitting that's right skiing another new chute opening it up ah yeah and that's who I think usually went for the mute not so often seen on skis these days without a spin but just linking all these features that was super technical did you see how he had to straight away to return to his skis left after that huge air hard Nick's hurt and coming at heart into this guy loves the transfer is the stylee skier out of Ulta holding onto the grabs basically and still his skis touch the ground I love that I love seeing right his linking turns well and also controlling speed so well that was cool because also he had the landing straight away to to this skis left then that Ridge if you're not on top of your skis perfectly there's no way you're gonna be able to do that such good flow techniques school coming in now for Andrew pilot sitting and third what a way to start the season we only two-thirds the way through the ski guys category but a third at this point looking at a top five top ten absolute worst Andrew Pollard linking everything together so smoothly to put them in the top three for now 86 points for Andrew Hank bilis straight out of one a keynesian I am so excited to see him ski qualified for the will to a two season to go another guy that missed out due to health issues last year and now he's here he's here in the world to a family and we're stoked to have him join us he is just the most stoked little bunch of nuggety muscle that you're gonna meet good surfer as well as a good skier and their just general nice guy stoked for everything all the time and just loves the sin oh yeah me grabbing that looking so stylish really confident thanks by the fin also competing on the world stage and slopestyle halfpipe front flip off the ridge hank bill is loving it sitting this one as well hank knowing to front throat through the finish gate and this chance what the hell was that 360 this is bananas this is absolute madness from the young kiwi this guy storming back onto the will tour after taking a year off showing wise here to stay on your feet buddy this is a party and run I'm calling it right now that was unbelievable that takes so much confidence and also creativity to see that that's even possible right and then you gotta just go to see that it's possible take enough speed land on the and make that compulsory turn you're just talking about technique that you have to have landed straight into a turn to it boys exposure and see the Nixon that he came out of yeah his skis were juddering the snow wasn't even that good Oh welcome to the - Hank amazing school coming in now for Hank Billis second place with eighty eight point six seven points just between the 2012 and 2013 freeride world tour champions drew tab key and Rayna Barker it right up there with the young Kiwi Hank Willis shout out to his mom and dad following him traveling with him on this to it he and Emma Billis must be proud of this son right now Calvin yeah riding for peak performance from Sweden is in the stockade Neil Kyle Erikson the Swedish skier out of order as you were saying skiing for peak performance having a really impressive rookie season last year coming into a different line straight under the stockade interesting to see he's opting for a complete full line section others to haka with the transfer is just starting to go off hang and now Kyle showing things that are possible I didn't even see his features the amount of speed that he just doing it and putting a trick in coming out hot down the bottom here too now and again like to control the speed after coming out so fast there it's impressive really impressive and backflipping the transfer transfer Wow such a hard trick to do because you're landing cross hill looked like he landed a little bit backseat maybe a little bit nothing too dramatic hopefully yeah we'll see how the judges school that but Wow full of confidence full of confidence alright especially after he's huge crash that he had at the extreme Riviere he's contest his last comp tomahawking all the way down this this week flying all the way down to big tricks so carving your Erickson school coming in with eighty five point zero zero for the Swede mixed rate of dropping in out of the start gate following the P performance radical at evening Erickson it is a new rookie Jack Nichols he is the older brother of the younger Kevin and Nichols have also qualified for the Fed were to it this year last year with Isaac Freeland taking out the Americas oh nice big spread eagle to get things started off showing he's here at have a good time that's definitely a very proper way to start the runs for today another nice grab there over the ridge approaching he's next feature probably gonna see a trick gosh he just learning it looks like he's skis just opened I think you might find in the bumhole certainly exploded for it anyway for a bit of a ride now unfortunately hopefully that stops let's go to ski above him and a ski below and really hope I think it looks like he's okay must be gutted obviously so looking at a no score for the first run for Jack Nicklaus today next rider up Kevin Nichols Jack's brother also rookie on the competition today they traveled in a van together and he might have seen his younger brother crashing so that can't be easy as you about to drop into a competition face but hopefully he won't lose focus here he goes that's right Kevin Nichols qualifying with his brother I believe Jackson's older brother in fact so younger brother following older brother and younger brother being the one winning the American qualifying series actually that's right qualifying first for the free oil to starting off with a really nice grab entering the face now finding another nice and that he's muting grabbing on coming in over this feature that we've seen before and for Christopher total Cliff making its way over to his brother I don't think he's gonna stop and have a chat maybe give him a high-five on the way past sending it in his first ride absolutely sending it he did come back sit in the line he was able to hold it together keeping his skis straight down the full line three off a new feature we haven't seen yet nice one well spotted and found that such creative feature to hit coming back across the hill and slightly intentionally under rotating a3 land straight in the full line putting this one to his feet as well with a nice high safety off the transfer here at the bottom charging that feature I believe is the one we also saw brainy Barker to do that perfect backflip on no I don't think it was I think the rain about food backflip was on the cliff that Jack just crashed and this was the one that my mind of our own score coming in now for Kevin Nichols the rookie sixty four point three three sitting in 14th at the moment which I'd say is probably mainly due to the control issue on the landing of that backflip when he landed that backflip I think he backed Beck's left or at least was quite far in the back seat yeah he's coming out kind of hot looking a little bit out of control super sick run though really impressive from the rookie multiple tricks and big cliffs but a little bit of control issue costing him a few points today Isaac Freeland not only did the three young Americans all qualify for the Fed world tour through the qualifying series last year they're all friends and they Isaac Freeland on course now yeah Isaac and Kevin I believe qualify Oh tied for fourth and didn't qualify not last year the year before so getting me a chance now on Isaac on course making silky work of that top section yeah isaac is known as a back country freestyle specialist so we are very excited to see him on tour this year and he guys huge on it and no one has sent yet sitting like a bigmouth in charge if instead of a baby so far named as new school was favorite when the news came out that he had qualified 60 linking up the features so nicely such a pleasure to watch yeah you're saying you like watching for line skiing and this has been it from Isaac Freeland so far nice another good transfer with a grab there and already down past the judging line yeah that was almost over too quickly to appreciate Isaac Freeland starting straight from right no no this traversing on the rigid there's nothing to YouTube a really like that quick Isaac Freeland school coming in now with eighty five point six seven points which places him in fifth at the moment super impressive stuff from the American rookie another rookie Intuit archived it from 4i back Austria super stoked on skiing super motivated based in Innsbruck where there's a great freeride scene and he placed third last year on the farewell qualifier overall ranking and qualified for the tour and here comes his first fear I will tour around which he must be very excited about that's right tower so focused on qualifying for the tour and squeaking through and last competition so stoked to be here smiles all the time riding four peaks ah well stomping that stomping that no issues there at all from tower and the running there's also quite bumpy but he just went over it without any issues at all coming into this really nice zone with good snow crushing it here banging the Atlantic's he stomps it hurts so hard riding for peak performance and peeps two of the sponsor of the freeride world tour this guy has got a future ahead of him with 360 like no yelling it until that three sexy landed a little bit to cross hill and ended up side hilling into a rock I'm not sure if you actually had that rocket looked pretty close ladies okay but he is gonna be gutted that was oh yeah for that to happen at the end of such a good run is obviously disappointing worse is if you crash at the very top look hopefully Tom you realize how good it was up until then you'll get your next chance coming up really soon here in kicking halls but yeah absolutely understandable that he'll be disappointed with that ah too bad tile but you know cheer not don't don't worry too much about it you'll get your next chance soon he is in with fifty seven point three three points in 17th place at the moment Tom Piper coming out of Whistler Canada former student of Derek Foose with the freeride club bowls man Tom coming third here last year sharing a podium with Tanner Hall and Marcus eater so hungry for more of the same with a big year off the top that you can see went bigger than that last track so fast and controlled slashing that variable snow making it look like it's proud of what the spray but I can tell you that it's not it's pretty firm underneath but and that learning is not particularly steep it is just quite flat actually he made it look easy strong legs and a strong core this guy must be working out during summer to land big years that easily that's interesting he's linking up he's lying out to the horseshoe which is a creative approach not losing any time in that section it's getting a little bit wild through that here yeah he just kind of spread his legs a little bit but all good controlled landing on top of his skis on that transfer it was great he talking hi everyone else nice he really went quiet he sailed over that that was really interesting yeah look who's right too far look his left at the venue you really like those features together well in a way that it didn't really you can do you know he's run in Hakuba last year when he placed third was also really creative I know that he surprised a lot of people most coming out from nowhere and you can see it's creativity in this line to score coming in now for Tom Piper 10th place with the seventy five point three three the last rider of the ski guys today the top 13 overall up to the first four competitions will go through to Verbier so not a bad start at all for Tom we have drew tap he he held on to his first place Hank Bill is in second place a tainted bakudan in third place there's our podium Wow there you go I called it the Kiwis and the Swedes would do good on this none just one the advantage of Penn it's been since 2016 since I won an event and that was in Andorra 35 years old and honestly didn't know if I could beat these young kids so feels pretty amazing what a show from the ski guys amazing holy well the rain holy Wow holy damn Wow I don't even have words to describe what I just saw you must be proud actually Pratt countryman hank bill is coming in second place but not before drew taki who won today from the states and third place elena bucketed who would have thought for me been surprising given the venue so playful yeah he just yeah through a girlfriend leave in you in Japan well he's slightly injured 2012 world champion rounds out the podium yeah 2013 will to a champion and first and a fresh rookie with his first ever run on the world tour throwing the crazy transfer to take second yeah but let's also not forget fourth place Andrew Pollard fifth place Isaac Freeland also complete rookie on tour yeah well done boys big show from the guys today [Music] and the snowboard woman category I thought we saw a real increase in the level last year mono Ella Mandal the wheel champion from here before throwing down some big runs taking a couple of heavy crashes but really pushing the limits of yourself and the women's category third spot overall last year unfortunately injured and not competing this year and the same with Ana all over both of these injuries had put them out at the first stop and maybe more hopefully we'll see them back soon because in business runs like this one from Ana last year in October really sit in standard forced economy Marion at E was the overall one last year so convincingly for first places out of five give her a perfect score of 2,000 points and the overall tile as well as an amazing one on Victor rocks the free ride will to a recently announced equal prize money across all categories really awesome news for Arsenal yes progressive I like that it's a showing that no matter if you're a guy or a girl a skier snowboarder you can perform achieve and be rewarded at the same level that's right and we're hoping that there'll be more female competitors coming into the spot that's right mainly because it's a good thing it's hard to see [Music] it's really good news for all the girls it's just not about money it's about the message behind that and the respect about what we do we could have done it years ago so I'm glad we finally took the decision to do it this year better late than never Stax field here today and the woman's snowboarding for the first stop of the Fred will to it 2020 defending will to a champion Marion Artie is here but unfortunately second and third man well Amanda land and all over and not present today due to injuries so big love girls and hope to see you back soon yeah to see you back soon and the other interesting thing about the field is that we have a lot of different nationalities and a lot of new faces now so we're really looking forward to seeing what the girls are going to show us today yeah show coming up next up Sayaka cattle and awesome local rowdy here based in Hakuba depend she won the three star farewell qualifier earning herself a wild-card meal that's right no originally from here I don't believe but moved here to just the south of Hakuba Valley and now riding at couple ponies resort and the first three yards were competition ever after winning that three star Brad will qualify here event last week she's dropping in working her way down the ridge getting some cheers from the crowd we can hear it from here good local support around here for the Japanese riders yeah the drone following her down the ridge it's a huge deal for them to be able to represent their local community or their country and beautiful weather as well not sure how often it's this sunny for this long in Japan so making the most of it dropping into the venue now look his lift right his right or the venue and getting into some of the bitter snows yeah nice turns they're airing off that rock stomping away down through that looking really solid absolutely the way she's surfing out those turns as well strong on the back foot gets cute a strong back leg as being snow water in Japan especially when it snows this much you know it's being a lot of time giving that thigh muscle punt yeah she's opted to move over there to get some better snow conditions likely coming into this open area another nice turn no leaving a lot of tracks there though I think that's part of the video some a little bit more affected by the Sun and the wind so as we're saying you know you got to be careful the snow conditions are a bit variable and syak you're dealing with it so far so well we might see another feature from her here in the bottom section yeah absolute control fluidity getting started for the female that's know what category Sayaka cattle with 50 points we are just about ready to see Erica vikander from the USA she's actually next to my home the most experienced writer in the field now with two years under her belt on the Pharaoh world tour and also placing second here in Hakuba in eighteenth that's right rookie of the year 2018 is back on the world to a fourth last year but second and third modern Mundell and and all over both out enjoy the moment so the second most experienced here on the tour right now taking that top here that we've seen so many of the skier men doing which is great to start off your line with a bang like that moving into a much steeper section of the face yes you put a and you grab in there as well a lot of the guys skis were grabbing that so cool to see but a freestyle creativity from here yeah decent in there now she's definitely animal wind affected area but she has no problems at all lining up and air control from Erica slashing that soft snow I think I might even start to be be starting to get bit springy softer from the Sun affect so smart riding from the American I'm glad to see that the weather is holding up to provide all the riders with good visibility that's excellent coming into the bottom section milking those turns coming towards the transfer Eric you looking to get back up on to the ridge putting another we grab in and back into the main feature main face come down towards the judge finish line now remember last year Derrick Foose was saying one of her ambitions was to wear cat just told us peel is pg when I come to school coming in for Erica vikander 65 points from the American so far mechana Davis me and next rider up from Australia Aussie Aussie Aussie nice one Mikayla want someone from your yeah she's not our first Ozzy on tour actually she's our second behind and vishakha who we also had in the snowboard women's field and how awesome that someone coming from a country like Australia qualifies for the freeride world tour yes super impressive they only take one female snowboarder from Eurasia and this year it is Mikaela super friendly Aussie pleasure to have around traveling with her parents as well yeah she has a brother here her mum and dad amazing to have that support especially at your first very water event it's a big deal coming into a nice feature there total control approaching the next feature yes at the top they're taking a little bit on the side linking up to another air three is already from the cattle at Davis man while heating up another one no one had this one yet and she's gonna put a fresh track in it another spray churn at the bottom there I think that snows a little bit better when she was writing down there not leaving so much of a track but it's a little bit more sheltered from the wind and the Sun sort of not predictable I think it's a bit softer but I think it might have changed since therefore and a few days ago I like a line choice in that section there was always something going on linking features gether well yeah that's key our new fuss at the bottom - yeah [Music] what I really liked about her run is that she linked the features up super nicely I would say to a competition she is sitting seven points Australian on top right now that's right one of my home countries hot fuzzy I am as you can hear as well these madyun our team the defending at will to a champion double defending champion that's right double world champ third in Hakuba here last year she is the most experienced rider on the field coming from a freestyle background but having transferred into free riding now a number of years ago former World Cup slopestyle rider Maddie on winning last year with a bang perfect ten thousand points for wins out of the four competitions that count out of the five that performed if the athlete qualifies for Verbier winning and VI was a really recent one even though she'd already my just focuses on improving her own level on learning and growing it's not like she doesn't know what else - aim for after becoming double world champion it's it's not even actually that important she just wants to improve as a writer and have fun nice nd grab this it was that a switch one off the top as well yeah I believe it was actually Neal and that was super nice and now she's found some really good snow on that flat Ridge coming into an air we've seen a lot of the the men enter yeah I think the only one that's nobody to go left side of the horseshoe yeah sofa playing along that Ridge really using the terrain which is nice to see is going for the gravel that here as well yeah that snow looks super good but now they grab their two going in the suitcase method I believe mixing up the grabs something to keep in mind when you're riding it's difficult when you're focusing on so many things during a free ride run to make sure we're doing different grabs she's done an amazing job of really picking out the best snow in the face and she's clearly enjoying it Marian the only one and the top three from the last year competing today with injuries to Anna all over [Music] to a place [Music] first place at the moment 74 points our second rider on the free wall to an audio cast and button from Spain here as a wildcard stepping in for our unfortunately injured riders meal that's right winning the if W I believe at the moment she's been competing on that for a few years even coming close to qualify injuries to minor Mundell and although they have opened up the door for her to get her first wild-card onto the fretboard to her was about to qualify anyway - oh please you the heifer here in Japan humble - ski resort well deserved well deserved we're excited to see some action from the Spanish snowboarder that's right and about on representing for Spain they are so amazing terrain there as well she took that really nicely that toss cliff coming into her next feature now really solid in that first landing getting into the steeper terrain - not afraid to get into the ganar and cutting across into the full line through that one really solid from near yet rookie showing why she's been wildcard on and why she was winning the if dub cue super impressive stuff from the young Spaniard really interesting feature she chose it ah that's unfortunate that's real shame yeah that's a shame it's the landing there is a cool water landing it's a little bit of a short transition there and it unfortunately caused her to to crash there really short transition she just shot it yeah tumble a couple of times there's gonna be pretty bad for a score which is super unfortunate could before that I think she was looking at who pretty up there run yeah I really like that line that she chose through the through the rocks and actually we saw one of the scheming also having issues there that's right I think that rollovers non-consistent ankles so if you take it here in that direction you really need to suck up their takeoff and absorb the pop enos of the fact that if you land in the same direction you're going across to bad daughter yeah well done thanks anyway for putting on a good show and you go coming in now with 30 points for the Spanish so water putting her in fifth place Michelle up from Canada back in the free will to stock 8 meal we actually competed together in 2016 and shiri qualified now burning her spot back in the big leagues yeah Michelle I believe tying with Katie yeah both with a lot of points doing really well the standout performance but going to the fourth result instead of the usual three to decide who qualifies will tour this yeah it is Michelle Locke Katy ensign probably also give her chance such a super solid rider but Michelle Locke the veteran first time back on the world tour since 2016 and going all the way look is right far further than I've seen anyone else go yeah pretty much direct full line under the start gate getting into some of that ripoli or textured snow which is actually quite soft yeah I think it looks pretty good yeah so well done there for finding some good snow Michelle now she's moving over above those rocks into some exposure coming into the main cooler they're ducking under one of the hosts cables John following it down looks like she's found some good snow so if I just enjoying slashing it you can see it's bit more shaded but more ripoli that's winds deposit we're the wind is blowing snow over the ridge and they had this little the air instead of scouring it from the other side Michelle basically skiing the very ah no we just got the information that she actually passed through a forbidden zone out of bounds so I think that was actually out of the venue and probably yes why none of the other computers have gone the cable was deemed to be a pretty dangerous place to be that's right Michelle taking that crash on that yeah unfortunately probably what a food is court anyway but a DNA so that is the woman today and Marian auntie storming back to top spot again after winning Viktor rosta overall title multiple wins Russia no changes this year she is right back on top sitting pretty in the hot seat [Music] I got so much fun on this face that it was super surprised about the quality of the snow and finally it was so good and yeah it was perfect snowboard women's field wrapping it up Neil of course Molly ofd was a big favorite coming into it and she proved why taking the win today yeah that's right coming off a crushing season last year she has not lit up at all taking home first spot second though Mikayla Davis me and the rookie the rookie from Australia absolute surprise for us today we didn't know what to expect stoked to see her here doing really well in not so easy conditions even and performing super good for her first farewell to competition that's right Congrats in third place we had Erica vikander out of the USA the Rookie of the Year from 2018 riding for peeps one of the safety sponsors of the freeride world tour showing why she's sticking around on the world tour the ski woman category is one I'm so excited about right now Elizabeth garrison out of Switzerland taking the one on victor ross in a home resort of Verbier last year to really push the limits of what we're gonna see from the Czechs in the big mountain arena Jaclyn Pollard second overall and her first year on tour as a rookie getting Rookie of the Year along with her brother Andrew Paula with runs like this in Canada last year really impressive stuff from the youngster Ariana's raqami such a convincing winner though in the last four years that she's been on tour she's been in the top three every single time last year and the year before overall winner doesn't look like she's about to let up anytime soon a final category of the day ski woman and one that I'm looking forward to level has just been raising and raising we saw multiple tracks last year especially in this first stop multiple backflips from someone I think you know quite well for example hey hey that's right I'm gonna be coaching how big this year but moving on straightaway I want to first give a shout out to the girls who aren't able to be here Rachel Crawford best because they're still out for injury we have a lot of new faces in the ski women's field actually that's right got some rookie who's got some hard charges qualify through from the USA qualifying tour as well as Jaclyn Pollard Lyceus Rookie of the Year that's right avianna they call me obviously is gonna want to be holding on to her amazing last two years of victory so it's gonna be a good battle I think with the ski women this year that's right got on azúcar coming off a freestyle win and wildcard back onto the stop 2 here in Japan so looking forward to it in the Patterson out of the USA if she has qualified through the qualifying circuit there's a pretty brutal qualifying stick over the other competing in bounds quite often and it can usually be pretty tough conditions even icy moguls so blasting away through that qualifying circuit she must be a pretty strong ski I think she has great technique I think it'll suit her well on the venue here today in Japan line absolutely something that will be new for her is the fact that she has no on slow inspection so it will be really interesting to see how she deals with that personally for me it was one of the most difficult things to learn in competition coming in quick to the stop here no hesitation and skiing down the ridge and the firmest Nome coming towards a slightly bit of snow but still a little bit variable now with a lot of pace approaching her first feature no one's heard this yet either so emma opening up a new line as the last category of the day stomping yet really nice little landing in there finding the right transition coming out fast good control good fluidity linking it up with that hit their little cross hill center moving her way now to actually the horseshoe feature Neal yeah it's gonna be the first girl that we see going towards the horseshoe feature were so got the rest of the woman's ski field to come might not be the last but still impressive to see yeah only a few guys going through they're not absolutely lining it up and stomping it ah that's a big tumble she had that and then no I really hope the humor is okay going for a bit of a slide now coming out of that really hot and probably hitting some variable snow seems to be okay she's waving her arms ah she actually I feel like she punched through with one ski and then it just high-sided her and she just ended up pulling down that face which really gives you an appreciation of how fast you get every tomahawk heavy Toma looks like it's time to come out but she's in a pedestal right probably been shaking off after a big crash like that able to make your way off the course now our next rider up Jaclyn pilot from the USA she was second overall in 2019 Rookie of the Year last year as well and just bursting on the scene really in such a carefree way and having just the most fun and just doing really well in school must be pretty cool experience to be Rookie of the Year with your brother both skiing out of Utah I believe everything in line with that Ridge air that's been so popular with a lot of our riders today coming into a next feature that's right looking solid know what super happy with the line last year I think she had an unimpressive start and Huckabee but the impacted up with an amazing run and kicking horse and just been going strength to strength since then like super good that was really controlled skiing with no hesitation solid an ear stomping the landing coming into the lookers left of the horseshoe feature airing into that steepest section of the face yeah not sure exactly how the snow isn't there couple of people have come unstuck but Jacqueline riding through with no problem she saw that I know Jacqueline that wrong exactly but it ended up ended up causing her problems and crushing and footing the landing there nothing major in terms of the crash but it's definitely gonna hurt her school yeah it's really unfortunate super solid run to that point not seeing that rock until she was in the ears pretty eagle avoid it and then having to make a turn to the right not sure that's exactly what she planned but didn't work out for unfortunately so she be starting Huckabee food this year for jacqueline either noise she probably knowing that she's the fourth category today she probably wanted to take it a little bit differently to all parties in front of her to avoid the bomb holes but unfortunately that rock just ended up being right in her landing nevertheless she is in the finish line with 50 points [Music] next rider in Hedwig VESA from Norway she was on the World Cup in ski moguls for seven years and has transition lightning-fast into free-writing bursting on the scene last year with a massive backflip in Hakuba the first that was seen actually in the women's ski field and we are very excited to see what had because in store for us today that's right the peak performance rider out of Norway in fact a mental strength coaching student of yours if I'm not mistaken yeah actually free right coaching Neil her mental strength is she's such an elite athlete after having spent so many years on a professional level sport Wow that was super nice adding that air in today after her first section big vessel huge Becky often featured no one else's head after two cold cross hillside transfer years above that thought she was gonna over rotate but managed to put it back to her feet a little bit of a backslash maybe yeah she she was a little bit backseat for sure now she's coming into the last bottom section just like last year get the ski Gil's firing yes and she has passed the judging line Wow Wow we hit big no one else had that it's such a Bubba I'm looking back up at it right now with my own eyes and the landing tracks are so below the takeoff absolutely and the snow there is also quite firm she just nailed that backflip coming a little bit backseat but I think the judges will definitely reward that especially in this category a big vessel sitting first in the hot seat 80 points hated watch her head fake amazing the peak performance right out of Norway former world cup mogul skier showing what she's got in the freeride circuit jessica Hutta our next rider from new zealand neil first in the farah world qualify region won last year that's right wearing three four stars which is a perfect score in a world qualifier I only take your first three results just the same as in the world tour so just hold a super solid skier used to skiing this kind of snow from the North Island of New Zealand so I think she's gonna have a good chance today already taking her first year cross hill below the gate and under the cable yeah making her way down now to a new part of the failing new part of the face as well you can see the snow is somewhat tricky there yeah maybe a little bit Sun affected potentially even in a good way by this time of the day but taking a nice ear out of there finding the training on a spot that's hard to do that yeah and she's probably very cognizant of the fact that she wants to find new fresh snow to be able to land in that was a nice grab that she showed us say over the snow Ridge that's right and charging down this open bottom section now pretty quick maybe the fastest lady was seen in that yeah showing us some nice racer turns in probably like any any high-performing Kiwi skiers she had it has a racing background maybe even the freestyle background also a ski patrol background nice another nice grab off the transferor at the bottom of it absolutely a Japan grab maybe in honor of the venue in Rockaway Japan here because in Japan a pony huh Cooper Valley Japan grab is the full name school coming in after just hotter 61 points is sitting them secret place the tapes out of showing what she's got here and talk of a value Japan upon his British all the way to start your time next rider dropping in Elizabeth Garretson from Switzerland she was 13 her Cooper here last year she's also one of our more experienced riders in the field now Neal because we have so many new faces and such an interesting mix of of new riders in the ski women's field that's right she really stepped it up in Verbier last year the peak performance rider out of Oba taking out the won and the finals on her home turf really fulfilled potentially I felt actually kind of stepped it up to a new level of things that I thought she was possible of a heaven scene and now it's showing it again today just charging down the top section of this video yeah that was super nicely done airing in yes making short work of that feature they're really short were coming out quick is she going into the horseshoe cliff the same as in Patterson did she look as left of the whole shoe feature airing into that steeper face that we've seen a lot of other riders do moving her way towards the ridge where the good snow is same as Jackie Pollard and all yeah yeah towards those rocks but over them and a little bit skiers right of them so well done on the line choice and the angle of takeoff yeah sending it much deeper there than then Jacqueline polar did and there for finding a good landing a good transition moving super fast the fluidity is impressive really cool stuff from here little Swiss skier sending it varying the other girls and already through the finish line very confident run good scheme no issues at all with today's pack a pleasure to watch me baby interesting see what that were the judges school Elizabeth Garrett said today big Bob's school coming in with a second place of the moat with 72 points well done Elizabeth Ayana Onizuka outta Japan winning the three star and getting a wild card on to the world to a last year unfortunately not reek Walla fine but winning the local three star here again this year showing that she has potential after moving on from a half pipe career she has won herself a place as a wild-card and the stop and if she performs well here today who knows what the future could bring honor on azúcar on course right now japanese writer as a saying a former World Cup and Olympic halfpipe skier changing a focus free right now lining up atop cliff yeah showing a really nice mute grab on that first feature super stylish coming into this second featured area no hesitation nicely scoped using taking the option of hitting that feature a little bit lower than we've seen but very smart shutting the speed down before that one as well and speeding it on that one really good use of the terrain we saw in earlier cast on but won't come unstuck on that by not shutting down moving fast she did actually a nice shifting in the air she's just out of sight for me right now Neil I hope she's been able to continue through that section ion Onizuka having a heater of a run really stoked to see that unfortunately she sent an ear out of the start gate on Twitch reverse track last year 2019 Huckabee if Doug tee lost her ski and runs over straightaway so this time showing the potential that we knew that she had an absolutely crushing as me score coming in for a Jana Osaka right now sixty six point six seven points putting her in the third place at the moment that's just behind here big end and Elizabeth garrison okay just in front of Jaclyn Pollard and Jessica that's right good for writers live yeah I really liked her style it's so nice to to see that playfulness sprinkled in there I'm looking forward to seeing more of iron in future absolutely we have ever Lena Nilsson dropping in now from Sweden Evelina back as a wild card she's been on tour a number of years she was first in 2000 and sorry I yep forget that she has won the Swedish or Scandinavian big mouth and Championships and Sweden on multiple occasions though she is super ripping GTI night freeride freestyle skier she just bit off a really nice feature in the top there with it finding a good landing moving towards her second feature aiming for the same feature that had weeks worth the food bag flip toe and incredibly poppy seed you there yeah very poppy she actually landed exactly where Hedwig landed but over rotated a little bit just not quite being able to pull it together but wow what yeah what an impressive move Evelina just committing fully to that yeah pretty sick really sick multiple backflips from the Czech skiing today it's really amazing to see that the level is just going through the roof he's last couple years Scott our ski dude ninja as we call them has returned the ski to Evelyn an hour and she's making a way off the course having lost a ski she will receive no score unfortunately today that should we bury Colleen next rider to drop in from Italy well known of course double world champion first in 2019 here in Hakuba she loves playful venues she's been spinning all over the place here pre-competition really enjoying actually the fact that there's good visibility and we are excited to see that style that she's showing right there a nice grab off the top that's right re qualifying in 2015 and then in the top three every single year since then two-time will champion in the last two years and like you say with style like that high safety grab and now another grab off the middle feature cross hill is in to be her favorite playful fun making way over to the look his lifts out of the venue with a three 6s 360 and actually just putting her bottom down a little bit in the landing but not really much of an issue there continuing on with her fluidity without any problem crossing over now towards that spine that we've seen so many riders opting for yeah multiple checks hitting this one and re stomping it like no other so playful and fluid style I also hey how do you think there's enough snow that I should use my babies she's not done yet and she said use big skis every day man you asking the wrong person yeah nice hurt on the the transfer air putting a unique style into it surfing out down the bottom we can hear her yelling from here yeah yeah house dog she is from hundreds of is way audience becoming putting down a beautiful run for the first diseases absolutely something that either does so well is linking features with fluidity and really milking a venue a big score coming in now for Ariana's raqami second place seventy five point three three points sitting just behind hitting fissile good way to start the season off absolutely I'm sure she'll be happy with that and so she should be because she showed us an amazing line good scheme Jackie Paso our next rider from the USA and a most experienced rider Jackie's known for her huge airs for her full commitment she's a ride who's also evolving her skiing she's been working on a back flips Neil also aware that to be continuing on tour adding tricks into the game is just really important yeah that's right sending a big backflip at the first stop here in Aqaba 2019 freeride world tour deciding she was gonna retire actually last year calling it but then uncoiling it an unretired to return to the world tour this year was stoked to have you back Jackie that was so well done no hesitation at all in the takeoff which is obviously something that judges want to see skiing into it so smoothly yeah no hesitation and landing it so well attempting a three there off that that rich the snow ridge but I believe she got hooked up with her skis and wasn't able to put down the landing yeah I should close beyond take off the unfortunately as you were saying still progressing a skiing one of the veterans of the freeride world tour but going for the back field last year going for 360 this year big respect Jackie cool to see you doing that so absolutely I mean you know be easy for her to say no that's not my thing it's not my style I'll stick with my strength but no she's continuing to push herself which I really have high respect for it's cool to see Jackie but up you know it's so awesome to have you on tour and we're looking forward to what you have in store first next that's right the first place run that she got in at Dora last year was an absolute pleasure to see surgeon Jackie style scoring from Jackie pay so 46 points putting her in seventh place at the moment so head back vessel is still in first place followed by a Dianna they call me the reigning world champion last year Debbie a big turtle this is the last rider of the day Juliet woman out of France didn't quite recall a fight last year but was wild card back onto the tour after the retirement in Paisley Birnbaum I know she's super hungry for it she's been working on her backflips early season as well really strong skier good racing background charging her the start gate down the ridge towards her first cliff yeah no hesitation there straight away into a first cliff landing super clean linking turns right after the landing which is awesome to see approaching her second feature here Wow what is she gonna do lighting up a nasty one oh yeah dolphin in full control steep variable snow just making it look like it ain't no thing cutting back across the ridge as well yeah which wasn't easy to do actually finding another small air there to take and just continue to build her lion school this is a great run from Juliet what a way to still back onto the world tour yeah she's found some good snow there as well her the bottom section of her run will be really important to be able to beat hedwig vessel at the moment who is in first place let's see what she has in store for us she can't see us transfer here it could be the difference opting not to staying on her feet yeah something else maybe not making turns into the finish I think she's just happy with the top section yeah and why wouldn't you be that was a heater absolutely and creative - nope biting off a lot with going into that kind of scary-looking section of her second feature which also doesn't have the most steepest ledge so loved the fact that the last rider of the day can go coming in now for Julie at Willman 69 points and a place for the French rider and her first competition I feel like if Juliet have added another feature at the bottom it would have definitely helped her score out judges are looking for something going on in your line at all times from top to bottom so we have the final standings here head back vessel in first place second place is Arianna they call me from Italy and third place Elisabeth garrison that's right girls I'm sure you're pretty stoked about that first place that their friend and a student of yours someone that you're coaching for that's a good way to start the season yeah yeah big backflips threes from the girls Ariana trachoma taking a second place defending her will to a title and Elizabeth Garretson showing you more of a potential after one in the last company Verbier taking another podium here and we have four girls throwing tricks down from ten actually in the ski women's field that shows how the field is progressing and the direction we're moving in in future as well Neil Dam ladies [Music] [Applause] I was super nervous honestly but I I took 3 4 small hits and then as it's a pretty big basket in the middle of your face and yeah it was it was good [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] wow what a comp to get the season started Hakuba Japan has served it up beautiful with it no it was a little bit variable and the visibility is coming in at at times for the riders absolutely crushed it multiple chicks doing tricks yeah thanks for the awesome show is so amazing to see we will see you in kicking horse Golden BC for the next stop from the 6th to the 12th of February we're looking forward to it [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] you

Channel: Freeride World Tour

Views: 127,671

Rating: 4.7747035 out of 5

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Id: R4i7bjnmZDQ

Length: 124min 14sec (7454 seconds)

Published: Mon Jan 20 2020