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Freeride World Tour 2018 riders announced

International multi-stage ski & snowboard competition

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated

The full list of riders for the 2018 Freeride World Tour have just been announced and of the 42 competitors, 12 of them are rookies joining the ranks of the Elite for the first time.

It's a shorter list of competitors compared to 2017, as some of you who follow the event may have noticed. In total there will be 6 snowboard women competing, 8 snowboard men, 8 ski women and 20 ski men.

Here are who the FWT say we should be watching in the 2018 event:

a female skier

Who to watch: Ski Women

Tour rookie Rachel Croft (USA) from Region 2 and Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI), who is returning for her second season on the FWT, will provide a formidable challenge for the ski women category. Lorraine Huber (AUT) will not cede her world champion title easily and riders like Arianna Tricomi (ITA) are still hungry for a top place finish on the podium.

a female snowboarder

Who to watch: Snowboard Women

After a debut season last year, Manuela Mandl (AUT) will be back on the tour and joined by top qualifier Erika Vikander (USA) from Region 2. However, riders like Marion Haerty (FRA) and Anne-Flore Marxer (FRA/SUI) are riding stronger every year.

a competition snowboarder

Who to watch: Snowboard Men

Chamonix shredder Clement Bochatay (FRA) and Blake Hamm (USA) will make new additions to tour this year. Whether they will be able to unseat repeat world champions Sammy Luebke (USA) and Ralph Backstrom (USA) remains to be seen.

image of freerider Leo Slemett in powder

Who to watch: Ski Men

The up-and-coming talent to watch in this category includes hard charger Trace Cooke (CAN), Kiwi crusher Craig Murray (NZL), and Mickael Bimboes (FRA). These emerging riders will face off against defending champion Léo Slemett (FRA) and a highly experienced field of veteran skiers.

See the full breakdown of riders, including the 2017 winners, new riders on the 2018 circuit and wild card riders.

a ski jumping a steep cliff in a competition

Why fewer riders this year?

Organisers at the FWT have told us that cutting down the number of riders in the 2018 event will not only make the event safer for competitors, it will also give them potentially better snow conditions as there won't be so many people tracking out the mountain.

It also makes the competition shorter, so it's more likely to take place given a smaller weather window will be needed, which also makes the live webcast shorter and more exciting for viewers.

A person is skiing down a snow covered mountain

More inspiration...

The event typically takes place in Chamonix in late January. Dates for next year's event will be released some time in September, so keep an eye on the Freeride World Tour facebook page for updates.

In the meantime it's never too early to start thinking about booking your accommodation and browsing the great choice that Chamonix has to offer.