Following the release of this year’s tour schedule – which includes a new stop in Val Thorens, France – the Freeride World Tour has announced its roster for the 2024/25 season.
A blend of freeride’s most decorated athletes, newcomers with everything to prove and exciting wildcard selections makes this year’s tour one of the hardest to predict in recent years.
A slightly altered schedule also adds some intrigue. The unknown entity of the Cime Caron face, which rises to over 3000m above Val Thorens, provides exciting new terrain for the world’s best to explore. This year there will be only one FWT final stop after the Cut in Fieberbrunn – the ultimate showdown on the Bec Des Rosses at the YETI Xtreme Verbier.
After finally achieving long-awaited tour success in 2024, reigning champion Hedvig Wessel has bowed out, leaving the crown free for the taking. Young La Clusaz local and last year’s runner-up Astrid Cheylus will be hoping to go one better and snatch the title. However, with four FWT overall titles between them, veteran wildcard additions Justine Dufour-Lapointe and Arianna Tricomi will not be making her task easy.
Women’s Roster:
The battle of the new-school versus old-school continues to rage in the men’s field. The match-up between the purveyors of freestyle tricks like young Marcus Goguen, versus aggressive fall line senders like Kristofer Turdell will continue to cause headaches for the judges. Max Hitzig is back to defend his title but will undoubtedly face relentless competition from the rest of the stacked field, including good friend and previous tour winner Valentin Rainer. Wildcard, Ross Tester returns and will be a consistent podium threat making this season’s title anyones for the taking and will come down to sheer bravery, consistency and ability to conquer each of the tour’s iconic faces.
Men’s Roster:
