Words & photos courtesy of Freeride World Tour

Video by Nadia Samer

With snow falling and a fully loaded rider field, the scene was set for a highly competitive first day of the 2012 Swatch Freeride World Tour and Freeskiing World Tour. The North Bowl in Revelstoke Mountain Resort in Revelstoke, BC, Canada provided the world's best riders with their first major challenge of the season.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

 

Much was expected from the North Americans and they didn't disappoint. On the men's side of things Canadian Kye Petersen leads going into Sunday's Final with Americans Drew Tabke and Oakley-White-Allen just in behind. Petersen at just 21 years old is already a freeride icon. He started with a double cliff drop, skied fast and aggressively through the open bowl area and landed two huge 360's towards the end of his run. “I had a solid run, I landed everything and I hit the line I wanted to hit, I added a few little things at the bottom and pulled it off. I felt good about it.” said Kye.

 

European riders struggled to shine with only Germany's Sebastian Hannemann in the top ten: “I jumped a big double, probably the biggest double I have ever jumped. The landing was not totally clean but I didn’t crash and I am happy with my run.” explained Basti.

 

Reigning Freeride World Champion Aurelien Ducroz sits back in 20th place. The top 25 men quality for Sunday's Final.

 

The story was similar for the women, with North Americans taking the first, second and third place spots. Going into Sunday's final on top will be American Ashley Maxfield with Canadian Nicole Derksen in 2nd place and Angel Collinson third. An elated Ashley said: “On my run I chose a line I have been eyeing the last few days. When I sent it off the first drop I went bigger than I thought but as soon as I landed on the second pillow I knew it was easy from there on out. I had so much fun skiing the fresh snow and when I went off my last air I just thought have fun. It was one of my favourite competition runs I have ever had.”

 

Leading European riders Eva Walkner and Lorraine Huber both fell effectively taking them of contention.

 

The 2012 Swatch Freeride and Freeskiing World Tour at Revelstoke Mountain Resort is scheduled to continue today with the final day of competition. Stay tuned for more updates.

Results

Men

1) Kye Petersen - 41.93

2) Drew Tabke - 39.17

3) Oakley White Allen - 37.50

4) Benjamin Ogilvie - 37.10

5) Cliff Bennett - 36.90

6) Richard Small - 36.83

7) Carter McMillan - 36.70

8) Sebastian Hannemann - 36.60

9) Rylan Kappler - 35.67

10) Sean Cochrane - 35.17

11) Mat Jackson - 35.10

12) Josh Daiek - 34.97

12) Jake Sakson - 34.97

14) Sean Collin - 34.57

15) Samuel Anlhamatten - 34.33

15) Jeremy Prevost - 34.33

17) Nicolas Salencon - 34.30

18) Kevin Guri - 34.07

18) Bjorn Heregger - 34.07

20) Aurelien Ducroz - 33.67

21) Adrien Coirier - 33.63

22) Christian Boucher - 33.20

23) CJ Wright - 33.10

24) Dylan Crossman - 33.00

25) Julien Lopez - 32.87

cut-off

26) Guerlain Chicherit - 32.67

27) Blake Clarkson - 32.50

28) Ben Paciotti - 32.07

29) Tom Leitner - 31.50

29) Patrick Westfeldt - 31.50

31) Mathieu Mati Imbert - 29.67

32) Erik Sunnerheim - 27.97

33) Tom Runcie - 27.80

34) Christian Reichenberger - 26.33

35) Connery Lundin - 25.67

36) Jason Jones - 20.67

37) Willie Rocket - 17.33

38) Matty Richard - 16.67

39) Stefan Hausl - 16.33

40) Caleb Mullen - 15.70

41) Richard Amacker - 15.40

42) Luke Nelson - 14.97

43) Reine Barkered - 14.67

44) Henrik Windstedt - 14.17

Women

1) Ashley Maxfield - 33.50

2) Nicole Derksen - 33.30

3) Angel Collinson - 32.90

4) Jess McMillan - 32.87

5) Crystal Wright - 32.73

5) Tatum Monod - 32.73

7) Louise Lintilhac - 32.30

8) Sarah Martinais - 31.77

9) Pia Widmesser - 31.70

10) Alexis Dupont - 31.67

cut-off

11) Jacqui Edgerly - 30.40

12) Janina Kuzma - 30.27

13) Sonja Lercher - 29.27

14) Jaclyn Paaso - 27.40

15) Lorraine Huber - 19.00

16) Leah Evans - 17.63

16) Lauren Goss - 17.63

18) Eva Walkner - 17.07

19) Crystal-Rose Lee - 15.00

20) Gillian McKercher - 12.00