ContestHappening 3 2023/24 | FWT Kicking Horse

Women's snowboard

In the breathtaking women's snowboard competition, the talented Frenchwoman Anna Martinez came out on top, impressing the jury with a lightning-fast run, peppered with two impressive airs and numerous other jumps. Having previously taken second place in her home town of Verbier, she now climbed to the top of the podium for the first time. Second place went to Estelle Rizzolio, also from France, with several spectacular airs and a very fluid riding style. Third place went to local favourite Erin Sauve from Canada, who combined a powerful air with an elegant descent and smooth turns.

Martinez now leads the overall rankings ahead of Estelle Rizzolio and Núria Castán Barón from Spain, the winner of the season opener in Verbier, who crashed in Canada, had to settle for seventh place.

Dominique Daher

Kicking Horse

Timm Schröder

Snowboard men

Victor de le Rue, an experienced snowboarder, continued his winning streak and dominated the second tour stop in Canada. His impressive run earned him first place by a clear margin, meaning that he now sits at the top of the rankings with maximum points after two events. His run was characterised by a bold line and technically demanding tricks, which he mastered effortlessly, leaving the competition behind him.

Timm Schröder, the only German representative in the field, also caused a stir once again. He finished his second World Tour event with another strong performance and once again secured bronze. In his run, he performed a huge 360 off a high cliff drop. Despite his impressive performance, Schröder was narrowly beaten by Michael Mawn, who prevailed in a thrilling duel. In general, the field behind de le Rue is very balanced and strong. Places two to nine all achieved a high 70 or a low 80 score.

In the overall standings, this now means that the order of points has changed, with Schröder currently in second place and Mawn in third.

Women's skis

The ladies on the Freeride World Tour have once again proven that they are performing at an incredible level. Year after year, their technique, control and use of freestyle elements is getting stronger and stronger, a development that is simply breathtaking.

The show began with Hedvig Wessel, who marked the starting point for the top riders and put in a technically impressive run. Her daring drop at the start was accompanied by a fast-paced run to the finish.

However, the young generation from France showed how seamlessly freeriding and freestyle can be combined into freeskiing and trumped Hedvig's run with their freestyle elements. Manon Loschi was the first woman to show two spins around a body axis in one run. First a 360 with good airtime, followed by a beautiful layout backflip over a wind lip, which she mastered effortlessly. Nevertheless, she had to admit defeat to her compatriot, who is one year younger than her, who was particularly brilliant with two strong cliff drops at the beginning.

Manon Loschi now leads the overall rankings ahead of Astrid Cheylus and Verbier winner Zuzanna Witych (POL), who finished sixth in Canada.

Dominique Daher

Kicking Horse

Max Hitzig

Ski men

Max Hitzig (GER), who already won the season opener in Verbier as well as the events in Kicking Horse last year and in Fieberbrunn in 2022, impressed with an impressive run. His run was characterised by a technically demanding double cliff drop on the upper rock band, a massive right-hand 360 off a high rock and a fast, direct line in the lower part of the slope. The 21-year-old athlete from St. Gallenkirch in Vorarlberg, who grew up with his German mother and therefore competes for Germany, was unbeatable with this outstanding run. However, I have to say that he tried to ski a challenging but very safe line. It was a top performance, but the score was surprisingly high compared to other athletes who, in my opinion, had a more courageous track choice.

Second place went to Oscar Mandin from France, who showed a technically demanding and creative line with two daring cliffdrops and an impressive backflip.

In third place was local hero Marcus Goguen, who showed an exciting idea with three consecutive 360s. For the reigning FWT title defender Valentin Rainer, a good result after his fourteenth place at the season opener in Verbier was crucial - and the Tyrolean delivered. With two high airs, a leftside 360 and a lightning-fast straight line, the 25-year-old from Mils secured fourth place.

Max Hitzig leads the overall ranking ahead of Kristofer Turdell and Ben Richards. Rainer is now in ninth place and therefore above the "cut" that entitles him to take part in the FWT Finals in Fieberbrunn and Verbier as well as the FWT 2025. However, after the upcoming tour stop in Georgia from 1 March, only the best two results from the first three events will be included in the rankings, which means that there could still be some shifts in the ranking.