ContestHappening 9 2019 | Verbier Xtreme

At the Xtreme Verbier on the notorious Bec des Rosses contest face, which is not popular with all participants, Arianna Tricomi (ITA) became the overall Tour winner among the female skiers, just like last year. Victory in Verbier went to Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI). Markus Eder (ITA) secured the skiers' title, while Wadeck Gorak (FRA) took the day's victory. Marion Haerty (FRA), who was already the overall winner before the event, clearly dominated the women's snowboarding field in Verbier. Victor De Le Rue (FRA) was the overall winner of the snowboarders, while Jonathan Penfield (USA) won the Xtreme.

The Bec des Rosses (3223 m) welcomed the athletes with a bright blue sky, but also with challenging snow conditions with a light crust over deep powder snow. In these conditions, the athletes showed impressive descents and an extremely high standard. There were various starting points to choose from, one directly above the Hollywood Cliff, one from the very top with the option of the Dogleg Couloir (used solely by Steve Klassen) and one on the right shoulder. As always, the ladies had two start options at the so-called "Baby Bec".

Snowboard men

Among the snowboarders, the day's victory went to Jonathan Penfield (USA), who opened the contest with two high transfers in the upper steep slope. This was followed by a backside 360, a double cliff drop and a final air. With this outstanding run, he won ahead of Sammy Luebke (USA), recently three times overall winner and Xtreme winner in a row. The defending champion shone with a massive air in the upper steep section, a backside 360 and a very fluid run overall. Third place went to Victor De Le Rue (FRA): The younger brother of three-time FWT champion Xavier De Le Rue opened his run with a transfer air and followed it up with a frontside 360 and two more high cliff drops. The five-time Xtreme winner Klassen (USA) also put in an impressive performance: the 54-year-old jumped off a high rock and two 360s right at the start, but was unable to land two more jumps cleanly and finished fifth. "I've wanted to jump off this rock for 25 years, once I couldn't land the jump, but today I did it!" said the legend jubilantly at the finish.

In the overall standings, Victor De Le Rue (FRA) won ahead of Davey Baird (USA), fourth today, and Blake Hamm (USA). Gigi Rüf (AUT), finished the season in sixth place after missing the last two stops, Thomas Feurstein (AUT) in eighth place.

Men's skiing

There was a real surprise winner among the skiers: FWT rookie Wadeck Gorak (FRA), whose best result of the season so far was a fifth place, was the first skier at the start and showed a run that none of his competitors could beat. In his first appearance on the Bec, he managed an extremely smooth and fast run with a long jump over the legendary Hollywood Cliff and an impressive backflip. Second place went to Léo Slemett (FRA), who chose an original line and impressed with a high cliff drop, a 360 and a backflip as well as other jumps. Defending champion Kristofer Turdell (SWE) came third, completing the entire slope in an almost direct line at high speed, jumping confidently over the Hollywood Cliff and standing two technically difficult high cliffdrops.

The overall leader Markus Eder came sixth with an aggressive run including a 360 and backflip, which was enough to win his first overall title. Kristofer Turdell follows in second place in the overall standings ahead of Léo Slemett. "I originally wanted to ride a different line, but changed my mind at the top. I'm happy about the title!" said Markus Eder.

Here is the replay of the spectacular contest and the overall rankings can be found here.