Nissan O'Neill Xtreme Verbier 08

14-23 March 08

Since its start in 1996 the “Xtreme” has been considered the most prestigious event in the freeride world. For the “grande finale” of the Freeride World Tour the elite of freeride will tackle the mythical North Face of the Bec des Rosses, a dauntingly steep and frighteningly jagged 500
m rock-face.

The Bec des Rosses presents in places some 55 degrees sheer slopes. In an upright position
one could nearly lean on the face with one's elbow. With steep and narrow couloirs, high rock
cliffs, changing snow and terrain, it asks the riders to be particularly skilled with top physical
condition, thorough mountain experience, and top placements in the previous contests.
Around 5000 spectators join the riders at one of the most beautiful natural arenas of the Alps,
the Col des Gentianes in Verbier.

The winner of each discipline will receive the Gilles Voirol Trophy, named after a young swiss
snowboarder who was killed in an avalanche in Bella Coola in 2003. Gilles Voirol was the rookie
of the Verbier Xtreme’s first edition in 1996 and placed second. He had one of the best styles
and the greatest personality.

The Xtreme will reward a winner of each discipline of this final contest of the Freeride World
Tour and in addition the four Freeride World Champions 2008 will be crowned.

The contest will be transmitted live on www.freerideworldtour.com, www.xtremeverbier.com
and www.freecaster.com as well as on TSR, the national Swiss TV station
Official event website: www.xtremeverbier.com

Programme:

• Friday 14 March: Mountain Recognition.
• Saturday 15 March: Contest. Prize giving ceremony. Prize giving FWT,
Kermesse – village events Friday – Sunday.
• Sunday 16 March-Sunday 23 March: Reserve days.

Format

Riders: 32 in total.
• 12 male skiers and snowboarders
- Eight of the best ranked riders from the four previous contests of the Freeride
World Tour
- Four wild cards
• Four female skiers and snowboarders
- Two of the best ranked riders from the previous contests of the Freeride World
Tour
- Two wild cards per discipline
Judged runs: 1 run, hike access to Bec des Rosses, 3222m:
• Vertical drop: 500 meters
• Average steepness: 45 degrees
• Features: numerous lips, gullys & jumps
• General: Freeride-Extreme / some Freestyle lines

Prize money: 100,000 USD

British Legend James Stentiford, takes on the FWT
Big mountain legend and Quiksilver snowboarder James Stentiford killed it on the Freeride World Tour last year. -17Jan12
North Americans Dominate at FWT Revelstoke 2012
One of the strongest rider fields ever assembled saw North Americans dominate in the snowboard competitions. -12Jan12
Day One Results for FWT Riders in Revelstoke
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. -8Jan12
New 6 Seater Chairlift For Verbier 2011-2012
Verbier is set to open a New 6 seater chair lift in Mayentset! To replace the two chair lifts at Mayentzet and La Combe. -9Nov11
Xavier de Le Rue wins the Xtreme Verbier 2011
The Nissan Xtreme Verbier was the last event in the 2011 Freeride World Tour for the year, and it was Frenchman Xavier De Le Rue who took the final honours, Britains James Stentiford was once again on the podium. In the womens event Anne-Flore Marxer took both the event and the tour title. -20Mar11

Related categories

:: Freeride World Tour stories
:: Verbier stories

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Verbier, Switzerland

Extremely good resort with some of the best extreme terrain in Switzerland And the world for that matter. Some great summer riding too.

Freeriding: 100% - Freeride paradise
Freestyle: 60% - A solid terrain park
Pistes: 90% - Pistes in all shapes and sizes

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