The unique one-day title event is to be held on February 7th 2015 and only the top junior riders of region 1 and 2 will be invited. The winners of each category will carry the prestigious title of Freeride Junior World Champion.

Riders

Invitations will be sent out to the top 60 riders of the 2014 season. Freeride World Tour will invite Region 1 riders (Europe, Asia, Oceania) directly, using 2014 results as reference for the invitation. International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) will do the same with Region 2 riders (USA, Canada, South America).

Thanks to the development of a real junior competition structure on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the season, the level of the freeride juniors has improved tremendously over the past couple of years. Due to the creation of clubs and increased attention from sponsors and media at this level, more juniors are able to get real freeride training.

Reigning Freeride Junior World Champion in the girls skiing category, Illona Carlod from France is following her dream to become a pro freerider. On her website she explains briefly how it all started: “I started skiing when I was one and a half years old in La Clusaz and at the age of 7 my dad took me freeriding for the first time. Since that day, freeride has been more than a passion to me.” She is now training on a team run by former FWT rider, Sebastien Michaud (FRA).

The Freeride Junior World Championships is a unique occasion to measure oneself with the best junior riders across the two regions.

The Andorran junior rider, Tommy Moreno, is excited to have these championships right in his own backyard: “For me, it’s a great opportunity to be able to participate in a Junior World Championship, and even more so to be able to do it at Grandvalira, a resort where I’ve spent many hours training and enjoying its freeride zones. I’m highly motivated and I’m excited to be competing against the best junior riders in the world.”

Selection of the host resort

The Pyrenees mountains in Southern Europe, more precisely the resort of Grandvalira, located in the small Principality of Andorra, has been chosen to provide the stage for these championships because of the great terrain it offers. The World's best junior riders will have a beautiful playground to express themselves on the snow on February 7th 2015.

Prior to making the selection, several onsite visits have been made to spot potential venues and approve the location choice. Cyril Neri (SUI), Contest Director of the Freeride Junior Tour by Dakine (FJT) for the last 4 years, and former Verbier Xtreme multi-times winner, has been in charge of this inspection. Cyril comments: “The Pic Alt Cubil is a marvelous mountain to ride on. There is a large variety of terrain. The upper section is made of 45 degrees couloirs and rock bands, while the lower section offers rollers with huge natural kickers. It is a long run where physic skiers will make the difference. But the freestyle friendly second part might give opportunities to freestyle orientated riders to express themselves and make the show! Pic Cubil is definitely a unique place to hold a freeride comp! ”

Berti Denervaud (SUI), Head of Sport and Resort Services at FWT confirms the choice: “The terrain in Grandvalira is perfect to host the Junior World Championships - and there is a great variety. We saw that Grandvalira has a lot to offer when they hosted a very successful 3* FWQ event in 2014.”

Grandvalira’s Director of Marketing, Alfonso Torreño (AND), is proud to be hosting the championships, especially because the resort is very dedicated to teaching all aspects of freeride from beginners level and up: “Bringing the Junior World Championship to Grandvalira is a major milestone in our continued commitment to supporting top-level sporting events.” The event is closely linked to our strategy for two reasons,” he explains. “Firstly, we highlight the fundamental values of teaching freeride from the start; and secondly, Grandvalira and Andorra will be a world center thanks to the FWT showcase. It represents a major opportunity to reinforce our brand across international markets.”

Stay tuned to freerideworldtour.com to stay up on the latest news, and follow along as the riders train for next winter’s historic campaign.