North Americans Dominate at FWT Revelstoke 2012
One of the strongest rider fields ever assembled saw North Americans dominate in the snowboard competitions.
With its vast snowboarding options, warm hospitality and consistent annual snowfall, few destinations in North America can rival Revelstoke - all the signs point to Revelstoke becoming a mainstay on the Freeride World Tour.
The "Mackenzie Face” played host to the world’s best big mountain snowboarders in a one-run winner takes all contest.
American Ralph Backstrom earned the highest score of the day, with a 92.67 out of a possible 100 points. On the notoriously challenging “Mac Face," Backstrom was aggressive from the outset, starting with a very technical entrance and finishing with a solid double cliff drop. Backstrom said: I stayed on my feet, I went really fast, pretty fluid, I kind of white-roomed myself once or twice. My line had some nice features. I am really stoked – we had really good snow.”
In second place was Jonathan "Douds" Charlet from Chamonix. The French snowboarder stomped three cliffs with his fast and fluid style, earning a score of 91.67. After his run Douds said: “I am very happy. I changed my line at the last moment, popped a big cliff on the right, it was much bigger than I thought, nice landing – really good powder.” Rounding out the Men’s podium was US rider Blair Habenicht with a score of 90.00.
Of the six women invited to compete, Maria DeBari topped the talented field with a score of 80.67; twenty-five points ahead of the next competitor. Honing her skills on Mt. Baker’s big mountain lines, DeBari chose a smart line, allowing her to ride fast and flawlessly down the steep face. Maria explained: “I rode that skier’s right panel up against the cliff because it looked like the coolest thing when I was looking at it.”
Finishing second was France's Margot Rozies “I was really nervous up there, because I was the first to drop in and it is my first Freeride World Tour Competition. The snow was really fluffy and I had to wait a bit before I could jump, but it was really exciting and I had a great run.” In third place was American Shannan Yates, with a score of 43.33.
The Swatch Freeride World Tour now moves on to the Freeride Mecca of Chamonix Mont-Blanc for the weekend of 21-22 January. With heavy early season snowfalls in Europe and the Mont Blanc as a back-drop the scene is well and truly set for another great competition