FWT final 2012 has its winners !
The last stop of Swatch Freeride World Tour 2012 in Verbier
Insert: 26.03.2012
In front of more than 8500 astounded and cheering spectators, and over 40 000 viewers on the live feed on internet, the top-level athletes put on their highest game today to tackle freeriding’s most illustrious competition, the 17th edition of the “Xtreme Verbier”. On the infamous north face of the Bec des Rosses, at 3222 metres, in Verbier, Switzerland, the skiers and snowboarders were challenged by a 500 metre steep, rocky, and technical face, testing even the very best. 
The athletes were pushing the envelope in a tight battle for the world title. In tricky snow conditions, the competitors performed creative and stunning line choices while finding their way through the labyrinth of rocks scattered on the face. Judged on an overall impression by four judges of each of the categories ski and snowboard, any type of style can win. Throughout the season a big variety of style was witnessed on the podiums: big mountain chargers and more freestyle oriented athletes have been pushing the sport forward.
Swede
Reine Barkered put on the most impressive run of the day, skiing faster and going bigger than his opponents who took similar lines. With zero hesitation, he charged down the now so-called “Barkered Line”, to stomp numerous big cliffs on his way down. With his top result in Verbier, Barkered scored enough points to be crowned World Champion just in front of American Drew Tabke and French Aurélien Ducroz, both executing outstanding runs today on the Bec des Rosses.
VIDEO - Reine Barkered - 1st Men Ski Swatch FWT Xtreme Verbier 2012
In the snowboard division French mountain guide
Jonathan Charlet once again showed us his consistent riding throughout the season with a sweet run, an original line choice and hitting more features than other riders. Veteran rider Flo Orley rode the Bec for his 12th time in competition and proved he is still in the game with a well earned second, placing him third on the overall ranking. American newcomer Ralph Backstrom has had a solid season. Despite not being on the podium today he still managed to be runner-up Champion.
Top ladies were charging hard with beautiful line choices. The top 3 female skiers
Christine Hargin (SWE),
Eva Walkner (AUT) and
Angel Collinson (USA), rode “men’s lines” as judge Martin Winkler put it. Swede Christine Hargin won with a spectacular line; fast, no hesitation and stomping several jumps, including a huge cliff at the bottom. Hargin was blown away to have won the World Champion title, taking over the title from her older sister Janette Hargin (World Champion 2011)!
Snowboarder
Maria Debari (USA) is new on the tour this year. She outplayed her opponents on the Bec des Rosses with a committed run, linking up great jumps including a variant of Christine Hargin’s big cliff, all while managing impressive sluff. With Debari’s win today she snagged the world title, in front of Margot Rozies (FRA) and Shannan Yates (USA).
Final results:
Freeride World Champions 2012
Ski Men: Reine Barkered, Sweden
Snowboard Men: Jonathan Charlet, France
Ski Women: Christine Hargin, Sweden
Snowboard Women: Maria Debari, USA
Winners Swatch Freeride World Tour Xtreme Verbier
Ski Men: Reine Barkered, Sweden
Snowboard Men: Jonathan Charlet, France
Ski Women: Christine Hargin, Sweden
Snowboard Women: Maria Debari, USA
Click here for final 2012 FWT overall rankings.
Click here for full results of Swatch Freeride World Tour Xtreme Verbier
VIDEO ..Best of Swatch FWT 2012 Xtreme Verbier
D.K.
VIDEO ..Best of Swatch FWT 2012 Xtreme Verbier
D.K.
