Verbier, Switzerland - January 12, 2010 - The pressure is on for the first stage of the Freeride World Tour 2010. Krasnaya Polyana, the alpine and nordic ski area for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014, has become a legendary spot for the planet’s best freeride skiers and snowboarders. The athletes have challenged the Caucasian mountains since the creation of the Freeride World Tour in 2008. The Nissan Russian Adventure by Swatch will take off for its third edition 21-22 January at the Russian ski resort, which is working on the continued development of the resort ahead of the Olympics in 2014.

Although one of Vladimir Putin's favourite holiday destinations, Krasnaya Polyana is a rather unknown resort outside Russia. The world elite of freeride skiers and snowboarders are among the few athletes to experience the next coming Winter Olympic resort.

Riders' Quotes on Krasnaya Polyana

Nissan athlete and snowboarder Xavier de Le Rue (FRA), Freeride World Champion 2009 and gold medal favourite in Boarder Cross for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February:
"Krasnaya Polyana has the best snow in Europe! With its maritime weather conditions it snows a lot and as in Alaska it sticks very well to the steeps. With the 55 lifts and all the facilities that are planned for 2014, Krasnaya Polyana will be a major resort, which will compete with other big resorts in the Alps."

Skier Sverre Lilliequist (SWE), winner of the Nissan Russian Adventure 2009, and former alpine racer:
"It is just fantastic skiing in Krasnaya Polyana, which is still an exotic destination. For freeriding the resort can get a lot of snow in a short period of time - nice dry snow in large quantities! The tree skiing is amazing with perfect spacing between the silver birches and with lift access you can find some really good faces. A perfect venue for a freeride contest. Regarding the Olympics, there is a great potential for the alpine disciplines in this terrain."

The Freeride World Tour at ISPO 7-10 February

The Freeride World Tour has started a partnership with ISPO in Munich, the biggest outdoor sports trade show in Europe. With the constant growth of the sport of freeriding, ISPO will feature a Freeride Zone in Hall A3 and invited the Freeride World Tour to be part of it. The Freeride World Tour will be located at A3.318. The partnership aims to show key industry players a best-practice example on how a series of events like the Freeride World Tour can unite winter sports players to develop a clear freeride message. Video premieres, drinks, autograph sessions and the opportunity to mingle with FWT athletes will take place at the FWT booth.

The 2010 Freeride World Tour's four stages:

1. NISSAN RUSSIAN ADVENTURE BY SWATCH - SOCHI, RUSSIA
Date: 21-22 January 2010

2. NISSAN FREERIDE OF CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC - FRANCE
Date: 30 January 2010

3. NISSAN TRAM FACE - SQUAW VALLEY USA - UNITED STATES
Date: 27 February 2010

4. NISSAN XTREME BY SWATCH - VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
Date: 20 March 2010