FWT2012 – Verbier (SUI) 23, November, 2011 – Supported by long-time partner Swatch, the Freeride World Tour enters its fifth season solidifying its position at the very top of competitive Freeriding. Alongside Chamonix Mont-Blanc will be Austria's best kept big mountain secret, Fieberbrunn and a new Scandinavian stop - the tour will descend upon Røldal in Norway for the first time. The world's best Freeskiers and Snowboarders will then meet for the season finale on the legendary Bec des Rosses in Verbier which continues to stand alone as the world's biggest and most prestigious Freeride competition.

RIDER: ADRIEN COIRIER - FRA, EVENT: NISSAN FREERIDE ENGADIN ST. MORITZ 2011 BY SWATCH, PHOTO © M.WEILER / FREERIDE WORLD TOUR

Competitive Freeriding has evolved rapidly over the last four seasons with the pros spinning, cliff-jumping and stomping with an ever increasing intensity.  We're expecting to see further progression in 2012 as the experienced big mountain riders compete against a new wave of young talent.

The men's skiing line-up will feature big mountain specialist and two-time World Champion Aurelien Ducroz, the furiously fast and fluid Reine Barkered, Zermatt's favourite son Samuel Anthamatten and the ebullient Henrik Windtsedt.  The rapidly advancing female skiers will again be pushing the limits with reigning World Champion Janette Hargin battling it out with USA's Angel Collinson and kiwi Janina Kuzma.

Xavier de le Rue, widely recognised as the world's best all-round snowboarder, will no doubt be "charging down the Alps" to win back his title, although Austrian stalwarts Mitch Toelderer and Flo Orley as well as exciting newcomer Christian Schnabel might have a few things to say about that.  Swiss rider Anne-Flore Marxer impressed everyone in her rookie season taking the World title at the first attempt but will face stiff competition from Germany's Aline Bock and a field of contenders from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Freeride World Tour welcomes Swatch as its main sponsor partner alongside a growing array of ski industry partners - Scott, Dakine, Marker, Powderhorn, Kask, Snowpulse and Teko.

"This fifth season promises many things. The riders' performance improves every year and we'll undoubtedly see the bar raised even further in 2012.  We have a first-ever Norwegian tour-stop, where we'll be working closely with a very experienced group of local organisers and we will be launching an Expo and Test at three tour stops - Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Fieberbrunn and Verbier. We will continue to actively support the 30+ qualifier events around the world and encourage the next generation of riders with three Juniors stops.  I'm also absolutely delighted to see Swatch alongside us as well as so many ski industry partners."  Freeride World Tour founder and organiser, Nicolas Hale-Woods.

Freeride World Tour
23, November, 2011

The 2012 Freeride World Tour (FWT)

1. Freeride World Tour, Chamonix Mont-Blanc 2012 by Swatch
Dates: 21- 27 January; Location: Chamonix (FRA)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

2. Freeride World Tour, Røldal 2012 by Swatch
Dates: 25 February - 01 March; Location: Røldal (NOR)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

3. Freeride World Tour, Fieberbrunn 2012 by Swatch
Dates: 09 -15 March; Location: Fieberbrunn (AUT)
Disciplines: Men's Ski and Snowboard

4. Freeride World Tour, Verbier 2012 by Swatch
Dates: 24 March - 01 April; Location: Verbier (SUI)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

Freeride World Tour stops in Rosa Khutor-Sochi (Rus) and North America are to be confirmed.