Two Freeride World Tour Athletes Withdraw Ahead of FWT 2025 Season Due to Injury

14 January 2025

Katie Anderson and Max Hitzig Step Back from 2025 Season

Verbier, Switzerland – January 9, 2025: The FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance announces updates to its 2025 athlete roster as two standout riders, Katie Anderson (CAN) and reigning Ski Men’s Champion Max Hitzig (GER), have withdrawn from the season due to injury.

Katie Anderson, the FWT 2023 Snowboard Women Champion, who was set to return to the Tour after being awarded an injury wildcard, has made the difficult decision to step back from competition. Recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery, Katie shared her decision and reflections on this new phase:

“I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from competing on the FWT this season. Being 9.5 months out of ACL reconstruction, my knee isn’t healed enough to return to competition safely. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow as a snowboarder and a human through the FWT. I am lucky to have met some incredible people while competing on the tour. Good luck to everyone competing this season!I plan to use this season as an opportunity to continue training in the gym, level up my avalanche safety skills, and spend time in the mountains with friends.If you’re recovering from an injury, big or small, I feel you. Be patient and try to celebrate the little wins, they are worth it!”

Katie Anderson

Max Hitzig, the FWT 2024 Ski Men Champion, has also been forced to withdraw following an injury sustained in December. His remarkable performances last year secured him a prominent place in freeride history, and the FWT community supports him fully as he focuses on recovery.

Max expressed his disappointment:

"Due to another injury I sustained in December, I’m not mentally or physically prepared to compete on the FWT. It’s a difficult decision, but my focus remains on recovery. Thank you for your understanding and support!”

Max Hitzig

The FWT Team wishes Katie and Max the best on their recovery journeys and looks forward to their future returns to the Tour.

Stay tuned for further updates on the FWT 2025 season, and follow all the action at www.freerideworldtour.com and on social media channels.

About the FWT

FWT Management SA is based in Verbier, Switzerland, and has been organizing premier sports events globally in mountain resorts since 1996. The company founded the Xtreme Verbier, an iconic event in freeride skiing and snowboarding and, in 2008, it turned this single competition into a prestigious series of worldwide events, called the Freeride World Tour (FWT). The company has since grown to include multiple competition series that fall under the FWT brand – including FWT Challenger, FWT Qualifier and FWT Junior – with events across all formats taking place in Europe, North America, South America and Oceania. Since December 2022, FWT is part of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Discover more at www.freerideworldtour.com

About Peak Performance

Born in the Scandinavian mountains out of a love for skiing in remote, untouched terrain, our passion for adventure and nature runs deep. Our purpose is simple: we bring the freeride spirit to the world. As for our products, they all have the same purpose – empower the freedom to be adventurous and follow your own line. Whether it be horizontally or vertically, on skis, by bike, or on foot, they offer a balance of style and performance. Our Scandinavian heritage is ever present and our commitment to doing better things in a better way is our never-ending responsibility. For more information, please visit www.peakperformance.com.

Contact Information

Marianna Dallabetta Armani

Communication Manager

marianna@freerideworldtour.com

+39 392 3254391