The Cut is Set: Who Made It to the FWT Finals?

FIEBERBRUNN, Austria – March 10, 2025: The Fieberbrunn Pro has wrapped, marking the final stop before the Cut and determining which riders will battle for the championship title at the FWT Finals. The pressure was high as athletes in Ski Women, Snowboard Women, and Snowboard Men gave it everything to stay above the Cut line. However, due to insufficient snow conditions, the Ski Men’s event was canceled, reducing their season to four events instead of five. As a result, their qualification for the FWT Finals was based on their best three results from those four events.

With the Cut now locked in, the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance is heading toward its ultimate showdown. Some riders will have their shot at glory on the legendary Bec des Rosses, while others fell just short despite giving it their all.

Marcus Goguen (CAN) leads the rankings after a stellar season with two victories and a podium finish, but the title is far from decided. Martin Bender (SUI) is right behind him, bringing strong momentum and the added advantage of competing in front of a home crowd in Verbier.

One of the biggest threats remains Valentin Rainer (AUT), the 2023 Freeride World Tour Champion. Rainer was eager to perform in Fieberbrunn, but with the event canceled, he will now have to prove himself in Verbier. With a 2nd place finish and two 4th places this season, his consistency keeps him in the title race, and as a former champion, he knows exactly what it takes to win on the sport’s biggest stage.

Just outside the top spots, Ben Richards (NZL) and rookies Virgile Didier (FRA) and Toby Rafford (USA) have shown strong performances throughout the season, proving they are not far from breaking into the highest ranks. With the Finals approaching, all three will be looking to make a lasting impression on the legendary Bec des Rosses.

Meanwhile, Kristofer Turdell (SWE) and Carl Regner Eriksson (SWE) pulled off incredible late-season comebacks to land inside the Cut. After tough starts to the year, they showed their experience and resilience, earning their place at the Xtreme Verbier just in time.

The battle for the Ski Women’s crown is far from over, with Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN) and Astrid Cheylus (FRA) locked in a tight race. Justine has a slight edge in the rankings, but everything will be decided at the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda.

Swiss rider Jenna Keller (SUI) put together an impressive mid-season comeback, earning two second-place finishes since the Kicking Horse Golden BC Pro to secure her FWT Finals spot. Now, she will have the added boost of competing in front of her home fans at the Xtreme Verbier.

The biggest last-minute qualification story belongs to Lily Bradley (USA). Sitting outside the Cut before Fieberbrunn, she delivered a must-win performance, taking first place and punching her ticket to the Finals in dramatic fashion.

Meanwhile, Zuzanna Witych (POL), who claimed victory at the Georgia Pro and currently sits 5th in the rankings, successfully qualified for the FWT Finals but will be unable to compete at the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda due to injury. A crash during the Fieberbrunn Pro resulted in a knee injury, forcing her to withdraw from the season finale. The FWT organization wishes her a fast and full recovery and looks forward to seeing her back stronger next year.

Victor de Le Rue (FRA) remains at the top of the rankings as he chases a record-breaking fourth FWT title, aiming to surpass his older brother, Xavier de Le Rue. Unlike last season, when he had already secured the championship after Fieberbrunn Pro, this time he must deliver at the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda to claim the crown.

Liam Rivera (SUI) and Cody Bramwell (GBR) pulled off astonishing late-season recoveries, swapping 1st and 2nd place finishes at the Georgia Pro and Fieberbrunn Pro. Bramwell took the win in Georgia, with Rivera in second, before Rivera responded in Fieberbrunn with Bramwell right behind him. Their surge up the rankings has cemented them as serious podium threats heading into the FWT Finals.

Meanwhile, Michael Mawn (USA) was on the bubble before Fieberbrunn and needed a strong performance to qualify for the FWT Finals. He delivered under pressure, securing 4th place to book his spot at the Xtreme Verbier.

Also in the mix is Jonathan Penfield (CAN), a seasoned FWT veteran sitting 4th in the rankings. With his wealth of experience and a strong season so far, he remains within striking distance of the top and could still shake up the final standings at the Xtreme Verbier.

There is no suspense left in Snowboard Women—Noémie Equy (FRA) is officially the 2025 Freeride World Tour Champion. Her dominant season, capped off with a victory at the Fieberbrunn Pro, secured the title before the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda. With no pressure on her shoulders, she can now approach the FWT Finals with the freedom to showcase her best riding and celebrate an incredible season.

Further down the rankings, Michaela Davis Meehan (AUS) put together a strong late-season push to secure her FWT Finals spot, showing impressive consistency when it mattered most. Núria Castán Barón (ESP) also made it through, but only by the slimmest of margins, earning her place at the Xtreme Verbier in a tight battle for the final qualification spots.

On the other side of the Cut line, defending champion Erin Sauve (CAN) was unable to qualify, marking a shift in the competitive landscape as a new wave of talent rises to the top. With riders like Noémie Equy and Anna Martinez (FRA) leading the charge, the next generation of freeride snowboarders is making its mark on the sport.

The FWT Finals are set, and the sport’s best freeriders will now prepare for their biggest challenge yet—the legendary Bec des Rosses. With world titles still on the line, the grand finale of the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance promises to be one of the most thrilling in history.

Stay tuned as the ultimate freeride champions are crowned!

For full rankings, results, and event updates, visit www.freerideworldtour.com.

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.

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.

Marianna Dallabetta Armani

marianna@freerideworldtour.com

+39 392 3254391