The competition results made history, with rookie victories and title wins in perfect conditions on the Bec des Rosses
Victor de Le Rue (FRA) claims record fifth FWT Champion title, first in history
Ben Richards (NZL) and Mia Jones (USA) dominate the 2026 season with a third win and overall titles
Historic double victory for rookie Lou Barin (FRA)
Liam Rivera (SUI) earns an emotional first home victory in Verbier
VERBIER, Switzerland – March 28, 2026: The FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance concluded its 2026 season with a spectacular final on the legendary Bec des Rosses, one of the most demanding and iconic freeride faces in the world. Steep and technical, the venue has helped define the sport since 1996, when the first Xtreme Verbier was held on its slopes.
With perfect conditions and 50 cm of fresh snow in the days leading up to the event, the stage was set for an unforgettable showdown. Victor de Le Rue (FRA) secured a historic fifth title, continuing to push the boundaries of freeride snowboarding. Switzerland’s Liam Rivera thrilled the home crowd with a long-awaited victory on the Bec des Rosses, posting the highest score ever recorded in Snowboard Men competition. In Ski Men, Ben Richards (NZL) capped off a dominant season, while in Ski Women, rookie Lou Barin (FRA) claimed a remarkable double victory. In Snowboard Women, Mia Jones (USA) completed a flawless debut season, taking both the event win and the overall title.
With a spectacular display on the Bec des Rosses, the YETI Xtreme Verbier once again confirmed its status as the ultimate stage in freeride competition.
Snowboard Men: Local Verbier rider Liam Rivera wins the YETI Xtreme Verbier as Victor de Le Rue secures historic fifth FWT title
The stakes were exceptionally high in the Snowboard Men category, as Victor de Le Rue (FRA) chased history while Liam Rivera (SUI), local Verbier rider and reigning FIS World Champion, aimed for both his first home victory and a remarkable double title in a single season. The final delivered on all expectations, with both riders achieving their objectives in spectacular fashion.
De Le Rue (FRA) continued to redefine the limits of freeride snowboarding, securing a historic fifth FWT title after first tying the record last season with his fourth. He delivered one of the most anticipated runs of the day, launching a massive backflip directly into a high-consequence no-fall zone and a clean backside 360 followed. He was awarded 75 points, placing him second on the day.
Liam Rivera (SUI) showcased his deep familiarity with the Bec des Rosses. A product of the Verbier Freeride Team, Rivera chosed a high-risk line that featured a large air off the top. He linked his run seamlessly with a perfectly controlled backflip. Rivera was awarded 96 points, the highest Snowboard Men score ever, setting an untouchable benchmark that secured him victory on the Bec des Rosses and thrilled the home crowd. While Rivera claimed the event win, de Le Rue’s performance was enough to secure the 2026 Freeride World Tour title, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
In third place, 20-year-old César Barin (FRA) confirmed his status as one of the standout rookies of the season. Facing the formidable Bec des Rosses for the first time, Barin rose to the challenge with confidence. Delivering a composed and complete run, he earned a score of 73.67 to round out the podium for the first time of his season.
“It’s a competition I’ve watched since I was a kid, and winning it feels unreal. I’m so happy to have put down my run and deliver a show in front of my family and the Swiss crowd.”
Liam Rivera, 2026 YETI Xtreme Verbier Snowboard Men Winner
“A fifth title for me, it’s just incredible. That was my goal coming into the season. The competition was insane, with amazing snow conditions. Riding the Bec is always impressive, with its steepness and its history on the FWT, so I’m really happy to have put down my run"
Victor de Le Rue, 2026 FWT Snowboard Men Champion
Ski Men: Ben Richards dominates 2026 season with third win at the YETI Xtreme Verbier and secures FWT Champion title
Ben Richards (NZL) capped off a perfect season with a third victory, following wins in Baqueira Beret and Val Thorens, by delivering a standout performance at the season finale, the prestigious YETI Xtreme Verbier on the Bec des Rosses. His run reinforced his reputation as one of the most technically precise and fluid riders on the Freeride World Tour.
The New Zealander opened with a massive, perfectly executed 360 above a highly exposed section. He then linked multiple features seamlessly, including a long high-speed transfer, showcasing his ability to blend freestyle elements with big-mountain terrain. Awarded 96 points, Richards completed a historic clean sweep: claiming victory at the YETI Xtreme Verbier, the FIS Freeride World Champion title, and the 2026 FWT crown in a single season. A benchmark performance, cementing his status among the sport’s elite.
In second place, Toby Rafford (USA), fresh off a win in Alaska, delivered a strong and stylish run. He opened with a confident 360 and maintained speed into a technical double in the upper section. Scoring 94.67 points, Rafford secured another podium finish in Verbier, confirming his consistency at the highest level.
Tiemo Rolshoven (GER) finished third with a composed and fluid run combining solid freeride fundamentals and progressive freestyle elements. With precise execution throughout, he earned 93 points, highlighting his potential as part of the next generation of FWT contenders.
“Competing at the Xtreme Verbier has always been a dream of mine but winning it is simply indescribable. To me, the FWT title is the cherry on top. Hearing the crowd from the summit gave me so much energy, it truly is the best event.”
Ben Richards, 2026 YETI Xtreme Verbier Ski Men Winner and 2026 FWT Ski Men Champion
Ski Women: Historic double for rookie Lou Barin with victory at YETI Xtreme Verbier and FWT Champion title
Lou Barin (FRA) delivered a sensational breakthrough at the YETI Xtreme Verbier, claiming both the event victory and the Freeride World Tour title in her rookie season.
A former freestyle rider competing in her first year on tour, Barin closed out the 2026 season in remarkable fashion. Facing the Bec des Rosses for the first time (and admitting beforehand to feeling intimidated by the mountain), she rose to the occasion with composure. She opened her run by linking the top section as a double feature, an ambitious choice, before adding a 360 off the upper traverse, maximizing a section often approached conservatively. She continued to build momentum with a second clean 360 off a cliff feature. Awarded 95 points, she secured victory on the Bec des Rosses. The result also sealed the overall Freeride World Tour title, completing an exceptional debut season.
In second place, reigning FWT Champion Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN) delivered a bold and memorable run, staying true to her goal of “doing something she would remember forever.” The Canadian Olympian opened with a direct air off the top before linking a series of large features with speed and precision. A major cliff drop followed, executed cleanly, and she finished with a massive final air into the apron, absorbing the impact despite losing both poles on landing. She scored 79.67 points to secure second place.
Sybille Blanjean (SUI) finished third with a committed performance on home soil. A former winner in Verbier, she chose a high-consequence line skier’s right, one of the most exposed sections of the face, standing out for its technical difficulty and boldness. Awarded 78.97 points, Blanjean claimed third place, once again demonstrating her consistency on one of freeride’s most demanding stages in front of a home crowd.
“Just three years ago, I would never have felt capable of riding the Bec. Since Alaska, I’ve gained so much confidence. I still can’t quite process what just happened, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I’m truly happy to have shared this season with my brother.”
Lou Barin, 2026 YETI Xtreme Verbier Ski Women Winner and 2026 FWT Ski Women Champion
Snowboard Women: Third win for Rookie Mia Jones, who also secures the FWT Champion Title
Mia Jones (USA) delivered a landmark performance at the YETI Xtreme Verbier, claiming both victory on the Bec des Rosses and the 2026 Freeride World Tour title in her rookie season. In a historic moment, Jones became part of the first parent-child duo to compete on the Bec des Rosses, following in the footsteps of her father, Jeremy Jones, who won on the same face in 2004.
Starting from gate three (the only snowboarder in the women’s field to do so), Jones committed to a highly exposed and technical line. She opened with a strong air into the upper face and maintained speed through steep terrain, linking features fluidly while navigating complex sections with precision. Awarded 87 points, she secured both the event victory and the overall title.
In a remarkable debut season, Jones not only claimed the Championship but also etched her name into freeride history, sharing a unique legacy with her father on one of the sport’s most iconic faces. Like Ben Richards, she completed a clean sweep of the season’s top honors: YETI Xtreme Verbier winner, FIS Freeride World Champion, and 2026 FWT Champion.
Anna Martinez (FRA) continued her consistent 2026 campaign with another podium performance. The Chamonix rider brought her trademark confidence in steep terrain to Verbier, choosing a direct and technical line rider’s right, an area known for its exposure and density of features. She linked multiple cliff drops with controlled landings, including a key mid-face section requiring exact trajectory between rock features. She was awarded 79.67 points to secure second place.
Michaela Davis-Meehan (AUS) finished third, building on her runner-up result in Verbier the previous year. Her run showcased strong freeride fundamentals and she earned 78.00 points to round out the podium.
“I can’t believe it. I was pretty nervous riding the Bec for the first time, but in these conditions, the venue was just incredible. There was so much energy at the top, with everyone cheering, it was an unforgettable moment.”
Mia Jones, 2026 YETI Xtreme Verbier Snowboard Women Winner and 2026 FWT Snowboard Women Champion
An intense season concludes with outstanding FWT Finals
After two strong opening events, and despite the cancellation of two competitions before the Cut, the 2026 season proved demanding for both riders and organizers. The stakes remained high throughout, culminating in Finals held in perfect snow conditions in Alaska and on the Bec des Rosses. The season finale delivered standout performances and unforgettable moments: Ben Richards and Mia Jones dominated their respective categories with clean sweeps, Victor de Le Rue claimed a historic fifth FWT title, the first in Tour history, and rookie Lou Barin secured a remarkable double victory in Verbier and the overall standings.
A fitting conclusion to a season defined by resilience, progression, and world-class freeride.
See you next winter!
