The highly anticipated list of all qualified riders for the upcoming 2018 FWT competition season is now officially available. The forty-two competitors comprise four categories: twenty ski men, eight ski women, eight snowboard men, and six snowboard women. Seasoned tour veterans will be joined by newly qualified athletes from the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) in each category for the five-stop tour.

The up-and-coming talent to watch in this category includes hard charger Trace Cooke (CAN), Kiwi crusher Craig Murray (NZL), and Mickael Bimboes (FRA). These emerging riders will face off against defending champion Léo Slemett (FRA) and a highly experienced field of veteran skiers.

Tour rookie Rachel Croft (USA) from Region 2 and Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI), who is returning for her second season on the FWT, will provide a formidable challenge for the ski women category. Lorraine Huber (AUT) will not cede her world champion title easily and riders like Arianna Tricomi (ITA) are still hungry for a top place finish on the podium.

Chamonix shredder Clement Bochatay (FRA) and Blake Hamm (USA) will make new additions to tour this year. Whether they will be able to unseat repeat world champions Sammy Luebke (USA) and Ralph Backstrom (USA) remains to be seen.

After a debut season last year, Manuela Mandl (AUT) will be back on the tour and joined by top qualifier Erika Vikander (USA) from Region 2. However, riders like Marion Haerty (FRA) and Anne-Flore Marxer (FRA/SUI) are riding stronger every year.

With tons of new faces on the tour combined with a massive talent pool from years past, the 2018 season is guaranteed to deliver a freeride spectacle of the highest level. Be sure to stay current for the latest competition announcements on the FWT social media and www.freerideworldtour.com

INFO: 2018 FWT