FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1 Roster announcement

Relegated FWT Pro riders to face off against FWT Qualifier athletes

After three FWT stops, the Cut has officially taken place, condensing the FWT Pro roster and relegating half to the FWT Challenger series. With many of the next generation proving themselves in the FWT, some extremely talented riders return to the FWT Challenger series, where they’ll vie to requalify for next season. They’ll meet the best athletes from the Qualifiers in each region, who have also raised the bar to show real progression in every aspect of freeriding, promising sustained growth of the sport for years to come.

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FWT Challenger by Orage 2024 calendar recap

• Monterosa Freeride Paradise FWT Challenger (Italy): March 14-17
• X Over Ride Kitzsteinhorn, Zell am See-Kaprun FWT Challenger (Austria): March 21-24
• French Freeride Series Avoriaz FWT Challenger (France): March 29 - April 1
• Open Faces Obertauern FWT Challenger (Austria): April 6-10

Without further ado, here's the Roster for Region 1, which includes riders from Europe, Asia and Oceania.

2024 FWT Pro relegated riders

Here are the riders relegated from the FWT Pro who will attempt to re-qualify for the Freeride World Tour in the FWT Challenger by Orage.

Snowboard Women

• Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA)
• Anna Orlova

Despite their experience on the Tour – including Tiphanie winning the title in 2022 – both have been relegated and now must face the new generation in the FWT Challenger to requalify.

Ski Women

Unfortunately, Megane couldn’t carry her form from FWT23 when she finished third overall, but she will now be able to show off her smooth style in the FWT Challenger series.

• Megane Betend (FRA)

Snowboard Men

A very tight Roster in the men's snowboard category forced the three French riders, including the 2023 World Champion, Ludovic Guillot-Diat to return to the FWT Challenger.

• Hugo Serra (FRA)
• Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA)
• Gabriel Bletton (FRA)

Qualified riders from Region 1

Here are the riders from the FWT Qualifiers who will battle against these FWT seasoned Pros in the FWT Challenger by Orage.

Gabriel Bletton is competing in both the ski (from the FWT Qualifier) and snowboard (from the FWT Pro) categories! Meanwhile, two-time X-Games medalist Alex Hackel joins the roster with a wildcard, bringing his freestyle expertise to the FWT Challenger competitions.

Kelly Berthon is first in the Qualifier ranking after her victory at the 2024 Open Faces Montafon Qualifier 4*, and her 3rd place at the 2024 French Freeride Series La Rosière Qualifier.

Jakob Weger is an extremely talented snowboarder and a veteran of high-mountain riding. He will have the opportunity to showcase all of his skills at the FWT Challenger.

Who will earn their place alongside the world’s best freeriders in 2025? Tune in to find out, as all FWT Challenger events will be broadcast LIVE at www.freerideworldtour.com. In the meantime, stay tuned to the FWT social channels for all the latest updates as they drop.