Women on the FWT kept on pushing the limits since the very first Xtreme Verbier in 1996, yet as in pretty much any other sport, gender equality is a challenge and we decided to take actions to promote a more equal practice of our sport.
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PUSHING THE SPORT SINCE 1996
celebrating the achievements of our female FWT athletes and how they continue to inspire us by pushing the limits of Freeriding.
our responsibility
As a Sports League, we believe it is our responsibility to promote an equal practice of the sport and remember what values make freeride so special: disruption, progression, exploration, are all words that know neither race, gender or sexual orientation. The purpose of the equality program is to implement actions that boost the progress of women's freeriding and groups of discussions so we can all define the next steps together.
OUR ACTIONS
Equal prize-money
Since the 2020 season, the FWT and FWTQ prize money are equal for men and women.
Gender Equality Commission
Created in January 2022, the gender equality commission gathers a mix of FWT / IFSA staff, Athletes (Pros and Qualifiers), Judges, Coaches, and Qualifier / Junior organizers, from both regions, male and female. The aim of the commission is to discuss various points about Sports Development, Communication, and Governance and come up with solutions. The committee will gather 3 times a year.
Women Freeride Clinics across all FWT destinations
As of 2022, FWT has been organising freeride clinics for women only, in the different FWT host resorts.
ABOUT WOMEN IN FREERIDING
At Freeride World Tour, we are committed to gender equality and we recognise the radical impact that we have on our community. For that, our commitment extends to providing equal opportunities, representation, and a culture of respect for all athletes, transcending gender boundaries. We’re taking action with all-female competitions, a dedicated Gender Equality Task Force, a comprehensive strategy plan to hold us accountable, and continuous governance improvements to ensure our commitment becomes reality.
Hailing from the iconic slopes of Verbier, Elisabeth has long held a dream close to her heart - winning the prestigious Xtreme Verbier competition. With her impeccable style and fearless approach to challenging runs, she fulfilled her dream by conquering the Bec des Rosses in both 2019 and 2021, and, to top it off, she clinched the title of Freeride World Tour Champion in 2021.
While making her mark on the snowboard cross World Cup circuit, Katie made a bold shift to freeride competitions. Her talents were recognised when she was crowned the FWT Rookie of the Year in 2020, and she has consistently graced the podium in numerous competitions throughout the years, eventually winning the world title in 2023.
From Montreal, Canada, Justine is the youngest member of the renowned "Dufour-Lapointe sisters" trio, all accomplished mogul skiers who competed together at the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Seeking to begin on a new chapter in her career, Justine entered the Freeride World Tour. Leveraging her strong freestyle background, she appeared to effortlessly secure the FTW23 World Champion title, further solidifying her status as an extraordinary athlete in the world of freeriding.
Native of Lake Tahoe, Lily learned to ski on the slopes of Palisades and achieved victory in the Americas FWQ21. As a rookie on the Tour in 2022, she had a remarkable breakout year, emerging as one of the youngest competitors to watch. Lily's talent shone bright with two podium finishes, securing a 3rd place in Ordino-Arcalìs and a sensational 1st place in Kicking Horse.
Straight outta Siberia, Anna Orlova spent three consecutive years on the Qualifier circuit, honing her skills and determination. In 2018, her hard work paid off as she secured an FWT event Wildcard, landing an impressive second place. Anna's ascent in the sport continued, as she earned the title of FWT Vice-Champion in 2019, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication. Remarkably, she repeated this feat in 2023, solidifying her status as one of the top athletes in the world of freeride skiing.
Raised in Verbier, Sybille's parents cultivated her deep-rooted passion for the mountains from a tender age. When she reached the age of 12, she faced a pivotal decision, as she was offered the opportunity to pursue her skiing journey within the structured framework of the regional alpine ski racing program. However, at the same time, a new freeride program emerged in Verbier. Sybille's choice to dedicate herself to freeriding undoubtedly proved to be a wise one. Her commitment and talent culminated in a victory, as she earned the 1st place at the Xtreme Verbier during the FWT22.
Have you witnessed or experienced gender-based discrimination at an FWT, Challenger, Qualifier, or Junior competition? Share your testimony anonymously on the link below.
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