Featured Image: Dom Daher, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
After days of uncertainty, the 2025 FWT Georgia Pro stop went off with a bang in the Caucasus Mountains. Intense storms peppered the regions for days leading up to the weather window, causing the avalanche danger to skyrocket as the snowpack became increasingly unstable. Securing the right venue became the number one priority for the FWT team, which proved to be no easy task. There were plenty of hazards, from wind slaps to loaded cornices and persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Nevertheless, the crew worked day and night and eventually settled on returning to last year’s competition face; the Kakhiani face.
While the north-northwest facing venue proved to be safe from major avalanche danger, conditions were still challenging for competitors. Temperatures reached -13°F, leaving the snow dry and grippy, similar to conditions at the previous stop in Kicking Horse, British Colombia. 25-40 mph winds sculpted the snow, compacting some areas and ensuring riders will stay on top of the fresh. All this compounded into a variable but incredibly energetic face with all the right attributes for an insane competition. And sure enough, what we witnessed in Georgia was nothing short of mind-blowing, so let’s dive in.
In the Ski Women’s Field, Zuzanna Witych clinched the top spot to secure her second podium of the year. Jenna Keller clinched her second consecutive silver medal finish and American Taylor Dobyns landed on the podium for the first time this year. Georgia provides the unexpected! Dobyns run featured a unique line choice that sent her through avalanche debris and into a full-throttle exit, where she pinned three airs back to back to back. Keller showed strong riding and was able to billygoat her way into a new section of the face hardly touched, as the judges rewarded her with a high technique and line score. But it was Zuza Witych who took the win, and while her technique score wasn’t as high as her closest competitors, she was far ahead in every other category. Her first place finish couldn’t have been more timely, as she is now sitting in fourth place overall in the field with only one stop remaining before the FWT Finals cut.
“This victory feels amazing, especially after my last two events did not go as planned. The competition was incredibly strong, and winning among such inspiring athletes makes it even more special. Plus, the beautiful mountains surrounding us made this an unforgettable experience.” – Zuzanna Witych, 2025 Georgia Pro Ski Women Winner
In the Ski Men’s Field, it was eat or be eaten. Seven of the 20 competitors didn’t make it to the finish, but the snow was rewarding for others who were able to put down the line they’d imagined. The flying Frenchman Vergile Didier fended off Toby Rafford by less than two points to hold down third place. Didier narrowly missed the podium at Stop Three in Golden, BC, but with several massive airs and two backies, he capitalized in Georgia and is now in fifth place overall. Swiss rider Martin Bender grabbed second place. In just his second year of the FWT, Bender took first in Val Thorens earlier this year. He came out of the start gate hot, putting down one of the biggest 360s we’ve ever seen and immediately following it up with a backflip to bolts. Marcus Goguen continued his hot streak with another first place finish, and we’re beginning to wonder if the pride of Whistler will ever step out of the hot seat again. He’s either crashed or podiumed in every event; a testament to his uncompromising approach. We saw another mind boggling cork 7, massive 360 and a capped it all off by punting a tasteful screamin’ seaman to the moon. He’s now in first place in the Ski Men’s Field after two consecutive first place wins.
” I always aim for smooth landings, but more than that, I push my limits and strive to improve with every competition. Georgia’s mountain ranges are spectacular, unlike anything I’ve seen before, and I hope to return to explore more of this incredible terrain.” – Marcus Goguen, 2025 Georgia Pro Ski Men Winner
Stay tuned to find out which riders will be moving into the finals, with the next stop taking place in Fieberbrunn, Austria with a weather window of March 8-13.
Below, you’ll find the podium results, winning runs and a full photo gallery of the event.
Click here to watch the full replay of Stop Four on the official FWT website.
Ski Women’s Stop Two Results
🥇 Zuzanna Witych (POL) 77.00
🥈Jenna Keller (SUI) 73.67
🥉 Taylor Dobyns (USA) 68.67
Ski Men’s Stop Two Results
🥇 Marcus Goguen (CAN) 92.33
🥈 Martin Bender (SUI) 90.33
🥉 Virgile Didier (FRA) 89.17
Photo Gallery
Images: Dom Daher, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
