Click here for final 2011 FWT overall rankings.

Click here for full results of Nissan Xtreme Verbier 2011 by Swatch.

On a gorgeous day with a fresh blanket of cold snow and bluebird skies, riders competing today on the Bec des Rosses skied their best lines in an effort to join the elite few who have been able to call themselves Freeride World Champion. Prior to the event, organizers closed the top looker’s right of the face due to security reasons. However, several riders used creative line choices to find their way through the labyrinth of rocks, some to access the main cliff that was the key to winning today’s event.

Out of the five men skiers who were still in contention for the men’s overall ski title, it was Aurélien Ducroz (FRA) who skied the best line of the day with an outstanding run including two massive cliff drops and fast, confident riding on this challenging face. His performance was good enough to win him not only the top spot on the “Xtreme” podium but also the 2011 Freeride World Champion title. Samuel Anthamatten (SUI) is runner-up World Champion and Jérémy Prévost (FRA) takes third place overall, both in their first season on the Freeride World Tour.

The women skiers stepped up and put on a remarkable show today with the highest level of riding ever seen on the Freeride World Tour. Former Olympic Swedish ski racer Janette Hargin stunned the crowd with a fluid line that included several cleanly landed cliff drops. Her incredible performance earned her today’s win and the 2011 Freeride World Champion crown. Angel Collinson (USA), in her rookie year on the tour, took second overall and Janina Kuzma (NZL) is third.

In addition to a total cash purse of $60,000 for today’s event, each of the 2011 Freeride World Champions wins a NEW NISSAN JUKE.

Quotes Freeride World Champions:

Aurélien Ducroz (FRA): “Everything went perfect for me today. I was really surprised nobody went on my line and thought to myself, ‘You guys gave me a big present!’ I jumped two big cliffs; the second was even bigger than last year. I love the Bec des Rosses because it requires very technical skiing and I’m so happy to win here. I’ve been waiting for this title. Now I can go with a light heart into my sailing season.”

Janette Hargin (SWE): “I’m just so happy I can’t describe it. I was pretty nervous this morning and I just tried to keep it together. I had a good plan but I was not really sure if I would find my way down. But I made it, I found my cliffs, stomped my landings and skied with a pretty good flow. This venue fits perfectly for the girls and this is the way to continue, to find a venue that is a little bit easier than the men’s and that way everyone is charging and you get better skiing.”

Quote Nicolas Hale-Woods (SUI) Freeride World Tour Founder and Head Organizer:
“It’s been a fantastic season and we’ve seen a very solid progression to the sport. Today we saw great lines, notably by the women and especially Janette’s (Hargin) winning line, which showcased her professional approach. For the future, the Freeride World Tour will progress to keep pace with our fast-growing sport. We’re becoming increasingly well-known to the public and we have great potential to grow even further. Looking forward to the fifth edition 2012.”

For more rider quotes, click here.

The Freeride World Tour 2011 six stages:

1. Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch (FRA)
 Date: 22 January 2011 – Men / Women – Ski / Snowboard

2. Nissan Freeride Engadin St. Moritz 2011 by Swatch (SUI)
Date: 30 January 2011 – Men – Ski / Snowboard

3.a The North Face Masters of Crystal Mountain 2011 by Swatch and PrimaLoft (USA)
Date: 7 February 2011 – Men – Snowboard

3.b North American Freeskiing Championships Kirkwood 2011 by Swatch, The North Face and Sierra Nevada (USA)
Date: 25 February 2011 – Men / Women – Ski

4. Nissan Russian Adventure Sochi 2011 (RUS)
Date: 5 March 2011 – Men – Ski / Snowboard

5. Swatch Big Mountain Fieberbrunn 2011 by Nissan (AUT)
Date: 12 March 2011 – Men – Ski / Snowboard

6. Nissan Xtreme Verbier 2011 by Swatch (SUI)
Date: 19 March 2011 (Finals) – Men / Women – Ski / Snowboard

Women’s Main Events 2011:

1. La Clusaz Radikal Mountain (FRA)
Date: 16 January 2011

2. Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch (FRA)
Date: 22 January 2011

3. Big Mountain Hochfügen (AUT)
Date: 5 February 2011

4a. The North American Freeskiing Championships Kirkwood 2011 by Swatch, The North Face and Sierra Nevada (USA)
Date: 25 February 2011 – SKI ONLY

4b. The North Face Masters of Snowboarding 2011, Kirkwood (USA)
Date: 5 March 2011 – SNOWBOARD ONLY

5. Salomon Extreme Freeride Championship, Taos, New Mexico, (USA)
Date: 5 March 2011 – SKI ONLY

6. Nendaz Freeride (SUI)
Date: 12 March 2011

7. Nissan Xtreme Verbier 2011 by Swatch (SUI)
Date: 19 March 2011 – FINAL for qualified riders

8. Röldal Freeride (NOR)
Date: 30 April 2011