[UPDATE] – Due to recent high winds after several days of snow storms, the FWT Stop #4 venue has been moved to the ‘Petit Bec’ face. Located just to the lookers right of the classic Bec des Rosses competition face, the Petit Bec was more shielded from the wind than the main face and held stable conditions and more fresh snow. It offers a bounty of playful and technical lines that the riders will no doubt be able to juice up.
With one day left until the final stop of the Freeride World Tour ’21, it’s time to get dialed in on what the Bec des Rosses has to offer this year, and what an offering it is. This picturesque face always offers lines a plenty, and this year is no exception. Boasting a very impressive snowpack, with recent storms laying down some top tier chunder, the legendary Bec is looking as good as it ever has. Just take a peek at what FWT competitor and tail press aficionado Elisabeth Gerritzen got into the other day. There’s no doubt that all the riders are doing their homework, studying the course and preparing for an incredible finale to the season. With the Xtreme Verbier competition celebrating its 25th birthday this year, the copious snowfall makes for the perfect quarter-century birthday present.
Very few comps hold the weight that this one does. Not only can the winner take the crown of Verbier, but the fate of the whole tour lies at Stop Four. The list of snow sliders has been snipped down, with six women and 12 men getting ready to perch atop the hair-raising start gates. Utah-certified snow terror Isaac Freeland suffered a tragic knee injury in the days leading up to Stop Four. Rest assured, Isaac is on the rehab grind and going strong, but his extravagant riding will undoubtably be missed. He will be replaced in the lineup by Tao Kreibich, the tour’s lone Austrian. The 23-year-old placed 5th at the Ordino-Arcalís Stop Two, and one can only assume he will be hungry and ready to take advantage of his situation. Arianna Tricomi is a favorite on the womens side, being the previous, 3 time consecutive FWT champion. It will be far from a leisurely lap for Arianna, however, as Hedvig Wessel has been laying down nothing but heat this year and claimed the Stop #1 top seat.
While we unfortunately cannot be there in person, the Tour has provided us with videos documenting the days leading up to the event. To see just how intense the face of the Bec really is, as well a look at how much work goes into preparing the face, check out the venue check, presented by Black Diamond. If you’re curious about what the scoring and podium possibilities are, or just want to watch some crazy kooks tear around the fresh snow, take a look at the Xtreme Verbier Insider video.
