If your heart is still racing after the announcement that freeskiing legend Tanner Hall will receive a 2019 wild card for the Freeride World Tour (FWT), take a deep breath and prepare for seven more amazing wild card athletes to compete this season.
Wild cards are granted to exceptional athletes, local riders and competitors who have recovered from injury. Two of the seven additional wild cards this year are going to injured athletes Carl Regnér and Jackie Paaso.
After severely breaking his wrist hitting a tree in Japan last year, Carl Regnér will receive in an injury wild card to make an epic splash in the competition pool with his innovative riding style, bringing park tricks to the world of freeride.
Jackie Paaso is the second recipient of the injury wild card after struggling with a knee injury from a gnarly crash during the 2017 Verbier Xtreme. Being one of the most decorated FWT female athletes with multiple podium appearances, Xtreme Verbier Champ in 2016 and known for going bigger than big with massive airs, we’re excited to see Paaso back on the competition circuit this year.
Other athletes who received season wild cards are: tour veteran Drew Tabke, known for his creative and fearless riding style; Aymar Navarro, a powerful rider who seeks out the biggest lines on the mountain; Maude Besse, a rising star athlete in the women’s ski world with numerous podium finishes in the freeride circuit; and Fabio Studer who has snagged several top-five finishes since his debut on the 2012-13 tour season.
With a lineup as sick as this one, the 2019 FWT will undoubtedly demand the best riding from all of the athletes. We are anxiously awaiting the yet-to-be-released full schedule and competition dates and we’ll be sure to share every last detail with you once that information goes live.
