Freeride World Tour: Tignes, France

2009-03-16 The Nissan Freeride de Tignes, the third stage of the Freeride World Tour, took place on the impressive Grand Balme face, left untouched for this competition. After patiently awaiting the best conditions for the competition, the organizers and those from the Tignes resort provided an amazing playground for the world’s elite to reveal their talent.

The French snowboarder, Xavier de Le Rue, took his first victory of the season reinforcing his top spot of the Freeride World Ranking. Among the first to head down the slope, the Freeride World Champion 2008 had an exceptional run recognized by the judges and spectators gathered at the foot of the magnificent Grand Balme face. The Austrian Max Zipser took second with a well-thought run after several podiums in Freeride World Qualifier events. Alex Coudray also impressed the media and spectators, thus was given the Media Judges Award.

Kaj Zackrisson, Tignes
Photo: ©NISSAN FREERIDE DE TIGNES FRA / C.MARGOT

Caroline Meynet also from France took her first major victory of her career. Using her technical talent, she was able to beat out the leaders of the Freeride World Ranking. With a powerful runs and perfectly mastered jumps, Marja Persson (SWE, 2nd) and Elyse Saugstad (USA, 3rd), Freeride World Champion 2008, were not able to steal the spotlight from Caroline.

Julien Falco, Tignes
Photo: ©NISSAN FREERIDE DE TIGNES FRA /C MARGOT

Eric Hemel, Tignes
Photo: ©Credit:FREERIDE WORLD TOUR / D. DAHER

In the men's ski competition, the young Austrian Matthias Haunholder also took his first victory on the Freeride World Tour after having had an impressive season at the qualifier level in 2008. This skier from Fieberbrunn won by a landslide ahead of Thomas Diet (FRA), who also achieved his career best result. From Val Thorens, Thomas finally revealed his talent climbing his first podium just ahead of the Freeride World Champion 2008, Henrik Windstedt (SWE). The favorite, Aurelien Ducroz, current leader of the Freeride World Ranking, unfortunately fell after a perfect start.

Julien Falco, Tignes
Photo: ©NISSAN FREERIDE DE TIGNES FRA /C MARGOT

In the women's snowboard competition, Geraldine Fasnacht (SUI), winner of the Nissan Xtreme de Verbier several times, made her comeback with a great victory. Granted a Wild Card after a knee injury in 2008, this snowboarder from Verbier chose the perfect line. She won ahead of Susan Mol (USA), winner of the Nissan Tram Face that took place just a few days ago in Squaw Valley USA.

Results

Men Ski

1-Matthias Haunholder AUT
2- Thomas Diet FRA
3-Henrik Windstedt SWE

Women Ski

1- Caroline Meynet FRA
2-Marja Persson SWE
3-Elyse Saugstad USA

Men Snowboard

1-Xavier de Le Rue FRA
2- Max Zipser AUT
3- Alex Coudray SUI

Women Snowboard

1-Géraldine Fasnacht SUI
2-Susan Moll USA
3-Anniina Karvinen FIN

Text: Finn Nilson

Also read: Freeride World Tour: Squaw Valley, USA

Freeride World Tour: Tignes, France

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