The 17 skiers and snowboarders (out of 25) who competed in the Freeride World Tour final on the ?face du Bec des Rosses? in Verbier this weekend, are going to have to compete all over again; the weather window not being wide enough to get everyone through.
As far as the skiers are concerned, saturday?s runs will not count, since less than 2/3 of the skiers in the starting line-up were able to compete. Just one more skier?s run was needed to meet the two 3rds rule?? Neither Sverre liliequist, Candide Thovex, Tim Dutton, JT Holmes nor Jérémie Heitz were able to do their stuff.
If there is no break in the weather before next Sunday the 28th of March, the Xtrem de Verbier will be completely cancelled, and it?s the current Freeride World Tour rankings that will count. Henrik Windstedt will thus be crowned the winner.
If this final stage does take place, what might be the strategy of our Candide Thovex, on this somewhat intimidating face, where he does not appear completely at home?
Rumour has it he was planning a 360 off the ?Voirol?. But a head to head with Guerlain Chicherit (before the cancellation) suggests otherwise. ?No 360s ? He was talking about it, but last night we decided to play it safe, to get to the bottom, and to earn points for the World Tour rankings. We?ve been working together quite a lot these last few days, and Candide wants to finish in the top 5, not necessarily go for a win. He has a really nice line planned, with loads of little quick jumps. He?s going to play with the terrain and do his ?cat? thing ? assuming he?s got the legs to make it to the bottom. He?ll be in the main ?couloir? and will hit the ?Voirol? like everyone else, but he?ll also throw in a few tricks that no-one else has done before.?
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