Freeride World Tour's Second Stop Gathers Snowsport Elite

The competition ultimately had to move to Pointe de Thorens (3,266 m), a location with unique characteristics that provided the ideal setting for riders to showcase their full potential. The change of venue was due to the fact that the original face of the Cime Caron was rendered unusable by snow conditions, coupled with unstable weather during inspection.

Despite this, a two-day weather window, precisely managed by the organizers, allowed the event to proceed, leading to spectacular descents and a memorable freeride day, befitting one of the season's most demanding events.

Victor de Le Rue, a true icon in Val Thorens, secured a long-sought victory since last season with an intense and highly technical run on particularly exposed terrain. After a modest start in Spain, the four-time Freeride World Tour champion returned to the top of the podium with a score of 90.67, reminding everyone why he remains one of the most emblematic figures in global freeride.

American Shayne Blue Sandblom secured second place after executing an impressive backflip, earning him 87.00 points. Meanwhile, the defending champion of this event, Enzo Nilo, completed the podium with a solid and consistent run, valued at 84.67 points, which allowed him to finish in third place.

On the other hand, Noémie Equy finally achieved the much-desired home victory, a triumph she had been pursuing since last season and which, according to her inner circle, held even greater emotional value than the Tour title itself. Before an enthusiastic crowd, the reigning champion delivered a solid and precise run, displaying the technical control and serenity that have marked her progression on the circuit. Her performance was rewarded with a score of 84.00.

Closely behind was her compatriot Anna Martinez (FRA), who once again claimed second place on the podium with a round valued at 78.33 points. Third place went to Mia Jones (USA), who with 64.67 continues to deliver an outstanding debut season.

For her part, Núria Castán (ESP) finished in fifth position after an ambitious run, penalized by a lack of control, and remains in the fight to make the cut in the general classification.

Moving from snowboarding to skiing, as many as five Freeride World Tour champions started, though none reached the podium. Victory went to New Zealander Ben Richards, who delivered an almost flawless run. Starting in last position and wearing the leader's bib, he executed his strategy with characteristic composure: a fluid and efficient upper section, crowned by a large 360 followed by a clean air. The performance was rewarded with 92.00 points, thus sealing his second consecutive victory in the Freeride World Tour 2026.

American rookie Joey Leonardo secured second place with a powerful and convincing line valued at 89.00 points. The third step of the podium went to Ross Tester, who once again opted for a brave and very clean line, rewarded with 84.33 points.

Furthermore, Abel Moga, after a complicated start in Baqueira Beret, chose an alternative and solid line, topped off with a front flip that allowed him to finish in seventh position and re-enter the fight to make the championship cut.

In the women's ski category, Agostina Vietti (ARG) etched her name into the history of the Freeride World Tour by becoming the first Argentine woman to win a Women's Ski event, achieving a score of 77.33. Her run was fast, solid, and well-managed, leveraging her background in competitive skiing to decisively attack key sections without losing speed.

Swiss Sybille Blanjean (SUI) secured second place with 74.33 points, a particularly notable result in her first year back to competition after an injury. Rookie American Wynter McBride (USA) closed the podium, finishing in third place with a score of 72.00, confirming her promising debut on the circuit.

With the conclusion of this second event, the season enters a decisive moment and the overall standings are becoming clearer. The Spanish representatives remain in contention, while Vietti has already made a historical mark on the circuit. The French contingent, meanwhile, capitalized on the support of the home crowd, pushing their lines to the limit in a clearly favorable atmosphere. Looking ahead to the next events, that support will play a different role, as the Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance heads to a completely different stage: the imposing mountains of the Caucasus, where the third stop of the season, the Georgia Pro, will take place.