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The FWT 2026 announces two luxury wildcards: Max Hitzig and Sybille Blanjean return after injury and aim high.
Article
The Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance 2026 kicks off with two anticipated returns. Germany's Max Hitzig and Switzerland's Sybille Blanjean are back in competition after a year of recovery, ready to once again challenge the most extreme lines on the world circuit.
After being sidelined for the 2025 season due to injury, both riders arrive at this edition with renewed motivation and the ambition to reclaim top positions. Their return adds excitement to a competitor list that promises one of the most intense seasons in recent years.
The champion's return
Max Hitzig burst onto the Freeride World Tour in 2022 with a stunning victory in Fieberbrunn. Since then, his progression has been meteoric: fourth overall in 2023 and absolute champion in 2024, with five podiums and two victories.
His aggressive and technical style established him as one of the most complete riders on the circuit. An injury kept him out of 2025, paving the way for Canada's Marcus Goguen to win his first title. But this winter, the story promises revenge: Hitzig and Goguen will face off again, with a general level higher than ever.
“I had to sit out last season and couldn’t defend my title. This year I'm back with more eagerness than ever. I’ve trained hard all summer and I feel ready to fight for my second championship,” Hitzig stated.
Sybille Blanjean, the energy of Verbier
On the women's side, Sybille Blanjean is synonymous with charisma and power. The Verbier rider captivated audiences in 2022 by winning the Xtreme Verbier, the most iconic stop on the Tour. In 2024, she shone again with a victory at the Georgia Pro, establishing herself as one of the circuit favorites.
A back injury forced her to withdraw just before the start of the 2025 season, but this winter she returns with renewed energy and the excitement of tackling an expanded calendar with new stops like Val Thorens Pro and YETI Haines Alaska Pro.
“It was very tough to have to stop just before starting, but I needed to heal properly. Now I’m fully recovered and very eager to travel and compete again. This year the Tour has new locations, and that makes it even more exciting,” Blanjean explains.
A promising season
With both riders back and a calendar combining alpine classics and unprecedented destinations, the Freeride World Tour 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant edition. From Hitzig's power to Blanjean's elegant technique, each stop promises pure spectacle and a level that once again elevates global freeride.
Fans can follow every competition on freerideworldtour.com and the official FWT social media channels, with live coverage, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes access from all corners of the snow planet.
