The inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships takes place tomorrow in Andorra, marking the first time a freeride event sanctioned by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has taken place.
The event will bring together 66 elite riders from 17 nations in a code that could well be announced as an Olympic sport next year.
The team repping New Zealand - Ben Richards (ski), Fynn Powell (ski), Conrad Niven (snowboard)and Jessica Hotter (ski) - will compete on behalf of Aotearoa, taking on the iconic Basser Negre facein Ordino Arcalis in the Pyrenees with its vertical drop of 470 meters.
What is Freeride? It’s all about navigating the natural terrain on a mountain, creating the best run possible from a start gate at the top to a finish gate at the bottom. What seems like impossible lines, cliff faces and cornices becomes a way for boarders and riders to improvise big jumps and fast, smooth turns.
Coming off back to back wins in the 2026 Freeride World Tour at the Baqueira Beret Pro in Spain and Val Thorens Pro in France, Ben Richards (Wānaka, 25) might well be the incoming favourite in the ski event.
Richards seems to be on the ride of his life. “I honestly can’t believe it. It’s been a dream start to the season. I definitely feel in a groove right now; my goal for the rest of the season is just to keep itgoing, have fun and keep the golden bib.”
The theme of having fun is part of the plan for team coach and manager Blake Marshall, himself a four time world tour athlete.
“Our training philosophy is to keep it fun, keep it focussed, manage the stress and keep the vibe high. I remind them that it’s just skiing and if they fall, they’re just trying their best and it’s not the end of the world,” he says.
During competition, Marshall is there to steer the athletes in the right direction and help themvisualise their run. “It involves a lot of mental preparation and visualisation. We stay in communication during the competition; we try and cover every base so they’re as prepared as they can be.”
It’s a thrilling event to watch as the athletes throw themselves down the run in search of podium places. Visit the Freeride website to find out more and tune in live: Here
PC: JBERNARD
8 hours ago