What a day, what a contest.
Monday February 1, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

The Freeride World Tour took place in Chamonix. The Frenchman Candide Thoves won the skiing and a British snowboarder, in his first major event, came third. See the video and the photos.

It was with a huge sigh of relief that the competition took place on Sunday. The day brought clear skies, stable snow and the organisers were able to let competition finally begin.

Not only had the Chamonix leg been delayed for a day by the weather, the previous round in Sochi, Russia, had to be called off altogether.

It will though be held later in the week in Chamonix if conditions allow.

The competition faceOver 50 of the world's best freeriders were in town for the event and they didn't disappoint the 3,000 strong crowd that turned out to watch the contest on the 500m, "Pentes de l'Hôtel" face at the Brévent ski area in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

The most impressive run of the day was the clean victory of French freestyle skier, Candide Thovex.

It was his first major freeride contest.

What a way to start!

The favourite and reigning champion, Aurelien Ducroix, came 13th.

There had been snow over the last few days and the guides and organisers pronounced it safe on Saturday with all the riders going up to the area to see the face and plan their line down.

Planning a line

However. the powder snow made conditions deep for the first few riders, but then they scrapped away much of the fresh snow exposing rocks and ice for those following.

Thovex chose a tough line down the face, flying through the course at full speed, stomping several solid cliff jumps, cheered on by the crowd.

"I couldn't sleep very well last night as I wasn't really sure of my line, and I felt a lot of pressure this morning. But I went up early and got a good vision of the course. I looked for good snow and a line I could enjoy," said Thovex after his victory.

"I am really happy of the victory and am really motivated for the coming events!"

Quite a spectacle!In the men's snowboard event a British man came an amazing third place.

James Stentiford, from Chamonix, was the only Briton in the competition.

He had a very fluid and fast run, with full control down the icy part of the face, giving him the third place on the podium.

He followed the Swiss rider, Raphy Gillioz, who fell badly after a cliff jump and broke his elbow.

"I was really nervous up top after the fall of Raphy, so I changed my line a bit. The landings where pretty harsh but it worked out really well for me. I am really happy to be on this podium as I live here and it is the third contest I have ever done," said a beaming Stentiford.

The Freeride World Tour consists of 4 legs and attracts the best riders in the world as they find a line down a steep mountain face choosing any route they like and performing tricks on the way.

See the photos below of the event.

Image:©Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2010/C.Margot

©Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2010 / D.Carlier

©Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2010/ D. Daher

Later this week the postponed Sochi event takes place in Chamonix and then it moves to Squaw Valley, USA, before the grand finale in Verbier where PlanetSKI will be in attendance.

For a look at a PlanetSKI video from last year in Verbier see below - it should be quite a day.

Men Ski

Women Ski

Men Snowboard

Women Snowboard

1- Candide Thovex FRA

2- Kaj Zackrisson SWE

3- Tim Dutton USA

1- Jess Mc Millan USA

2- Eva Walkner AUT

3- Janina Kuzma NZL

1- Mitch Toelderer AUT