We're partnering with the Freeride World Tour for the 5th consecutive year. Here's what's new in 2022...
Since it began in 2008, the Freeride World Tour has provided the ultimate global platform for the sport of freeriding. The first and only freeriding event of its kind, the FWT gives riders their one opportunity to go head-to-head with other athletes to earn their status as World Champion - a title that’s universal no matter where you’re from!
The pinnacle of the freeriding calendar, the FWT is a truly unique event, and we’re proud to announce that Winter 2022 marks our 5th year as the FWT’s Official Eyewear Partner. That’s half a decade of gnarly sends, epic cliffs, and some of the best freeriding moments ever seen. And with FWT22 just around the corner, you can bet that the stoke - and the stakes - are higher than ever. So grab your snow goggles: you won’t want to miss it...
What’s new for 2022?
Part of what makes the Tour so special is the FWT team’s progressive attitude, and their determination to continue driving the sport forward. This year, expect a totally new format, different stops, and fresh faces in the athlete mix.
New stops: The FWT22 will open at a brand new stop - Baqueira Beret, Spain. Known for its playful terrain and heavy snowfall, this Pyrenean freeride hub is the perfect place for riders to lay down some sendy skiing. Keep your eyes peeled for a well-timed backflip or three as athletes test out a brand new playground.
New format: True to form, the masterminds behind the FWT have switched up the format this year, pushing more creative riding and curating an even greater show for the fans. The ‘cut’ will now come after Stop 3 (instead of Stop 4), with the top 26 riders qualifying for the FWT Finals: Fieberbrunn, Austria, and SunGod’s home town of Verbier, Switzerland. Here, the world's best riders will battle it out to take home the title of FWT Champion. 2022 will also feature the all-new FWQ Finals for the best of the rest - along with higher scores on offer - so expect bigger sends, gnarlier tricks and crazier lines. What's more, the new format will prop the FWT door open a little wider for FWQ riders this season - keep an eye out for newcomers shaking things up!
SunGod x FWT Limited Edition Goggle
Back by popular demand, our Limited Edition Freeride World Tour goggles are available now. We’re offering a Limited Edition FWT22 Snow Goggle strap, available with all SunGod Snow Series Goggles, and a FWT22 microfibre pouch, made from 100% recycled bottles. These are limited - once they’re gone, they’re gone. Grab yours now to make sure you don’t miss out on these ski goggles and snowboard goggles!
Fresh faces on Team SunGod
We've added some fresh faces to the SunGod FWT 22 lineup this year. Here's how the SunGod team looks:
3x FWT Champion Ari Tricomi is the unrivalled queen of big mountain skiing, taking home the FWT crown in ‘18, ‘19 and ‘20. Coming back from injury in ‘21, Ari only rode 2 stops. In 2022, she's primed and ready to fight to reclaim the title - watch this space! Find out more about Ari's journey to the top of the podium here.
Max Chabloz may be a rookie on the FWT22, but he’s no stranger to taking big wins. Max became Freeride Junior World Champion in 2019, and when he’s not sending cliffs in winter, he’s shredding the waves on the GKA Kitesurfing World Tour. Max was Junior World Champion in Freestyle Kiteboarding in ‘16, ‘17 and ‘19, and now he’s ready to add to his medal haul with a coveted FWT title.
Jamesa Hampton is another fresh face on the FWT this year. James actually qualified to compete on last year's tour but was unable to due to Covid restrictions. Thankfully, the FWT organisers saw fit to throw him a wildcard to compete this year and we're excited to see James finally get to tear up this year's FWT venues!
Tiphanie Perrotin took the title of FWQ21 4* European Champion last season, taking wins in Verbier, Nendaz and Engadin to earn a spot on the FWT for 2022. We’re stoked to see her take on the best of the best this season as a FWT Rookie.
And of course, the FWT wouldn’t be complete without the legendary voice of Kiwi commentator and SunGod Ambassador Neil Williman. As always, Neil will be bringing us all the action on the ground this season, and for the first time he’ll be joined in the commentary box by fellow Kiwi and SunGod Ambassador Anna Smoothy.
