2009 Freeride World Tour: Nissan Freeride de Tignes Results
European Victory on the Grand Balme
France - The Nissan Freeride de Tignes, the third stage of the Freeride World Tour, took place on the impressive Grand Balme face, left untouched for this competition. After patiently awaiting the best conditions for the competition, the organizers and those from the Tignes resort provided an amazing playground for the world’s elite to reveal their talent. Following the Nissan Freeride de Tignes, the announcement was made for those qualified for the grand finale of the Freeride World Tour March 21st, the mythical Nissan Xtreme de Verbier.
French domination with Xavier de Le Rue
The French snowboarder, Xavier de Le Rue, took his first victory of the season reinforcing his top spot of the Freeride World Ranking. Among the first to head down the slope, the Freeride World Champion 2008 had an exceptional run recognized by the judges and spectators gathered at the foot of the magnificent Grand Balme face. The Austrian Max Zipser took second with a well-thought run after several podiums in Freeride World Qualifier events. Alex Coudray also impressed the media and spectators, thus was given the Media Judges Award.
In the women’s snowboard competition, Geraldine Fasnacht (SUI), winner of the Nissan Xtreme de Verbier several times, made her comeback with a great victory. Granted a Wild Card after a knee injury in 2008, this snowboarder from Verbier chose the perfect line. She won ahead of Susan Mol (USA), winner of the Nissan Tram Face that took place just a few days ago in Squaw Valley USA.
Geraldine Fasnacht (Switzerland), winner of the Nissan Freeride de Tignes:
“The competition in Tignes was a chance for me to get ready for Verbier. I really enjoyed riding the Grand Balme. It was pretty stressful from me coming back to competition after my knee injury, but we got lots of good information from the organizers. This allowed me to define my line and have a good time. I can’t wait to get to Verbier next week. The face got a lot of snow in the past few days, so I think the upcoming competition will be awesome!”
Results (Rank Bib Name First Name Nationality):
Men
1 18 De Le Rue Xavier Fra
2 26 Zipser Max Aut
3 32 Coudray Alex Sui
4 10 Themel Eric Aut
5 28 Klassen Steve Usa
6 2 Khryachkov Gennady Rus
7 14 Regensburger Daniel Aut
8 4 Toelderer Mitch Aut
9 16 Bullet Raphaël Sui
9 20 Emery Jonas Sui
11 30 Magnusson David Nor
Women
1 45 Fasnacht Geraldine Sui
2 57 Mol Susan Usa
3 47 Karvinen Anniina Fin
4 58 Pekarek Bibi Aut
5 49 Kuzma Maria Nzl
6 51 Bock Aline Ger
7 43 Yates Shannan Usa
8 41 Härkönen Kaisa Fin
9 53 Hagen Charlotte Nor
10 55 Zenklusen Nathalie Sui
The top eight men and three women of the Freeride World Ranking after the Nissan Freeride de Tignes are qualified for the Nissan Xtreme de Verbier.