A perfect ending for the Freeride World Tour

Freeride World Tour

March 15 2008 – The 13th edition of the Xtreme in Verbier was held Saturday on the west face of Mont Gelé in the heart of Verbier ski resort. The world’s 37 best freeride skiers and snowboarders showcased their talents and abilities with powerful, fast, fluid and spectacular lines down this challenging mountain. With the Nissan O’Neill Xtreme Verbier being the fifth and final stop on the Freeride World Tour, the four World Champions were crowned this afternoon following the contest.


Jess McMillan, Elyse Saugstad, Marja Persson

After skiing strong all year and winning several stops, Elyse Saugstad (SCOTT Teamrider) finished the tour on top. She won the Verbier event and secured her spot on top of the podium for the overall title. Fellow team rider Jess McMillan (SCOTT Teamrider) joined Elyse on the podium in Verbier with a second place, and took home second in the overall as well. Congratulations to the ladies on a great tour.


Elyse Saugstad

Henrik Windstedt has had an amazing start to his international freeride career with two wins and one second place in five Freeride World Tour events. With these impressive results, the 24 year-old Swede earned the 2008 Freeride World Champion title in the skiing category, even though he fell during his spectacular run today. 

Throughout the season, the skiers have competed at an amazing level and the fight for the top spot has been close. Two French skiers, Seb Michaud (SCOTT Int. Teamrider) and Aurélien Ducroz, have been dominating the tour with three podium places each, including one win for the veteran Michaud, who finishes as co-World Champion. Aurélien Ducroz finished as the third best freerider in the world.

Swiss snowboarder Cyril Neri (SCOTT Int. Teamrider) chose a different line than the rest of the field, one with fewer tracks, and it paid off. Cyril was all smiles as he earned his first victory of the Freeride World Tour today. “I won the Xtreme ten years ago (and in 2006), and now I am back!”

Cyril Neri
Cyril Neri

  Local Swiss rider Ruth Leisibach is one of the most aggressive female riders on the planet, which she proved by winning the Xtreme for the fifth time, also earning the World Champion title. After a back injury at the beginning of the season she has had an amazing recovery.
Verbier Xtreme Results

Skiing - Men
1. ZACKRISSON Kaj – SWE
2. TABKE Drew – USA
3. TOWNSEND Cody – USA
7. MICHAUD Seb - FRA (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
8. MEIER Phil – SUI (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
12. VASIUK Estanislao – ARG (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
15. SOSA Oscar – ARG (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)

Skiing - Women
1. SAUGSTAD Elyse - USA (SCOTT Teamrider)
2. MC MILLAN Jesse - USA (SCOTT Teamrider)
3. PERSSON Marja – SWE

Snowboarding - Men
1. NERI Cyril – SUI (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
2. COUDRAY Alex - SUI
3. MAGNUSSON David – NOR

Snowboarding - Women
1. LEISIBACH Ruth - SUI
2. MOROC Bérengère – FRA
3. ZENKLUSEN Nathalie – SUI


Freeride World Tour 2008 Overall Standings

Skiing - Men
1. WINDSTEDT Henrik – SWE
2. MICHAUD Seb – FRA (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
3. DUCROZ Aurélien
8. VASIUK Estanislao (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
14. SOSA Oscar – ARG (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)
20. MEIER Phil – SUI (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)

Skiing - Women
1. SAUGSTAD Elyse – USA
2. MC MILLAN Jesse – USA
3. PERSSON Marja

Snowboarding - Men
1. DE LE RUE Xavier – FRA
2. COUDRAY Alex – SUI
3. ORLEY Flo – AUT
4. NERI Cyril – SUI (SCOTT Int. Teamrider)

Snowboarding - Women
1. LEISIBACH Ruth - SUI
2. MOROC Bérengère - FRA
3. ZENKLUSEN Nathalie - SUI

More information: Freeride World Tour 2008