With immediate effect, the Freeride World Tour (FWT) is merging with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), which is taking over the shares of the FWT. The two organizations will work together from the 2022/23 season.
The FIS, founded in 1924, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), administers the Olympic sports of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle skiing and snowboarding and is also responsible for the international competition rules. Up to date, the FWT Management SA, a company based in Lutry/Switzerland, oversees the Freeride World Tour, a so-far independent annual world ski and snowboard circuit that travels from Japan to Canada, the Pyrenees and the Alps with the final event in Verbier. Under the same roof, the FWT Junior and FWT Qualifier series take place, with over 130 events lately and 4,000 licensed riders worldwide.
According to a FIS press release, by taking over the FWT, the federation aims to unite more disciplines of skiing and snowboarding, giving them more strength and power to develop on the world stage. Under FIS responsibility, the FWT will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the tour “while staying true to its core values of safety, performance, responsibility, inclusion and fun. The competition format, which provides a fair pathway for all athletes from grassroots to elite events, and the judging system will also remain unchanged. FIS will focus on the marketing and administration of the FWT and build a structure that follows the guidelines of recognized Olympic sports”.
“We are very excited to be working with the FIS,” said Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO of the FWT. “For our freeride athletes and event organizers, merging with the largest international winter sports federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee means better access to support, greater visibility and additional resources that will allow the FWT and all its stakeholders to grow.”
“By joining forces with the FWT, FIS will add one of the most exciting and dynamic winter sports to its portfolio,” said FIS president Johan Eliasch. “This is truly a win-win situation for all parties as FIS offers FWT great growth potential and the chance to grow on a bigger stage. The FWT brings in an extremely professional tour that offers breathtaking action and an element of skiing and snowboarding that is completely new to FIS.”
