The First Freeride World Tour Stop Started In Sochi

Sochi takes its first examinations before 2014 Winter Olympic Games. On January 22, 2010 at the main Russia’s ski resort the first stop of prestigious international alpine ski Freeride World Tour competition started. The official sponsor of this event is well known automaker Nissan.

On the eve of the competition’s launch the weather in Sochi seemed far from being optimal. Low clouds which covered the competitions site dropped snow to the slopes, while in the city it had been raining. However, this morning the fresh layer of snow came in handy for the event’s participants.

Many of the world’s top skiers and snowboarders have arrived in Sochi to test their skills. Among the athletes who are intended to fight for the title of the world's best freerider there are two front-runners of the coming competitions – Frenchmen Xavier de la Rue and Aurelien Ducroz.

Sochi is the first of the four ski resorts that are to host Freeride World Tour stops. The next stops will take place in French Chamonix, Swiss Verbier and the US ski resort Squaw Valley. The next stop will occur in Chamonix on January, 30.

As it has been mentioned above, there are two French athletes among the most likely winners. Number of experts reckon that Aurelien Ducroz (who won Freeride World Tour last year) has all the chances to become this season's winner. This year he seems to be in top form.

His main rivals are his compatriot Xavier de la Rue, Sverre Liliequist from Norway, Kaj Zackrisson from Sweden and female freeriders Ane Enderud and Susan Mol. All of the above mentioned athletes participated in the last year’s competition. Besides, the legendary French freerider Candide Thovex who has been recovering after the serious injury will make a public appearance in Sochi.