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.

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.

Men Ski

1-Matthias Haunholder AUT
2- Thomas Diet FRA
3-Henrik Windstedt SWE

Women Ski

1- Caroline Meynet FRA
2-Marja Persson SWE
3-Elyse Saugstad USA

Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyoCCIAMq-s

In the men’s ski competition, the young Austrian Matthias Haunholder also took his first victory on the Freeride World Tour after having had an impressive season at the qualifier level in 2008. This skier from Fieberbrunn won by a landslide ahead of Thomas Diet (FRA), who also achieved his career best result. From Val Thorens, Thomas finally revealed his talent climbing his first podium just ahead of the Freeride World Champion 2008, Henrik Windstedt (SWE). The favorite, Aurelien Ducroz, current leader of the Freeride World Ranking, unfortunately fell after a perfect start.

Matthias Haunholder (AUT)winner of the Nissan Freeride de Tignes:
“I spent a lot of time looking at the Grand Balme face, even until late last night. I knew I had to be brave to make the difference on this slope. I took a line with a landing in a steep spot, like the snowboarder Xavier de Le Rue. I was able to master the consecutive turns and jumps. I made it to the Freeride World Tour after having won a qualifier in 2008. The first stages of the Freeride World Tour gave me the confidence that allowed me to win in Tignes.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EklhZg2n7LE
Nissan Riders Award-best line ski Men

Caroline Meynet (FRA) winner of the Nissan Freeride de Tignes:
“This victory is simply incredible and a surprise! This is my third competition of the season; and I already climbed the podium at the Nissan Xtreme de Verbier in 2007, but I have never won. I took an unusual line that no other woman attempted. I think it was just my day!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxJ6oJy3AWQ
Nissan Riders Award-best line ski Women

All this has altered the overall standings in the event, and the top three in each category are now as follows:

Ski Men:
1.AURELIEN DUCROZ (FRA)
2.MATHIAS HAUNHOLDER (AUT)
3.HENRIK WINSTEDT (SWE)

Ski Women:
1.MARJA PERSSON (SWE)
2.CAROLINE MEYNET (FRA)
3.ELYSE SAUGSTAD (USA)

Photo: C.Margot, words and photos courtesy World Freeride Tour