Chamonix local wins Freeride World Tour stop at home

After the competition day was postponed due to heavy cloud and snowfall the inspection day took place on Sunday and the riders made their way to the summit on Monday. The skies had partially cleared and there were patches of sunshine though it was hardly what you'd call a "bluebird" day. However there was fresh snow on the face and the competition was given the go ahead by the organisers.

In the Mens' Ski event it was New Zealander Sam Smoothy who took the top spot with a clean fluid run that made the most of the cliff lines in the lower section. Smoothy fought off a strong feild including current world champion and Chamonix local Aurelien Ducroz who finished in 21st place. "Winning here in the home of Freeriding, it doesn't get better, it's amazing" said a stoked Smoothy afterwards.

Althought the local crowd were disapointed not to see Ducroz take the top spot on his home turf there was consolation in the Men's Snowboard event the form of Jonathan "Douds" Charlet. The Chamonix local took a less technical line than some of the others but maintained fluidity and control of his descent and gave his run some freestyle flair to boot. His efforts won him first place infront of a home crowd saying: "It's great to win at home in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. I threw a front side 360 at the top and dropped four cliffs overall. I tried to stay fast and clean and I think I achieved that."

British hopeful and Chamonix regular James Stentiford finished in seventh place ahead of current world champion Xavier de Le Rue (erratum: 2009 & 2010 champ.).

In the womens' events Jackie Passo (USA) took the gold in the ski ahead of fellow American Angel Collinson and Kiwi Janina Kuzma. The Women's snowboard was won by Maria Debari from the United States who was surprised but pleased with her result saying "I was not expecting to win at all although I did ride my chosen line."

For full results and videos of the podium runs visit the Freeride World Tour website, or you can catch the next stop in Courmayeur on the 24th-29th January.