Seb Michaud Wins Chamonix Freeride World Tour Qualifier

The Freeride World Tour Qualifier in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc went off this past week, and who won? None other than the legendary Seb Michaud in the mens Ski divsion. Why's that so cool? Waaaaaay back in the day, before Doglotion.com existed, the first comp any of us attended or entered was in Chamonix on Hotel Face on Brevent Mountain, just like this comp. Guess who won? Yep, Seb Michaud. Frickin' huge back flips back then. How old is that guy?

Everything was dialed in for a big show: blue bird skies, low temperatures, cold snow, a shred zone loved by the locals, Hotel Face – 400 vertical meters on a steep slope facing east – and 92 riders anxious to show what they've got!

Among the favorites anxiously awaited at the start, two Frenchmen, Aurelien Ducroz (2nd of the Freeride World Ranking 2009 in ski before this competition) and Sebastien Michaud (2nd of the Freeride World Tour 2008 in ski) as well as snowboarder Aline Bock (GER) and Ane Enderud (NOR) (1st and 2nd of the Freeride World Ranking 2009 before this competition).

 
Over 200 requests for participation flooded in for this certified Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ). A unique occasion to bring together local riders (including the world’s best like Aurelien Ducroz) yet all the top skiers and snowboarders who spend their winters in the valley to take advantage of all the Mont Blanc area has to offer, as well as all those who decided to come to this world renowned resort. This was their opportunity to compete and earn points towards the Freeride World Ranking 2009.

Makes sense reviving a big mountain competition in Chamonix, afterall, big mountarin freeride, formerly extreme Skiing, formerly steep skiing, was pretty much born and brewed in Cham.

 
In the men’s ski event, experience was definitely key. The deliberations were heated and the scores were close. Seb Michaud (FRA) went big, bold, and fluid, standing out from the rest. His line choice included some big drops and 2 of his signature backflips. He won just ahead of Aureilien Ducroz (FRA) and Phil Meier (SUI).

“I won my first freeride competition here when I was 12. To come back was important for me because this place is great. Being part of the Freeride World Tour, it is interesting for me to participate in a Qualifier for 2 reasons: to score more points on the Freeride World Ranking that could be useful at the end of the season, and to judge the upcoming riders… even if they have a few more years before they can beat me!”, explains Seb Michaud.
 
In the women's comp, the Norwegian, Ane Enderud, skied a spectacular run that could have competed with the men! She easily won ahead of Rebecka Eriksson (SWE) and Eva Walkner (AUT). Another stand out included a huge air by Stina Jakobsson (SWE), the new face on the Freeride World Tour, who unfortunately fell in the middle of her run. 

Chamonix Freeride World Tour Qualifier Results

Men Ski: Sebastien Michaud (FRA), Aurelien Ducroz (FRA), Phil Meier (SUI)
Men Snowboard: Aurelien Routens (FRA), Emilien Badoux (SUI), Julien Falco (SUI)
Women Ski: Ane Enderud (NOR), Rebecka Eriksson (SWE), Eva Walkner (AUT)
Women Snowboard: Nathalie Zenklusen (SUI), Fanny Gras (FRA), Aline Bock (GER)