An FWQ First: La Parva Results Are In!
The first ever IFSA FWQ 2* event went down last weekend at La Parva Ski Area in Chile.
The Samuels Brothers double down again! The first Freeride World Qualifying (FWQ) event of the year in the Andes (and the 2nd of the 2019 FWQ season in Region 2) was hosted by Chilean ski area La Parva over the weekend. The Samuels Brothers, out of Montana, made a big statement by winning both the Men Ski and Men Snowboard categories.
La Parva sits high in the Andes above Santiago (you can see the skyscrapers from the ski area), but is a world away from the urban pulse of Chile’s biggest city. Here, on the edge of the Andes, the snow is cold and the air crisp and clear. The mountain – featuring open rolling terrain punctuated by hike-to steep, cliff studded terrain above the lifts – was hosting the first FWQ event of the season for the Andes and the first FWQ event in the history of the ski area.
Foto courtesy of @elsuizophotography and Freeride Chile.
The competition was held on the “Triangle” venue. With a steep, hike-to zone opening, followed by a bowl with a variety of cliffs and rocks. The selected venue was ideal for a FWQ 2* level competition: challenging but friendly enough for first time competitors to have fun and get up to speed.
Holden Samuels took the top spot in the Snowboard Men category with a fast fluid line featuring a big backflip. The flip was enough to put him ahead of Argentina’s Tomas Castelli, with Swiss rider Walter Brughelli rounding out the internationally diverse podium.
In the Ski Men category, it was Holden's older brother, Chase who earned the win, edging out Chilean athletes Santiago Aparicio (2nd) and Matias Doherty (3rd) for the victory.
The international flavor of the event, which attracted athletes from eight different countries including Spain. Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, and Australia along with Chile and Argentina, was also reflected in the women's results.
Austria’s Bettina Pickl ended up with the win for the Women Snowboarders, ahead of Chile’s Macarena Bravo, while Spanish rider Maria Soares completed the podium
For the skiers, it was Austria’s Birgit Ertl with the win while Argentine skier Dana Toso finished in second. Chilean athlete Sofia Clement rounded out the podium.With the party in full swing, it was hard to look forward to tomorrow or even the next week, but after the music ended in Farellones, it’s worth remembering that the fun and flavor of the South American Series must go on to Chapelco.
For full results, please visit the Freeride World Tour website: CLICK HERE
The next stop on the tour is a 23-26 of August date at Chapelco for a 3* competition on the mountain’s epic “Back Bowl” venue. In 2017, this face saw amazing conditions and riding after weather delays stretched the event organizers to the limit. Stay tuned for more, and be sure to follow @freeridechile on Instagram for current updates and competition highlights.
