Meet The IFSA Region 2 Freeride World Tour 2021 Rookies
Thanks to their 2019-2020 Freeride World Qualifier Results, these six IFSA Freeriders earned a coveted spot on the 2021 Freeride World Tour.
Despite the abrupt termination of the 2019-2020 Freeride season due to the COVID-19 viral pandemic, IFSA in Region 2 was still able to complete four of our six FWQ 4* competitions. The events across Canada and the US were filled with athletes from every corner of the globe, brought together by their love of Freeride their drive to test their mettle amongst the best skiers and snowboarders in the world.
IFSA FWQ 4* events are stacked with the most experienced and skilled Freeriders on the competition scene, all of whom are clamoring for one of six qualifying spots to the most prestigious Freeride circuit, the Freeride World Tour. Earning a place on the tour requires gumption, technical expertise, bravery, intelligent decision making, athleticism, fortitude, and hot doggery. Any one of the FWQ 4* competitors may have these characteristics, but it becomes a question of who can display them during the pressure of event day. While the competition is fierce, whoever comes out on top has the entire Freeride community at their back, cheering them on as they take their skills to the world stage. These things are true for every qualified rider, and this year is no different. Please help us extend a warm welcome to the 2020-2021 Freeride World Tour Region 2 rookie qualifiers.
Katie Anderson - Female Snowboarder - Canada
How was the FWQ season for you this year?
"This season on the FWQ I had a blast riding with everyone, and despite some challenging conditions everyone threw down! I was on the podium with some really rad ladies at each FWQ event that I attended, which was one of my goals for this year!"
What are you up to this summer preparing for FWT? Any exciting projects planned?
"This summer I will mostly be working, and ideally skateboarding, biking, and camping as much as I can. I am going to school in the fall for Kinesiology, but hopefully can get some early season boarding in as well."
Anyone you look up to or inspires you? Anyone you look forward to competing with on FWT?
"I am truly inspired by all of the ladies on the FWT! I look forward to competing with everyone next season. I'm from Jaffray, B.C. and my home mountain is Fernie Alpine Resort. I've been snowboarding since I was 6 years old and I formerly competed on the World Cup for Snowboard Cross before making the switch to Freeride comps— because I like riding pow with my pals!"
Follow Katie on Instagram: @ktand
Cooper Bathgate - Male Skier - Canada
How was the FWQ season for you this year?
"The season was great even though shortened, started off with a week of skiing pow in Revelstoke before the FWQ 4* event, and it really took the edge off and reminded me why I love skiing so much. Then I spent the rest of the season chasing the 4 stars and ended up coming away with some good results! Things really seemed to click for me this season."
What are you up to this summer preparing for FWT? Any exciting projects planned?
"I'm planning on laying low while this virus runs its course, and then hopefully bag some glacier skiing at home in Whistler. At the end of August I'd like to head down and take part in the FWQ Frontier 4* event at the Remarkables in New Zealand to prepare for the Northern hemisphere season with my brother Jackson."
Anyone you look up to or inspires you? Anyone you look forward to competing with on FWT?
"Hands down I get the most inspired by my twin brother Jackson. Without Jackson pushing me every single day there is no chance I would be where I am. As far as people I'm looking forward to competing with, I'm looking forward to being back on tour with Andrew Pollard, Tom Peiffer, Kevbot, and the crew from North America that has come up through the IFSA Junior & FWQ circuit. Excited to shred with the Kiwi boys who I know quite well, and just really everyone. A tour filled with friends and idols, it doesn't get much better!"
Follow Cooper on Instagram: @cooperbathgate
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Michael Mawn - Snowboarder - USA
How was the FWQ season for you this year?
"The FWQ season was incredible! It was my first year committing to a full season of FWQ events and I loved traveling with the Freeride family from B.C. down to Taos in New Mexico. I focused on taking my riding to the next level and I was able to do just that on some great venues. My favorite line of the season was my competition run at Kicking Horse. I had a high-speed double in hero snow… I was hollering the whole way down that run."
What are you up to this summer preparing for FWT? Any exciting projects planned?
"Spring/early summer is couloir season in Montana! Although the snow is rough in the summer, it is still fun to throw on some crampons, boot-pack up couloirs, and get some steep turns in. I’m taking summer classes to make up for the time I’ll take off next winter, but I’ll be hitting the gym to build strength for those longer FWT venues. Other than that, most of my free time in the summer will be spent climbing mountains!"
Anyone you look up to or inspires you? Anyone you look forward to competing with on FWT?
"I definitely look up to Xavier and Victor de Le Rue, so I’m looking forward to riding with Victor on the FWT next year. I grew up watching Gigi’s film parts and they inspired me to go ride freeride terrain with a surfy style; it will be awesome to ride with him next year. Honestly, I look up to all of the riders on the FWQ and FWT. People like Brian Stenerson and Warren Doyle push me to ride to my potential. I’m excited to ride with everyone on the FWT and I know they will help push my riding."
Follow Michael on Instagram: @michael_mawn
Raymond McDermott - Male Skier - USA
How was the FWQ season for you this year?
"I couldn't be more excited to be competing on the Tour next year. The FWQ season was an interesting one this year. I had a great time travelling around competing, and finally felt like I found consistency in my skiing. I was surprised to win in Kicking Horse, it just happened to be my day I guess. I'm going to miss all the FWQ friends next year, but this is the goal, right?"
What are you up to this summer preparing for FWT?
"I am going to be doing some summer classes at CU Boulder trying to finish up my degree in Architectural Engineering. I will also be working at CERES Greenhouse Solutions, an energy efficient and sustainability focused greenhouse designer based in Boulder, CO."
Anyone you look up to or inspires you? Anyone you look forward to competing with on FWT?
"As far as fun outside activities go, I love climbing and mountain biking and will be doing that as much as I can. I also love spending time in the gym getting stronger and fitter for all the activities that I love doing (including skiing). I look up to everybody on the Tour. I have a lot of respect for anyone who drops into the face on comp day. I'm incredibly excited to compete against everyone and learn from others throughout the season!"
Follow Ray on Instagram: @raymundodelmar
Follow Ray on Vimeo: @raymcdermott
Tracy Chubb - Female Skier - USA
How was the FWQ season for you this year?
"My season was short and sweet, I learned a lot and accomplished a goal I’ve been after since last season. I was excited to compete again after coming so close to qualifying last year, but I wasn’t feeling nearly as strong as the year before after being back in school. I took a five-month intensive massage program so that I could get my license and jump back into competing this season. I had some great experiences that taught me a lot, and one gnarly crash that luckily, I walked away from mostly unscathed. The best part of the season was reconnecting with friends and flying around the mountain with a bunch of sendy ladies. While happy to attain my goal, and also feeling some relief to not be on the road, I wish we could have had the last two events to close out the season. Thanks to everyone who made it great."
What are you up to this summer preparing for FWT?
"I have always loved watching Ari Tricomi ski. She really embodies fun, and that’s what skiing is all about. I look forward to shredding with her and getting to ride with all the ladies I’ve competed with the last two seasons. I’m excited to ride with Jess, Emma, and Jacqueline again, they are all ripping ladies and I’m stoked to have made it to where I can shred alongside them."
Anyone you look up to or inspires you? Anyone you look forward to competing with on FWT?
"Ideally, this summer will be like most, where I get to continue to ski through July. I love summer skiing, all the big steep lines have corned up, you can ski until sunset, and then go camp. I’ll be spending my time in the woods and mountains, on the river, and working. I’m a metalsmith by trade, and a licensed massage therapist. I hope to do more backpacking and I love mountain biking too, but it usually isn’t until July that my ski obsessed brain wants to switch over. I’m excited for gardening and watching the plants grow. Preparing for the upcoming season means more play to get strong, and 1 million squats before January."
Follow Tracy on Instagram: @chubbiesssss
Ross Tester - Male Skier - USA
How was the FWQ season for you this year?
"The FWQ season was a hoot per usual, it's always a fun time with all the shredders that compete in them. It was a bummer to have the season cut short, it would have been interesting to see how rankings and everything would have turned out. Either way, I'm stoked to be on the tour after dreaming about it for most of my life. A few friends and I started a club at University of Utah where we go to school to hopefully increase participation and bring awareness to the sport. We had a fun season and accomplished our goals but are stoked to keep growing in the coming seasons."
What are you up to this summer preparing for FWT?
"This summer I'll be working, going to school and training every day to prepare for the FWT. A Woodward training facility was put in 20 minutes from my house in Salt Lake City so I'll more than likely be spending a lot of time on the trampolines and roller skis getting my air awareness ready there. I also really like mountain biking as cross-training and want to get back into racing this summer. I've set a goal to run a marathon by the fall."
Anyone you look up to or inspires you? Anyone you look forward to competing with on FWT?
"I'm inspired by pretty much all the riders on the tour and respect and appreciate all the different views people have of the mountain. I always love to watch riders including, but not limited to, Sam Smoothy, Candide Thovex, Markus Eder, Reine Barkered, Drew Tabke, Hank Bilous, Craig Murray, and Isaac Freeland. It's going to be crazy to compete against some of them. I'm also stoked to compete with my buddies from The IFSA Junior Tour and the FWQ Tour back in the United States and Canada. A lot of us have known each other for a long time and its sick to see them make it to this level and share this experience."
Follow Ross on Instagram: @bosssrosss
