High stakes action at The Remarks

Elite skiers and snowboarders took on The Remarks across two Freeride World Tour Qualifier events on the weekend.

On Saturday, 70 snowsports athletes lit up the Alta Chutes, charging the steep, exposed terrain in pursuit of podium places as well as crucial points in the North Face Frontier 4-star event.

Then on Sunday, local legends mixed it with the pros as 110 skiers and riders competed in the 2-star qualifier.

Freeriding is about making creative use of nature’s playground, with points awarded for creativity, control, and commitment. But with icy conditions and less snow than on the main runs, the challenge was to find the right balance between risk and reward.

“It was pretty icy and a bit nerve-wracking, but mostly I was excited and I wanted to have fun,” Japan’s Hana Kinoshita, who won the women's snowboard comp, says.

“I felt like I could have pushed myself a little more, but mostly I’m pretty satisfied with my run.”

The 2024 winner Jaimie Figueira (CAN) was second, followed by Sweden’s Johanna Lindqvist.

North Face athlete Vaughan Hardwick (AUS) was the standout rider in men’s snowboard, while New Zealand’s Mitchell Davern was second, with one of the most stylish runs of the day incorporating a back 3, front 3 combo, and fast, confident riding. Japan’s Temma Tamai was third.

 

In the men's skiing comp, New Zealander Luke McConnell earned redemption after crashing out in last year's comp.

“I’ve been doing lots of gym training, lots of skiing, and I was fired up, ready to go,” he says. “I made a last-minute call to go into Pipeline and it paid off, I’m so happy with my run”.

Starting with a 360 at the top of the course, McConnell headed skier’s left to hit a double drop before making his way to the Pipeline chute, risking a big air with a massive amount of exposure below it, before stomping another double to finish his run.

The judges shared the Kiwi’s enthusiasm, awarding him first place for his unique line and fast, well-controlled skiing.

Australian Coen Bennie Faull was second and Ben Leifer (USA) third, landing the biggest move of the day with an enormous double in the middle of the couloir.

Brit Harriet Lucas opened the women’s category and immediately set the bar, earning a score of 88.67 and never relinquishing the hot seat.

The only woman to hit the Pipeline chute and landing a big air out of the bottom, Lucas stood out with her solid technique and speed through the course.

NZ’s Jessie Violet, winner of the 2024 and 2023 Frontier 4-star events, finished her day in second place, while fellow Kiwi, Jess Hotter, was third.

Hotter returned the next day, Sunday, to take down the 2-star FWT Qualifier event, which had different course options.

“I’m pretty stoked with how my run went all in all. It’s hard to get through the rocks to where you want to go at the moment, but I managed to do everything I wanted to in my run so I’m happy,” she says.

Joshua Bull (USA) hit some of the biggest features on the course and nailed clean landings to finish first in the men's ski cop, while local skier Lach Powell (NZ) once again showed his mastery of the Alta Chutes to take second place, scoring well for air and style and strong technique.

Canadian Jaimie Figueira, back for her fifth edition of The North Face Frontier and no stranger to the podium, took out the win in the women’s snowboard division, while 4-star winner Vaughan Hardwick claimed victory again in the men's snowboard.

 

The North Face Frontier 4-star Freeride World Tour Qualifier results

Women’s ski
Harriet Lucas (GBR) 88.67
Jessie Violet (NZL) 85.33
Jessica Hotter (NZL) 81.00
 
Men’s ski
Luke McConnell (NZL) 86.33
Coen Bennie-Faull (AUS) 85.00
Ben Leifer (USA) 84.00
 
Men’s snowboard
Vaughan Hardwick (AUS) 97.33
Mitchell Davern (NZL) 95.00
Temma Tamai (JPN) 89.67
 
Women’s snowboard
Hana Kinoshita (JPN) 82.00
Jaimie Figueira (CAN) 75.33
Johanna Lindqvist (SWE) 71.33

 

The North Face Frontier 2-star Freeride World Tour Qualifier results

Women’s ski
Jess Hotter (NZL) 87.67
Harriet Lucas (GBR) 84.33
Carmela Olmo (ESP) 82.00

Men’s ski
Joshua Bull (USA) 97.67
Lach Powell (NZL) 95.67
Ethan McLean (NZL) 93.67

Men’s snowboard
Vaughan Hardwick (AUS)85.67
James Thompson (NZL) 83.33
Haruki Takeuchi (JPN( 78.33

Women’s snowboard
Jaimie Figueira (CAN) 80.00
Stefania Canclini (ITA) 75.67
Angelina Stratton (AUS) 73.00