The Swatch Freeride World Tour (FWT) by The North Face has announced the addition of two new media partners: Marker Völkl and Audi.
Find out more on the partnership, plus take a look at the upcoming contest schedule, in the press release from FTW, below:
Lausanne, Switzerland – October 30, 2013 – Organizers of the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BY THE NORTH FACE® (FWT) proudly announce the addition of two prestigious partners to FWT 2014: legendary automobile manufacturer Audi, and famed winter sports brand Marker Völkl.
Audi has long distinguished itself as one of the most important partners in the world of skiing with enduring involvement in alpine skiing across the world. Audi is a twelve-year sponsor of the Hahnenkamm race, title sponsor of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and the FIS Ski Cross World Cup, presenting sponsor of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, and sponsor of 15 national alpine ski teams. Freeride World Tour is proud to announce their new three-year sponsorship agreement with the German brand as official partner of the tour.
Florian Zitzlsperger, Head of brand partnerships and sports marketing AUDI AG, said: “The commitment in the Freeride World Tour perfectly complements our winter sports program. By presenting the Ski Cross World Cup we’ve started to address a young target group and are now logically continuing to pursue this path with the Freeride World Tour. Impressive images, exciting locations and new presentation opportunities for our brand in a fascinating environment – we look forward to the constructive partnership with the Freeride World Tour.”
Nicolas Hale-Woods, General Manager of FWT Europe, praised the new development: “Freeride World Tour’s partnership with Audi is fantastic news. Audi is simply the ideal automotive partner for any alpine event. Their product, image, and commitment to winter sports are unequaled. There’s no better fit for Freeride!”
Marker, official ski binding supplierto the FWT since 2012, returns in 2014 with the addition of Völkl. Völkl becomes one of two official suppliers for the ski category along with Scott. Marker Völkl International has always been one of the most recognized names in Freeride, and their commitment to FWT 2014 builds on that legacy. The Marker Völkl international team includes decorated FWT riders like Sam Smoothy (NZL), Charlie Lyons (NZL), Markus Eder (ITA), Nadine Wallner (AUT) and many more.
“The Freeride World Tour is a unique contest based on a great concept.The world’s elite take on the toughest challenges this sport has to offer, thrilling the fans with spectacular lines. Years ago we started campaigning for the tour with Marker, now we’re working with Völkl as well. As an equipment maker, the FWT provides us with the ideal platform for showcasing the tremendous performance of all our Freeride products — from skis and bindings to the new Marker Protective Snow Equipment. The widespread success of our riders speaks for itself,” said Bert Lammel, Marketing Manager of Marker Völkl International.
Nicolas Hale-Woods added: “The renewal of FWT’s partnership with Marker is a great sign for the freeride industry. And as good news never comes alone, we are welcoming iconic ski brand Völkl to the FWT family!”
Audi and Marker Völkl join FWT’s ongoing title sponsor SWATCH and presenting partner The North Face®. The tour is also proud to continue to work with world class hosting resorts, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, Kirkwood, and Verbier St-Bernard. Official suppliers Scott, GoPro, ABS, Primaloft, Blue Tomato, and Kask of Sweden also offer invaluable support to FWT.
Every Freeride World Tour event of 2014 features a public event village where the official partners and suppliers connect face-to-face with the general public. These event villages are the perfect place for visitors to learn more about the indispensible products and technologies that make Freeride possible and allow the best riders in the world to perform at their highest level.
For further information, please visit www.freerideworldtour.com
SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BY THE NORTH FACE® 2014 Competition Calendar
1.Swatch Freeride World Tour Revelstoke by The North Face®
Dates: Dec. 18, 2013; Location: Revelstoke, CAN
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
2.Swatch Freeride World Tour Courmayeur Mont Blanc by The North Face®
Dates: Jan. 18, 2014; Location: Courmayeur Mont Blanc, ITA
Disciplines: Men’s Ski and Snowboard
3.Swatch Freeride World Tour Chamonix-Mont-Blanc by The North Face®
Dates: Jan. 25, 2014; Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FRA
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
4. Swatch Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen by The North Face®
Dates: Feb. 1, 2014; Location: Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, AUT
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
5.Swatch Freeride World Tour Kirkwood by The North Face®
Dates: March 1, 2014; Location: Kirkwood, USA
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
6.Swatch Xtreme Verbier by The North Face®
Dates: March 22, 2014; Location: Verbier, SUI
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard
