Fernie freerider Katie Anderson finished second in the 25th edition of the Xtreme Verbier in snowboarding March 23.

In her rookie year on the Freeride World Tour 2021, Anderson was the only Canadian to qualify to compete in the final event in Switzerland.

Freeride World Tour noted on its website the event featured one of the strongest rosters in Xtreme Verbier history.

“Due to snow conditions, athletes in all categories started at 3,020m (instead of 3,300m), but that certainly didn’t stop them lighting up the lookers-right of the Bec des Rosses – leaving judges and viewers in awe and wanting more. With 15,000 points up for grabs for first place (instead of 10,000 with the other stops), athletes were under even more pressure to perform for the honour of lifting the FWT trophy,” Freeride World Tour stated.

In Anderson’s event, France’s Marion Haerty took first place, completing an astonishing perfect season in FWT21 – the first athlete ever to do so – taking a win at every event. She put down a fluid run with three solid airs taken with her characteristic confidence.

Katie Anderson produced an express line for her first time on the Bec, with a couple of drops and a method grab to lock in second place.

Erika Vikander (USA – third place) showed off some technical riding in the steeps and completed a fluid run top-to-bottom.

Freeriding is a style of snowboarding or skiing performed on natural, un-groomed terrain, without a set course, goals or rules.

Lead image: Fernie’s Katie Anderson. Freeride World Tour photo

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