Powder dreams come true – Red Bull Linecatcher

Last week saw the world’s best freeriders do battle in perfect conditions at the Cirque de Fond Blanc des Arcs during a truly unforgettable fifth edition of Red Bull Linecatcher. Under deep blue skies, it was Frenchman Sam Favret from Chamonix who impressed the judges the most to grab first place. Click here to check out the full gallery of action.

LES ARCS (France) – There are good skiing days, there are great skiing days – and then there are days like Wednesday 16 January 2013 in Les Arcs. After days of heavy snowfall and thick fog, the international freeride elite awoke on Wednesday morning to discover clear blue skies and deep, deep powder as far as the eye could see. The stage was set for a Red Bull Linecatcher that will live long in the memory of all of those lucky enough to be part of it.

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Sam Favret secured top spot on the podium with three astounding descents, perfectly mixing a creative choice of line with balls-out freeride commitment and sick freestyle tricks, including a Switch Cork 540 and a Left Cork 720 on the tricky upper section, before drawing big curves in the deep powder field at the bottom of the course as he headed towards the finish line. “I’m so stoked,” commented Favret, who like many other competitors simply couldn’t stop smiling after arriving in the finish area. “Everyone rode well today and the vibes were great. It is such a brilliant result and a good omen for the rest of the season.”

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Second place went to Parker White, a young American prodigy from Vermont, who won over the judges by stomping two very technical tricks on his first descent, a Butter 720 and a Cork 7. Swiss rider Nicolas Vuignier – the only one of three prizewinners to have participated in Red Bull Linecatcher before – was stoked to take third spot after nailing a Cork 7 and a huge 360 on his high-speed run.

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As the contest drew to a close, both riders and organisers alike agreed that perfect snow, bluebird conditions and sick riding had made the 2013 edition of Red Bull Linecatcher the best ever. Bring on Red Bull Linecatcher 2014!

To check out the full gallery of images form the event visit: www.redbull.co.uk