All Freeride World Tour athletes will be equipped with RECCO technology during the 2018/2019 season.
Since 2017, RECCO has worked closely with the Freeride World Tour (FWT) to ensure that all riders are equipped with RECCO reflectors while competing on the international freeride competition circuit. RECCO technology is designed to assist in rescue efforts in the event of an avalanche during the ski and snowboard competitions, which take place in high alpine environments across Europe, the Americas, and Japan.
The partnership is based on FWTs position to take on responsibility for the sport and take safety as important part of the sport itself and keep improving it hand in hand with the evolution of the sport. Thanks to this partnership, RECCO and the FWT have equipped more than 10,000 skiers and snowboarders to date.
In addition to the FWT events, athletes participating in the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) and Freeride Junior Tour (FJT) are required to be equipped with a RECCO reflector in order to participate in competitions. In total, more than 5000 riders will hit the slopes with RECCO technology during freeride competitions in the 2018/2019 season.
“Since our first events in 1996, safety is priority No1 for Freeride World Tour (FWT). Our partnership with RECCO gives our mountain-guides teams additional chances to rescue a buried rider or staff. It is also a mission for FWT to communicate and educate on the safety topic, and our partnership with RECCO is simply perfect in this sense.” says Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO at Freeride World Tour.
“Committed to improving safety and searchability in mountain environments, the FWT was an obvious partner because of their goals in maximizing safety for all competitors. With a holistic approach to mountain safety, RECCO and the FWT have worked closely with athletes and participants to develop mountain safety education. RECCO and the FWT promote a comprehensive approach to snow safety which includes avoidance and safe decisionmaking as well as preparedness in the event of an accident.” says Fredrik Steinwall, CEO at RECCO.
RECCO equipment is designed to improve searchability and survival by complementing a standard snow safety kit which includes a transceiver (ARVA), shovel, probe, partner, and proper safety knowledge. Working closely with the FWT, RECCO aims to constantly improve mountain safety for all participants.
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com
