Battle for title: Janette vs.Eva, Sweden vs. Austria

Janette Hargin, from Sweden, has an extensive background in Alpine skiing inlcuding 2 Winter Olympic Games and 3 FIS World Championships. What she has to say about skiing:

"Skiing is what I love most of all. I like it in all different ways. Training and racing in between gates in an icy slope, fresh powder on a big mountain, having fun and jumping around in a fun park, free skiing in a slope or just hanging around with a lot of friends.
It all makes a lot of fun in a different way, to be out in the fresh air and make the most out of the nature, the material and the body. For me this is the perfect feeling."

She recently left the Alpine racing world to concentrate on freeriding and her studies to become a personal trainer. No doubt her smile and pep would get anyone moving on the treadmill!

Eva Walkner, from Austria, is also a former racer from the World Cup circuit who has made the transition to freeride and sports journalism.

"The first time I stood on a pair of skis was when I was three years old, and I won my first race a year later.  I was usually racing against (and beating) the boys in my age-group and easily qualified for the Austrian National Team.  At 18, I raced for the first time on the World Cup, and completed the whole World Cup season as an ‘OSV-A Kader’ (Austrian Ski Federation National  A-Team).  Nagging injuries ended my racing career at 23, so four years ago I set my focus on freeriding and have been charging in the backcountry ever since."

They both might be fierce on the slopes, but their beaming smiles and laughing demeanors make it hard to believe that they will fight it out at the next stage in Squaw Valley...

And don't forget about Ane Enderud (NOR), the reigning Freeride World Champion, and Jess McMillan (USA) who have both already won one event! This season is full of suspense for the ladies!