Snow Australia announces team for Freeride World Champs

Snow Australia has today named six athletes to represent the country at the 2026 YETI FIS Freeride Junior World Championships Kappl and the FIS Freeride World Championships in Andorra. 

Harry Rowden (Ski) and Gabe Hardwick (Snowboard) will represent Australia in the Junior World Championships in Kappl, Austria on Jan 17-23. 

Hardwick, 15, said he was excited by the opportunity. 

“I’m feeling nervous but excited to compete as I am one of the youngest competitors,” Hardwick said. 

“The face that the competition will be held on is a very technical and steep face, so to land a complete run I would be super stoked.

“A goal would be to complete a competitive run that I am happy with, and score well enough to be at the top of the field.”

Australia has named four athletes to travel to the FIS Freeride World Championships in Andorra including Michaela Davis-Meehan (Snowboard), Zanna Farrell (Ski), Briony Johnson (Snowboard) and Vaughn Hardwick (Snowboard Men).

Mona Vale’s Hardwick is ready for the challenge of taking on the world’s best at the Championships on February 1-6.  

“I’m feeling strong and confident in my snowboarding,” Hardwick said. 

“I’m excited and a little nervous to go up against the biggest riders in the sport, but overall stoked to have the opportunity to compete in this event.

“I competed at this resort a few years back when I was a junior, however the specific face is unknown yet.

“A goal would be to stomp a run that I feel happy with and to hopefully have a good placing.”

2026 YETI FIS Freeride Junior World Championships Kappl

Harry Rowden: Ski Men
Gabe Hardwick: Snowboard Men

FIS Freeride World Champs 

Michaela Davis-Meehan: Snowboard Women 

Briony Johnson: Snowboard Women

Zanna Farrell: Ski Women 

Vaughn Hardwick: Snowboard Men