Stockholm, Sweden – February, 2017 – The Freeride World Tour (FWT) reaffirms its commitment to mountain safety by signing a partnership with RECCO Advanced Rescue Technology. From 2017 all riders in the world tour level, qualifier level and junior level, worldwide, will be equipped with RECCO reflectors besides the other mandatory rescue equipment.
By working closely with RECCO Advanced Rescue Technology, ABS Avalanche Airbag and ISTA (International Snow Training Academy) the FWT aims for the highest level of safety standards in the mountain environment. To make RECCO reflectors a mandatory equipment adds a second layer of safety, explains Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO FWT. “Safety is the number one priority for Freeride World Tour. Thanks to our partnership with RECCO Advanced Rescue Technology, all riders will be equipped with a RECCO reflector in addition to the avalanche transceiver. This gives the rescuers two electronic ways to search for avalanche victims and thus improves safety.”
Including all levels the FWT engage more than 5 000 riders at 130 events globally. To equip the riders with RECCO reflectors in addition to the avalanche transceiver is a logical step as local rescue teams have been using both methods in avalanche rescues since many years.
“The RECCO Advanced Rescue Technology is a global standard in professional avalanche rescue. With this cooperation we are proud to say that we are also a standard for the FWT,” says Johan Sauer, VP RECCO AB. “In case of an avalanche accident, it's not about how you are found, what matters is that you are found and found fast. By adding the RECCO reflector to the mandatory rescue equipment we are making sure that all riders have an additional tool, parallel to the already mandatory avalanche transceiver, for a faster rescue should something go wrong.“
For ten years the FWT has encouraged and developed responsible safety practices for athletes, competitors, spectators, and the entire freeride community.
“Together with FWT we also further our efforts to create a broader awareness about risk and safety in the mountains and about the importance of being electronically searchable to both companions and professional rescuers in the event of an avalanche,” says Johan Sauer.
This article originates from an official RECCO article
