The freeski website Downdays.eu is currently voting in its annual award ceremony for European skier of the year (ESOTY 2022).
Five Norwegian skiers have been nominated for the award, which is based on competition results, film segments, posts on social media and general influence in the freeski scene.
At the time of writing, Hedvig Wessel is in second place behind Kelly Sildaru, while Birk Ruud leads ahead of Nikolai Schirmer in the men’s classification.
The Norwegian nominees, and the jury’s reasons for it ESOTY 2022
HEDVIG WESSEL (free rider):
– Hedvig Wessel came on the podium three times during the Freeride World Tour, where she got second place overall. She also co-founded Sister Summit. (New film project)
IN THE TOP: Hedvig Wessel ranks well in the selection of European skier of the year. Photo: FWT
SANDRA EIE (free skier)
Sandras Eie’s steady development is shown through competition results which include a second place at Chur Big Air, using double corks both sides.
ON THE PODIUM: Sandra Eie came on the podium in the World Cup opener. Photo: Nor Freeski
NIKOLAI SCHIRMER (Free rider)
It’s hard to tell when Nikolai finds time to sleep between the trips he goes on throughout the winter, then produces high-quality episodes and movies at breakneck speed, Nikolai is one of the most prolific skiers in the game. No wonder he’s a star on YouTube.
Schirmer won this award in 2019 together with Kelly Sildaru. That time, Hedvig Wessel came second in the women’s class.
NIKO: Nikolai Schirmer is also current with the documentary series Exposed, which airs on Altibox. Photo: Vegard Aasen / Screen Media
BIRK RUUD (Freeskier)
“BU$I Boi” was busier than ever in 2022. Total dominance in the competition scene. With five World Cup victories, plus Olympic gold in big air, Birk Ruud reigned supreme on competitive courses. Fun fact: He has won seven of the last nine competitions he has entered.
BIRK RUUD: Birk Ruud in a good mood ahead of the competition late on Friday evening. Photo: Nor Freeski
FERDINAND DAHL (Freeskier)
When he wasn’t “styling” out on the competition stage and in terrain parks around the world, he used Ferdy 2022 on growing his startup, Capeesh Supply.
SILVER TO GOLD?: Ferdinand Dahl is one of the athletes Norway is sending to the WC. He recently took silver in the X Games – which is also in Aspen. Photo: ESPN
