TEEN FREERIDE SKIER CLAIMS VERBIER VICTORY AND MOVES TO WORLD NO.1 SPORT

Rising Scottish freeride skier Finn Bayley-Slater has taken a major step forward in his burgeoning career after winning the prestigious Junior 3* competition in Verbier on Sunday.

The victory marks one of the most significant results of his young career and propels him to No.1 in the global U18 Junior rankings, underlining his status as one of the most exciting prospects in junior freeride skiing.

WHAT IS A JUNIOR 3* EVENT?

In the junior freeride circuit, competitions are graded by a star system, with 3* events representing the highest level of junior competition. These events attract the top young athletes from around the world and are often held in iconic freeride locations.

Athletes compete on challenging, ungroomed mountain faces and are judged on several criteria including:

• Line choice (difficulty and creativity)

• Control and technique

• Fluidity

• Style and jumps

A 3* win is therefore considered a major benchmark, often signalling readiness to progress towards elite senior competition pathways.

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Competing against a strong international field, Bayley-Slater delivered a standout run, combining confident technical skiing with ambitious line selection on Verbier’s demanding terrain.

His performance impressed judges and secured him top spot on the podium, capping off a breakthrough weekend.

The result also carries significant ranking points, pushing the young Brit to No.1 overall in the U18 category, a remarkable achievement in a highly competitive global field.