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Neck ‘n Neck ‘n Neck ‘n Neck in ... Birmingham!
Skateboarding Vert Finals Recap
By Eric Kirkwoood
The first thing to know about a contest like this one is that it’s a judge’s dream . . . as well as nightmare! Every competitor knows what is needed to beat out the last guy and every so often they do what is needed. This was one such situation. The skateboarding that went down in the arena today was truly a testament to passion, skill and determination.
Renton Miller (one stylish Aussie) started the ball rolling when his run came up with a gigantic roll-in-assisted six-foot-plus backside ollie, which he traveled smoothly across the ramp. Renton also threw down some really obscure tricks including a no-grab kickflip and a mind-blowing 360-ollie pivot grind.
Terence Bougdour was intent on being in the top end and proved it when he committed to a 720 that was probably impossible to land. The result was a near major digger that ended his second run early and raised a question as to whether he would be back in for his third run. Not only did Terence come back, but the mighty mouse of an athlete landed the 720 as well as backside and mute 540s and a rodeo 540, frontside 360 etc., etc., etc. All said, some great riding by Mr. Bougdour.
Mathias Ringstrom is probably a male model in some Scandinavian country, but also he happens to rip on a vert ramp! Mathias pulled a plethora out of the bag with various grabs and flips including half and full-cab heelflips, an impossible lien grab and a fakie 540 tailgrab. Sweet job and nice hair.
Danny Mayer admittedly skated a little “sketchy”, although still plenty impressive to the appreciative crowd. Danny rocked his patented kickflip indy to kickflip mute grab followed by a mute 540. He added a varial flip mute grab to show that his “sketchy” is most peoples’ “dialed.”
Jake Brown was another ripper who decided to start his runs from the big roll-in. Although Jake was only able to complete one run in its entirety, his tear-coaxingly beautiful tail grab 540s straight off the roll-in were enough to prove his ability. Jake also stuck various 540s and a double flip mute for good measure to the tunes of hard rockin’ fellow Australians, AC/DC . . . Oi!
You have to see Juergen Horrwarth skateboard to understand what I mean when I say that he is SMOOTH! His style and amplitude are matched by his technical ability and he is always a pleasure to witness. Juergen glided through a great run complete with 540s, liptricks, airs and the lot.
Tas Pappas once again spun furiously through his run (the man is a monster!). . . and since he didn’t flip his board this contest I will shorthand his run as follows: 5-5-7-5-fakie5!
Anthony Furlong really was the definition of desire as he proceeded to do what was necessary to beat out the competition. Mr. Furlong had a real feat to accomplish as he dropped in for his final run. After being bumped from his first run lead, Anthony Furlong nailed a repeat of his first run with the addition of a tailgrab 540. Here is the full run: Varial flip mute grab, varial air, boned out frontside, kickflip indy, tail grab, kickflip mute, tailgrab 540, Madonna, stalefish air, lien air, backside air, tailgrab backside 360, cab backside grab, melon to fakie, fakie 540 . . . Sick business even on paper.
Thanks to all the athletes who competed – next stop BERLIN!!
»»View the official results from this contest
