Bombs away. The second day of B3 just concluded and, as I write this piece, fighter jets and helicopters hover above in a scene that reminds me of Full Metal Jacket. No, it's not another 'nam, just the beginning of a three week celebration leading up to the Kentucky Derby which also takes place in Louisville. If this article doesn't read all that well, it's because I really can't hear myself think and I constantly feel we're being attacked. I now know what it must be like to be a combat journalist. An F-15 fighter just flew about 20 feet away from our window and the trailer I'm in is shaking like it's an earthquake and I think my ears are bleeding from the sound. As I sit here in the trenches with my Uzi on the table and my computer draped in camouflage, I bring you the important news of B3 Louisville. KY.

Chad Fernandez bringing home the big check with sick slides like this.

First the weather, which is a terrible note to start a story on. However, it was pertinent to the course of today's event because today was another nasty, windy day and many comps were shortened or delayed. That's the bad news. The good news is it didn't prevent the Vert Bikers, probably those who are most effected by wind, from pulling off an amazing comp featuring one of the worst wipeouts I've ever seen as well as Kevin Robinson pulling off what was thought to be impossible. Check out the BMX Vert story for more details.

In the Skateboarding Park Competition, World Industries version of Slash, Chad Fernandez, rocked the course with easily the most impressive run of the day, and definitely one of the most creative for his first win in quite some time. Chapman's 16-year-old prodigy Kyle Berard continues to kick ass and pulled two solid kick flips over a 10-foot bank gap, probably the trick of the day. Chris Senn ended up with third. I don't know if the wind had something to do with it, but Senn didn't seem to be charging as hard as he usually does. He had a sick run but just didn't seem to be as fluid as usual so the Senn-dog walked away with the third this time around. Give it up for Brazillian persistance. Fabrizio Santos's fifth attempt of a huge kick-flip off an 7-foot ledge was successful, though he landed it about 15 seconds after his run was over. Steve Berra was attacking the course in practice but had trouble sticking much in competition. One of my favorite riders to watch, Berra's practice runs were very solid. Dan Pageau was sticking this sick nollie lip slide down a 15-foot ledge in practice but was not able to land it in his judged runs. Andy Mac wins the unofficial "what was that?" award for his big nosepicks and crazy-ass lines. Definetly the most interesting rider to watch. The slight revisions of the course from B3 Aneheim were not too appreciated by some of the riders, but most battled the elements and made a good time of it.

Chad Fernandez looking for something to drink out of his Troph.

The final competition of the day was Aggressive In-Line Skating Vert that once again featured the brothers Yasutoko battling out for the top; but Tag Kris of France back doored both of them and walking away with the Gold. Takeshi Yasutoko, the smallest guy out there, still amazes me. There's something about what he does that seems to defy physics. Maybe they don't have physics in Japan, or maybe their form is so advanced that they have figured out a way to cheat gravity, either way that little dude rips.

Kyle Berard getting some 2nd place love from ESPN's Jason Ellis.

Tomorrow concludes the Kentucky adventure and Thunder Over Louisville kicks off tonight, which means that I will actually be able to hear myself think, if I'm not permanently deaf from jets breaking the sound barrier overhead. Skate Vert, which had a lot of new faces during today's practice, kicks off in the afternoon and Bike Park finishes of the event tomorrow evening. The fireworks start soon and the festivities should continue all night so tune in tomorrow for some good stories.

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