We present to you the facts: First, there are more bars per capita in Spain than any other European city. Second, restaurants open for dinner at 10 pm and clubs don't open until one in the morning. Finally, Barcelona is located on the coast of Spain where three miles of topless beaches are always packed with Spaniards on their siesta. So you tell us... was it some kind of accident that the European X Games Qualifier was held in Barcelona?

The competition was set up in the Olympic Village right next to the five-star Arts Hotel. From the top of the vert ramp, we could see the Olympic Port night clubs, a string of unchecked debauchery that coaxed us every night to drink and dance until the sun rose. Between practice sessions, we sipped sangria on the topless beaches, toasting our good fortunes and shouting the praises of the greatest sport in the world. Prostitutes in T-backs tried to edge into our fun and we offered them tapas, toyed with them until the next event began and we had to scurry back across the sand to our masonite temple on the beach.

Not a bad view from the half pipe, eh?

This was the European qualifier where only the top European skaters were allowed to compete. That meant Samo Bajec of Slovenia and the Lallemand brothers from France. Beni Huber and Gustavo Monsalve. There was no dip in the talent pool here. The practice sessions alone brought standing ovations from the crowd. Watching this competition, it occurred to me that rollerblading is fortunate to have such an international presence. Over the years, we've developed a global network of powerful, passionate athletes. We watched with pride the way our athletes commanded the respect of the audience.

Wilfried Rossignol, who walked away from a certain qualification the week before in Rome, took first place on street by unanimous vote. His transfers and grinds brought the audience to their feet and will bring Wilfried to Philadelphia in August. Sven Boekhorst battled Albert Hooi for second place, but in the end, it was the luck of the Irish that brought Hooi the silver medal. Honorable mention, too, goes out to Beni Huber, who redefines style on street and on vert.

ASA pro rookie Dominic Beck locks onto the rail during street prelims.

Taïg Kris was indomitable on vert, finishing a full ten points above local favorite, Nel Martín. A Spanish cheering section chanted fight songs for every Spaniard that stepped up to the coping and the rest of the audience followed. Finishing fourth was Sven Boekhorst who qualified for a chance to compete vert at the X Games.

During the vert doubles competition, the Lallemand brothers showed a surprising proficiency at vert skating. French nationals, Gustavo Monsalve and Joachim Centi did a choreographed routine that was almost perfect, but in the end, it was the team of Sven Boekhorst and Nel Martín that won the contest.

Every night, the audience gathered around the vert ramp and sipped Spanish wine as Taïg Khris performed his vert stunts. There were other athletes on the ramp as well: a couple of skateboarders and a few of bike riders, but it was Taïg who grabbed the attention of the audience. As the sun dropped into the Mediterranean, Spanish cheers could be heard along the waterline as Taïg pushed his alley oop mctwists and gato spins to higher limits.

Spanish amateurs Borja Fernandez and Jose Felix skated to 3rd place in vert doubles.

There's nothing like a little travel to open your eyes to the world, to show you that you're not alone. The world of rollerblading is broad, maybe broader than most of the other 'X' sports. It's downright huge. You don't need to go far to realize that there are great rollerbladers around the world, but sometimes it's just nice to know that they're out there.

   Send to a friend  | Submit your photo or video  | Top Rated Photos