Wednesday, July 25

Torres Wins Back-to-Back All Girl Skate Jam Events.

Press Release

Under the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge, fifteen-year old Vanessa Torres won her second All Girl Skate Jam event, the All Girl Skate Jam presented by BC Footwear. The event took place Sunday, July 22nd at New York's South Street Seaport in conjunction with the Panasonic Shockwave Core Tour. Torres' solid noseslide on the ledge and kickflip off the bank over the barricade fencing landed her $1,200 and a new Chorus Snowboard for her win in the pro division. "I just want to thank Patty Segovia because without her, there would be no All Girl Skate Jam tour," said Torres after her run. "I like coming out here to see the other girls skate and there's more and more girls coming out and getting better each time. But after my second run, I knew that was the one." Lauren Mollica, Sasha LaRochelle, Lindsi Thompson, and Carolyn Kunkel placed second through fifth respectively.

Vanessa Torres, noseslide.

In the amateur division, eleven-year old Lyn-z Adams edged out fellow competitors in one of the most closely contested heats of the day. "If it wasn't for the All Girl Skate Jam last September, I wouldn't be here today. That was the first contest I skated in and look at me today," said Adams. "I'm looking forward to the next All Girl Skate Jam event in September at the Encinitas YMCA Skatepark, my local skatepark." Adams' bomb-drop off the four-foot ledge helped Adams secure a Chorus Snowboard and some additional prizes for her win. Jill Viggiani, Alexis Schempp, and Laura Mainiero finished second through fourth respectively.

Along with all of the skateboarding action, the event included a festival complete with live music, food and sponsor booths where spectators came by to check out new products and get some freebies. In addition to presenting sponsor BC Footwear, other event sponsors included Paper Magazine, Wahine Magazine, All Girl Skate Jam Skateboards, Etnies Footwear, With It Girl, Grind King Trucks, Geometric, Sessions Clothing, and Chorus Snowboards.

Lyn-z Adams ollies the box.

"The South Street Seaport was a perfect location for people of all ages and walks of life to view these amazing skaters of all ages and abilities. This event really helped push female skateboarding to the next level," said event founder Patty Segovia. "The progression of female skating continues to increase event after event." Segovia continued, "If you thought this event was great, then stay tuned for our next stop in September where over 100 girl skaters will be present. We're excited to host the event in San Diego -- the home of the All Girl Skate Jam. I also look forward to working with the Panasonic Shockwave Core Tour once again when we end our tour at California's Santa Monica Pier September 14-16th."

The first stop of the 2001 All Girl Skate Jam tour, the Etnies All Girl Skate Jam presented by Velvet Eyewear, took place March 25th in Clearwater, Florida. First-place results were as follows: Street Pro - Vanessa Torres, Street Am - Hanna Lisk, Mini-Ramp Pro - Heidi Fitzgerald, Mini-Ramp Am - Hanna Lisk and Vert Pro - Candy Kraemer. The third stop of the 2001 All Girl Skate Jam tour will take place September 9th at the world-famous YMCA Skatepark in Encinitas, California.

Vanessa Torres kickflips into the crowd.

The concept for the original All Girl Skate Jam germinated in 1990 when Patty Segovia helped organize the first girls' skateboarding demo in Reno, Nevada. Segovia, an established female action sports photographer, was disappointed by the lack of comparable recognition and luxuries for women enjoyed by their male counterparts. After almost seven years of planning, Segovia pooled her resources from the action sports world along with her contacts among skateboarding's female pro ranks, and the first All Girl Skate Jam was born in 1997. Originally an annual event, the popularity of the contest and demand from female skaters around the world have driven the All Girl Skate Jam to become an international tour. In 2001, Segovia has branched out to attract female participants in surfing and snowboarding in order to develop the All Girl Board Jam tour. Part of the tour's proceeds will be donated to mental health charities that benefit those who suffer from mental illness and provide funding for ongoing research.