Organizer: World Cup Skateboarding

Park:
Park: 20 competitors on a course that's every skateboarder's dream. It's filled with such street obstacles as jersey barriers, handrails, and stairs for street oriented skaters. Big transitions round out the course and provide a place for ramp-oriented skaters to play around on. Design and construction is managed by VPI industries, a company on the cutting edge of skatepark design. Formerly known as street, this discipline has been in the X Games since it's inception in Providence, RI in 1995. The skaters are judged on creativity, amplitude, and the ability to use the entire course.

---

Vert:
Consisting of 20 competitors in an event that has become a cornerstone of X Games competition and the sport of skateboarding itself. It's a matter of man against monster, a competition where only two elements are present; the skater and a 14ft tall halfpipe constructed of wood, screws, and skatelite. Skaters have 45 seconds to put together a run that's not only judged on amplitude out of the pipe but also by what kind of technical tricks the skater can put together on and above the coping "lip" of the pipe. One may notice that vert skaters in general are a few years older than their street companions. The age difference is largely due to the years of practice and discipline required to command the vert ramp.

Tony Hawk, a man who has recently become synonymous with skateboarding has retired from skateboarding and has traded in his board for a microphone to become an ESPN announcer. Be on the look out for Bob Burnquist "the master of switch skateboarding", Andy Macdonald, and last year's champion Bucky Lasek (who Tony will label as number 1).

---

Vert Best Trick:
Sometimes, in order to pull off a new trick it takes days, maybe weeks of practice (It took Tony Hawk 10 years to finally complete a 900 spin in the 1999 best trick competition). Consistency comes with time and practice. Best trick is an open jam format enabling skaters to try the hardest and most spectacular tricks they know, without being penalized for not "sticking" a landing. Once a skater pulls his trick he has the opportunity of taking a seat or trying an even harder one.

---

Vert Doubles:
Vert doubles has long been an informal phenomenon in the skateboarding world. Two friends in a half pipe or a swimming pool grinding in unison and airing over one another. To the delight of skate fans around the world, Vert doubles was introduced to the X Games in 1998. Skaters pick their own partners and many work on their routines months in advance.

   Send to a friend  | Most sent  | Submit your photo or video