Vert had the making of a great time. A rock style intro with lights and AC/DC. A very wide vert ramp. A huge crowd. And nine (You’ll find out why only nine shortly) of the baddest vert riders in the world. This was sure to be one of the greatest vert contests ever. The only downside was that Jamie Bestwick was out due to an injury. Eduardo Terreros had already hucked himself enough during the prelims and wasn’t able to ride the finals. So he was in tenth place. Crazy kid, Koji Kraft let loose some multiple variations and big tailwhips. He went for a barrel roll flair and nailed his leg on the coping. A few crashes put him in 9th.

Blasting high airs and variations like no-handers, a rocket one-hander, and turndowns; Jay Eggleston was happy to be in his first X Games final. He also did the biggest 540 that I had ever seen him do. Give Evil Jay 8th. Jason Davis once again came out listening to Motorhead and riding with Lemmy on his side. In one run he did a flair then a barspin, then a 540 and ended it with a tailwhip. He also did a wide assortment of variations and walked home with seventh place.

Mat Hoffman, doing what he does best, flyin' high

Dennis McCoy busted a lookback, x-up and barspin 540. He also did a straight up and down flair and big airs. On his last trick he went for a x-up flair but barely missed the landing and fell pretty hard. But it was still good for 6th. Looking a little tired, Simon Tabron still tore it up. No handed and lookdown 540’s, no-hander to barspin and going for a regular 900 and an alley-oop 900. He was so close to both but still fell. Even though his run was well over he got back on the ramp and dropped in to pull the 900 clean. Fifth isn’t too bad.

This comp was insane. Kevin Robinson pulled his no-handed flair in the finals, as well as a regular one; a switch handed 540, some high variations and something that he’s never done in a contest before; a huge ass tailwhip. It was nice. Kevin was in fourth.

This may just be Mat Hoffman’s last X Games. And he made sure it would be one to remember. Rocket no-handers, rocket front peg grabbers, a no handed to no-footed 540, flairs and a perfectly pulled 900. He doesn’t even ride brakes. Bronze medal for Mat.

Jay Miron was up for it all week.

You just don’t do a 540 tailwhip as you’re first trick on you’re first run. You just don’t do that! Unless of course your name happens to be Jay Miron. Holding nothing back Jay went off. Besides two 540 whips, he also did a big superman tailwhip, big 540’s, supermans, decades, and a very nice double tailwhip. He was ruling. Silver for Jay.

Not having the best luck in street, Dave Mirra made things work for him here in vert. Simply put, Dave is just incredible on the vert ramp. He uses every inch of it. Put in a no-handed 540, flairs both ways, big opposite airs, tailwhips, no-footed can-can to tailwhip, bar spin to no-hander and so many other rad things you’ll get a gold medal winner. And that’s exactly what we got, Dave Mirra won vert. With vert finished so were the 2001 X Games in Philadelphia. I’m definitely looking forward to next year's Games. I’m sure it will be just as crazy as this year's.

Dave Mirra spreading his wings.

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