Montreal native Pierre-Luc Gagnon, "PLG," took his destiny into his own hands in landing a Heel Flip McTwist to sew up the gold medal at the X Games Skateboard Vert Best Trick competition this evening at the First Union Complex. Brazilian Sandro Dias recorded his highest finish at the X Games, taking second by landing a Christ Air 540 to Nar Jar and Tony Hawk took third with a fakie to fakie frontside 540. PLG finally turned his Skateboard Vert Best Trick luck around at X Games VIII. He was unable to compete in last year's X Games after breaking his wrist a week before they began. Two years ago, he qualified, but just as an alternate. "This wasn't the first time I landed this trick," said Gagnon, who took gold in the X Games Skateboard Vert competition on Friday. "But I wanted to land it here in front of everyone. I felt like it was just a regular skate session, like I was hanging with my friends. California native Hawk, who won gold on Saturday night in the Skateboard Vert Doubles competition with Andy Mcdonald, pulled his best trick, a 540 360 Varial, after time had expired. "I would have been very disappointed if I hadn't landed it," said Hawk, who, with 15 medals, leads the X Games all-time medal count by one over Bike Stunt superstar Dave Mirra. "Everyone just wants to land the trick they came to land. It doesn't matter if time has passed. Really, no one cares what place they come in; we just want to do our best for the crowd. The X Games showcases 300 of the world's best action sports athletes competing in a variety of sports events for medals and more than $1 million in total prize money. In its first year as X Games host, Philadelphia drew 235,000 spectators during X Games VII, August 17-22, 2001. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise more than 20 original hours of X Games VIII coverage August 17 - 22, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture, will offer extensive event coverage, including streaming video from the X Games.