Roller Derby Books
Roller Derby Videos
|
2003 Los Angeles X Games
Stunt Bike Vert Wrap-Up Report
|
BESTWICK CAPTURES X GAMES GOLD AT BIKE STUNT VERT FINAL
Gold-winning Run Shown Live in ABC Primetime Window
LOS ANGELES -
Jamie Bestwick (Aaronburg, Penn.) took top honors at
X Games IX Bike Stunt Vert final, the first-ever action sports competition
to be aired live on a broadcast network in primetime (7-9 pm ET on ABC).
Bestwick won his third X Games Bike Stunt Vert gold with an innovative
and virtually flawless first run, topping the leader board early in the
competition with a 95.60 score.
Bestwick’s first run, which featured a series of challenging tailwhip
variations and an impressive 540, launched him to the top of the
leaderboard. That’s where Bestwick would stay en route to a first place
finish despite impressive challenges from an elite field of formidable
Bike Stunt Vert opponents.
Among the contenders was
Dave Mirra (Greenville, N.C.), a versatile
X Games veteran who took the bronze at yesterday’s Bike Stunt Park
final. Tonight, Mirra took second place behind Bestwick in the Vert
with a score of 92.60.
Bestwick last won X Games gold at X Global Championship I (May 2003, San Antonio).
He struck gold again tonight in front of an ecstatic crowd at STAPLES Center,
besting the popular Mirra by three points for first place. Bestwick missed X
Games VII and X Games VIII due to injury and was glad to be back on the podium
at X Games IX.
"I’ve had an amazing year with so many great competitions like
X Games," said Bestwick. "After two years sitting on my couch watching
X Games, it’s fantastic to be back in it."
Although he didn’t win the highly anticipated showdown with Bestwick,
Dave Mirra’s second place finish earned him the sixteenth medal of his
X Games career, tying legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk for the record
of most overall medals. Eleven of Mirra’s medals are gold. Highlights
of his 92.60 run included a 540 tailwhip, superman double tailwhip,
and a one-footed X-Up flair.
"I didn’t expect anything out of this," said Mirra. "There’s just so many good
riders out there. It was a great time and I’m thrilled to see the sport
progressing at the amazing rate that it is."
Kevin Robinson (State College, Penn.) showcased a switch-handed flair to
no-handed flair line in his second run, but it was his technically superior
first run that earned him the bronze with a score of 90.40.
"I just tried to ride like it was a regular session," said Robinson. "I tried to
make it fun. We ride together every day and I didn’t want to think of it as a
contest."
|
Related Links
2003 Summer X Games (Special Report)
All X Games Since 1995
ESPN 2003 Summer X Games Site
|
Skating in Africa
|
Skating in Asia
|
Skating in Europe
|
Skating in Oceania
|
Skating in The Americas
|
Inline Skate Shop
Roller Skate Shop
|
