Roller Derby Books
Roller Derby Videos
|
Report on the Surfing Competition
Official ESPN report on the surfing competition at
the 2005 Summer X Games in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
East Coast Team Wins 3rd Consecutive X-Games
Big Waves in Puerto Escondido Help Team East Coast Attain a
Three Peat
The top surfers in the world competed today in ESPN X Games 11
for the first time ever in international waters. Puerto
Escdondido, "The Mexican Pipeline" hosted a nail-biting
competition with waves ranging from six to 10 feet high.
In the end, Team East Coast sank their teeth into their
third consecutive X Games win with a final score of 100.75
to Team West Coast’s score of 96.50.
Tensions ran high as the East took an early lead in the first and
second quarters. Todd Morcom led the pack in his run with a 7.75
score, setting the pace for the rest of his team. Team East Coast
Asst. Coach Todd Cline stated that the East was "Happy with the
bigger surf. We are known for the smaller waves, but this was a
great way to showcase that the boys from the East like the
Hobgoods and Lopez’s can get top scores on the bigger waves."
Initially, Team East Coast had the disadvantage as they lost the
coin toss, resulting in coach Mike Parsons decision to surf at
the bottom of the quarters. However, the waves worked to Team
East Coast’s favor throughout the Game. Going into the bottom of
the third quarter, Team West Coast was behind by over 30 points,
making their hopes for a first X Games look bleak.
Midway through the third quarter, Santa Cruz, Calif. native Kieran
Horn rode a right hand tube, topped off with a floater from top to
bottom, scoring a 7.5 that gave the West a glimmer of hope for the
final two quarters. With help from teammates Chris Ward with a
6.25, Rob Machado with a 7 and Pat O’Connell with top-of-the-class
honors at 7.75, Team West Coast came close to closing the door on
the Team East Coast’s massive lead.
When Team East Coast caught wind of these scores, they worked
hard to maintain and solidify their lead. In the top of the
fourth quarter, Jamie O’Brien rode a never-ending wave to
give Team East Coast a well earned 8.5 on the scoreboards.
At the conclusion of the game, O’Brien said the win was
partially due to each of his teammates peaking in different
heats. "Mendia got that nine in the second quarter,
which really gave us a push going into the second half,"
explained O’Brien. "We all worked off of each other to
get the scores we needed."
Team West Coast was able to post some good scores at the bottom
of the fourth quarter, but not enough to clinch the win.
Ward mentioned he "Wished the team would have had better luck
with the waves in the first half. It probably would have ended
differently."
Teammate, Machado, stated that the team was "Obviously
disappointed with the results," but continued that overall
it was "A great experience in Puerto Escondido. We had an
amazing turnout and the local crowd truly gave us a warm welcoming."
In addition to The Game in X Games 11, X Games Surfing
sport organizer Brad Gerlach of the National Surf League
organized two locals Games that took place on July 31 and
August 1. As a goodwill gesture towards the surfers of the town,
the X Games coaching staff and judges adapted the rules of
The Game to unify X Games competitors with the natives of
the area. Local team, The Tiburones clenched the win on
Sunday, but opponents The Malaguas rallied the following
day to level the playing field.
Results of the Surfing Competition
|
Related Links:
Surfing at the 2005 Summer X Games
2005 Summer X Games - Main Menu
All X Games Since 1995
Translate Any Web Site or Phrase
|
Skating in Africa
|
Skating in Asia
|
Skating in Europe
|
Skating in Oceania
|
Skating in The Americas
|
Inline Skate Shop
Roller Skate Shop
|
