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CS4U Predicts X Games Austin 2015 – Skateboard Vert & Skateboard Vert Best Trick (@XGames #XGamesAustin)

Gabriel Christus / ESPN Images
Gabriel Christus / ESPN Images

The halfpipe for X Games Austin is constructed of skatelite (a durable paper-composite material) and wood and is 60 feet wide with 11.5-foot transitions and two feet of vert. The skaters ride the ramp from wall-to-wall combining technical big airs and lip tricks. In this Final-only-format, athletes will each take three runs with their best score determining ranking.

Competitors will be judged based on aggressive execution of maneuvers, degree of difficulty, variety, continuity of run, originality and style, amplitude (height of airs) and use of the ramp.

In addition to the Skateboard Vert competition, X Games Austin 2015 will bring back the Vert Best Trick discipline for the first time since 2006. In the final-only format, riders will drop into the vert ramp in start order and attempt their best trick. Riders may drop as many times as possible within the 30-minute jam.

Competitors will be judged based on aggressive execution of maneuver, degree of difficulty, originality and style, amplitude (height of air) and use of the ramp.

INVITED ATHLETES – SKATEBOARD VERT

  • Sam Beckett (ENG)
  • Mitchie Brusco (USA)
  • Bob Burnquist (BRA)
  • Sandro Dias (BRA)
  • Pierre-Luc Gagnon (CAN)
  • Bucky Lasek USA)
  • Andy Macdonald (USA)
  • Alex Perelson (USA)
  • Paul-Luc Ronchetti (ENG)
  • Jono Schwan (USA)
  • Elliott Sloan (USA)
  • Jimmy Wilkins

PREDICTIONS – SKATEBOARD VERT

1st Place: Jimmy Wilkins went from complete obscurity to the youngest X Games Skateboard Vert gold medalist of all time with a style called “refreshing and juicy” by the judges at X Games 2014. X Games Austin 2015 will be this reigning Vert gold medalist’s third appearance, though he doesn’t lack competition wins. He was the number one ranked skater at World Cup Skateboarding in 2014 and is the youngest X Games SKB Vert gold medalist in history. We think he will be taking first place again this year.

2nd Place: Sandro Dias is still one of the most exciting vert skaters. He has 7 X Games medals, including gold from Vert Best Trick and Vert. The third skater in history to land the 900, he was the first to land it in a Vert competition (2004) and is considered the king of the 540. Sandro took home the silver last year and we think he will be taking it home again.

3rd Place: Pierre-Luc Gagnon is one of the best vert skaters in history. He owns 20 X Games medals across four disciplines including Vert Doubles, Vert, Vert Best Trick and Big Air. He earned the first three-peat in X Games SKB Vert from 2008 to 2010 and tallied 16 X Games competition starts between 2004 and 2012, claiming 14 medals in the process. He’s one of the world’s most technical riders, and he combines those skills with good amplitude. We believe PLG will bet taking third place this year.

INVITED ATHLETES – SKATEBOARD VERT BEST TRICK

  • Marcelo Bastos (BRA)
  • Sam Beckett (ENG)
  • Bob Burnquist (USA)
  • Pierre-Luc Gagnon (CAN)
  • Bucky Lasek (USA)
  • Alex Perelson (USA)
  • Elliott Sloan (USA)
  • Jimmy Wilkins

PREDICTIONS – SKATEBOARD VERT BEST TRICK

1st Place: Pierre-Luc Gagnon is one of the best vert skaters in history. He owns 20 X Games medals across four disciplines including Vert Doubles, Vert, Vert Best Trick and Big Air. Considering his medals in this category we think PLG will take home the gold.

2nd Place: Bob Burnquist is one of the legends of X Games, Bob is one of just three athletes to have competed in every X Games summer event. He’s earned 27 medals, the most in X Games history. The seven-time X Games Big Air champ is all about skating, flying and how two daughters. Between those things, he’s rarely on the ground. Bob has the most medals in X Games history: 26 total, including 12 gold, six silver, and eight bronze. We think Bob will be taking second place.

3rd Place: Elliott Sloan owns five X Games medals overall, including a Big Air gold, two silver and one bronze from the 2013 X Games Big Air events. He also has a Big Air Rail Jam bronze from 2010.  He’s a dedicated mega ramp and vert skater and we think he will be taking home third place.

What are your thoughts on our predictions for Skateboard Vert and Skateboard Vert Best Trick? Make sure to see who claims the titles TOMORROW — Friday, June 5th @ 2:30PM ET on ESPN3.

Author

  • Juliet Schroder

    Juliet is the founder and executive producer/host of Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country. When not reporting on the latest news in pop culture and country music, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, watching sports and exploring the latest fashion trends. Juliet holds a B.S. in marketing from St. John's University.

Juliet is the founder and executive producer/host of Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country. When not reporting on the latest news in pop culture and country music, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, watching sports and…

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