October 29, 2008

Press release from ESPN:

“ESPN is proud to announce that the X Games and Winter X Games will feature equal prize money for both men and women in 2009. ESPN has been a leader in promoting and programming women’s athletics, and this recent action sports prize purse increase is the latest example. This past summer saw the X Games feature women’s motocross for the first time, and the upcoming Winter X Games will feature a host of female Olympic medalists from several different countries. Starting with Winter X Games 13 in January, 2009, men and women athletes at all X Games events will compete for equal cash awards. –John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president”

Much of the credit for the equal prize money goes to the Action Sports Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides a voice for women skateboarders that lobbied ESPN executives as early as 2006 before X Games 12. In the current corporate and economic environment, it’s great when companies do the right thing.

The next Winter X Games,  set to remain in Aspen through 2010, will take place Jan. 22-25th.

August 3, 2008

That interview moved down the list Saturday as Jones edged defending champion Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins to take the gold medal in the women’s skateboarding vert contest at the Home Depot Center.

“This is the thing I wanted the most,” Jones said. “It’s so stupid and I’m not supposed to like contests and care about it. I just sucked last year and the year before so I got obsessive about doing good on it.”

Given the jam session format of the event, Jones credited her victory to a combination of smaller tricks including varials and kick flips rather than to a signature move.

Another result of the format was conflict over whose turn it was to skate with two girls often going at the same time.

“It’s just different,” bronze medalist Mimi Knoop said. “It’s something you have to learn. It’s an etiquette and I don’t think the younger girls have really learned it. It’s a respect.”

LA Times

Last year, skating on her 21st birthday, Marisa Dal Santo came out of nowhere to edge into first place, unseating Steamer from the top spot for the first time in three years. This year, Steamer stepped up and took her title right back - winning her fourth overall gold medal at the X Games. (Second, third and fourth places went to Marisa, Amy Caron, and Leticia Bufoni.)

When Steamer began skateboarding 23 years ago, she had few women to skate with and learned how to ride with the guys. She didn’t really set out to be a trailblazer, but that’s the role she’s assumed and her most recent gold medal proves she’s still the one to watch.

Check out this Elissa Steamer Profile.

Skateboard Street Women’s Final Results Results from ESPN X GAMES 14 at The Event Deck at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, Calf. on Friday, August 1, 2008. (Final Standings)

Name / Hometown / Score

1. Elissa Steamer / San Francisco, Calif. / 87.83
2. Marisa Dal Santo / LaGrange, IL / 81.50
3. Amy Caron / Huntington Beach, Calif. / 80.00
4. Rachel Reinhard / Colorado Springs, Colo. / 78.00
5. Leticia Bufoni / Sao Paulo, Brazil / 77.00
6. Vanessa Torres / Silver Lake, Calif. / 65.08
7. Evie Bouilliart / Huntington Beach, Calif. / 60.33
8. Lorena Lima / Sayreville, N.J. / 46.83
9. Lauren Perkins / Huntington Beach, Calif. / 42.83
10. Sophie Poppe / Destelbergen, Belgium / 23.25

July 30, 2008

Skateboarding is still the heart and soul of the event but sadly, surfing, perhaps the perfect action sport, is not part of the competition this year. As always, the X Games is primarily targeted to young, male viewers but there are a couple of events for those without a Y chromosome.

On the girl’s side, women’s motocross has been added to the sports line up and world-renowned competitors, such Jessica Patterson and 17-year-old WMA Pro National phenom Ashley Fiolek, will be on the course.

Women’s sketboarding will also be featured and confirmed street skaters include: Lacey Baker, Evie Bouilliart, Leticia Bufoni, Amy Caron, Marisa Del Santo, Lorena Lima, Lauren Perkins, Rachel Reinhard, Elissa Steamer and Vanessa Torres.

In the vert event, look for Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins, Allysha Bergado, Cara-Beth Burnside, Karen Jones, Julie Kindstrand, Mimi Knoop, Gaby Ponce, and Annie Sullivan.

Coverage of X Games 14 will include 20 hours of live programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, July 31-August 3. But if you live in the area, slip into a pair of Vans, and head down to the Staples Center or Home Depot Center for all the action.

Check out the EXPN website for a full schedule and list competitors.

July 1, 2008

Slated to go down at Puerto Escondido over a four-day waiting period this week - dates that overlap with the Billabong Pro J-Bay - the X Games surf competition apparently was unable to get the big WCT names they wanted. And by big names we mean Kelly (Slater), Andy and Bruce (Irons), Taj (Burrow),  Mick (Fanning), Dane (Reynolds), and Jordy (Smith).

No mention of the ladies, who were finally added to the event last year. The 2007 U.S. vs. the World format featured legendary surfers Lisa Andersen and Layne Beachley as opposing coaches. The former is a four-time world champion and the inspiration behind the Roxy brand. The latter is a seven-time champion from Australia.

Guess the move to the Mexican Pipeline in search of gnarlier waves, nor the addition of the ladies, was enough to save the event. 

Although surfing at X Games is definitely off for this year, it may be revisited next year. Stay tuned.

X Games 14 will feature athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: BMX Freestyle (men only), Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Rally Car Racing (men only). Tickets for X Games 14 will be available for purchase June 19 at Ticketmaster and the box offices at STAPLES and The Home Depot Center. The following is the competition schedule:

All times listed are Pacific Time (PT).

Thursday, July 31
10 a.m. -12 p.m. Skateboard Street Men’s and Women’s Practice, STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center
12 p.m. -2 p.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s Practice, The Home Depot Center
2:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Moto X Racing Women’s Practice, The Home Depot Center

Friday, August 1
1 p.m. -2 p.m. Skateboard Street Women’s Practice, STAPLES Center
2 p.m. -2:45 p.m. Skateboard Street Women’s FINAL, STAPLES Center

Saturday, August 2
10 a.m. -11 a.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s Practice, The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Moto X Racing Women’s Practice, The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. -12 p.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s Final, The Home Depot Center
12 p.m. -1:30 p.m. Moto X Racing Women’s and Men’s Final, The Home Depot Center

May 21, 2008

ESPN announced that Women’s Motocross will be added to the sports line up for X Games 14, joining the other sports of BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard, Rally Car Racing and Surfing. The Women’s Moto X Racing competition will include 10 of the top women motocross racers in the world competing for the gold medal in the first-time event.

“Adding women’s motocross to X Games this year is great timing and a perfect fit,” said Rick Alessandri, managing director, X Games Franchise. “We are committed to expanding the female participation at this world-class event, and the women’s motocross circuit demonstrates unbelievable talent deserving recognition on the X Games stage.”

Women’s Moto X Racing will have a main event consisting of 10 women motocross racers competing for medals and prize purse. World-renowned competitors, such as 17-year-old WMA Pro National phenomenon Ashley Fiolek, will be racing a 125cc 2-stroke or 250 4-stroke motorcycle. The competition will air live Saturday, August 2 at 4 p.m. ET on ABC.

Fiolek, who recently turned pro last year, said, “This is a huge step forward in women’s professional motocross. I feel honored to be asked to participate in the X Games and I am looking forward to a great race.”

Get ready for some wheel action…

Results