November 19, 2008 - Not again.  Last week, New Zealand motocross star Katherine Prumm suffered a severe accident while training and is facing an uncertain future as far as her career goes.

Prumm mistimed a jump and fell nearly 10 feet, landing head-first with her bike crashing on her back. After waiting nearly an hour for an ambulance, the 20-year-old two-time world champion was transported to a local hospital where doctors discovered she fractured her back in three places. 

Riding since she was nine years old, Prumm had won two motocross world titles in a row. Her 2008 campaign began promisingly but a knee injury and broken collarbone ended her hopes of a third crown. Now she’s unsure of whether she will ever ride a motorcycle again.

“As far as recovery goes, I haven’t really been told too much yet, about walking or riding,” she said.

“I think I’m more anxious to find out whether I’ll be all right or not,” she told NZPA.  “Not a lot else matters at the moment.”

Prumm’s accident is the latest in a string of life-altering injuries to major action sports stars including mountain bike racer Tara Llanes.

Read more about her accident here.

Filed under: Motocross, News Bytes by jane
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October 29, 2008 - Woot hoot! After ongoing discussions with various women’s sports organizations, ESPN finally announced that the X Games will include equal prize money for men and women. We’ve come a long way, baby!

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.

Filed under: Action, Motocross, Skateboard, X Games by jane
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September 7, 2008 - With this season marking the start of the first ever FIM Women’s World Championship after three successful years of World Cup experience, Grand Prix Kawasaki Racing rider Livia Lancelot took the Title to become the first ever Women’s World Champion in the history of motocross.

The 20 year old French rider from Paris has always been an active supporter of the Women’s series as she is in the challenge since the first World Cup edition in 2005.

Taking third in 2005, Lancelot rode another World Cup edition with Yamaha in 2006 and finished again in third before moving to the GPKR Team.

In 2007 Kawasaki mounted Lancelot came close to winning the World Cup as she led the pack into the final round in Lierop. She lost to eventual Cup winner Katherine Prumm.

2008 was the year of Lancelot’s confirm as she took her first ever overall win at the opening round in Sevlievo to carry on with other solid results. She took pole and the Circuiti Gioielli Women’s Pole Position Award in Mantova and again in Teutschenthal as she mounted on the podium also in St. Jean d’Angely and Teutschenthal.

In this final round in Lierop Lancelot proved her brave attitude by going 2-1 for the overall victory of the final round and wrapping up the title with gallantry.

Next year when the series’ second moto’s will be televised live during all eight rounds in the calendar Livia Lancelot will take on the Title defense onboard a factory bike of the Kawasaki Racing Team, which will be owned by Frenchmen Roger Pourcel and Thierry Chizat Suzzoni.

NAME: Livia Lancelot
DATE OF BIRTH: 11.02.1988
PLACE OF BIRTH: St. Denis, France
NATIONALITY: French
RESIDENCE: Paris, France
NICKNAME: Livy
WEBSITE: http://wwwlivialancelot.com

(via press release)

Filed under: Motocross by admin
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Fiolek Grabs Title with Overall Win at AMA/WMA Women’s Motocross National at Steel City

DELMONT, Pa. (August 31, 2008) – American Honda/Red Bull/Alpinestars’ rookie rider Ashley Fiolek claimed her first career title in the season finale of AMA/WMA Women’s Motocross National Championship Presented by Kawasaki from Steel City Raceway, earning her fourth win of the season at the T-Mobile Sidekick Final Round, part of the American Motocross Festival.
 
In the first moto of the weekend, Fiolek sped out of the gates to the Meterman Holeshot Award and held off the advances of American Honda/Honda of Houston/Fox Racing/Bad Boy Energy Drink’s Jessica Patterson early on to take the win and seal the championship heading into Saturday’s final moto.
 
Fiolek was the first to the line again in moto two, sweeping the holeshots for the weekend. With the title in hand, she rode conservatively as Patterson and Yamaha, Jayco, Etnies, FMF, Answer Racing’s Tarah Gieger battled out front. In her best moto of the season, Gieger raced to the front and grabbed her first and only moto win of the season, helping her to third overall. Patterson’s pair of runner-up finishes placed her second overall.
 
“After winning the moto yesterday, I just didn’t want to force the issue today,” explained Fiolek, who became the first deaf women’s champion. “(I’ve) learned it takes a lot to be competitive in the WMA and it’s been a learning experience all year. I thought there would be good battles, but I didn’t (expect) the championship.”
 
Fiolek edged out the five-time champion Patterson by 29 points in the final standings.
 
AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship Presented by Kawasaki
Steel City Raceway – Delmont, Pa.
August 29-30, 2008
Round 6 of 6
 
AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship (Moto Finish)

1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 1-3
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 2-2
3. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Fla., Yamaha, 4-1
4. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 3-4
5. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki, 6-5
6. Kirsten Raemisch, Madison, Wis., 7-6
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki, 8-7
8. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 9-8
9. Kimberly Kocher, Paris, Ohio, KTM, 12-9
10. April Zastrow, Kuna, Idaho, Honda, 11-12

AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship Points

1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 276
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 247
3. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki, 200
4. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Calif., Yamaha, 198
5. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 198
6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki, 165
7. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 138
8. Tatum Sik, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 126
9. Ayla Cabus, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 115
10. Alisa Nix, Ukiah, Calif., Yamaha, 105

For full results, log onto www.wmaracing.com http://www.wmaracing.com .
 

Filed under: Action, Motocross, Motorcycle by Becki Wheeler
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August 13, 2008 - Ever dream of capturing the spirit of independence and freedom of the open road on film?

Harley-Davidson is searching for female filmmakers who can capture the sense of empowerment, freedom and adventure that is inherent when women get behind the handlebars of their very own Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, in a short film.

Female filmmakers are encouraged to submit a two minute film about women riders for the chance to win $5,000, a new high definition video camera, Harley-Davidson MotorClothes, and the opportunity to showcase their film at a premiere party in Los Angeles.

“This contest aims to capture the passion, self-confidence and beauty of female riders and inspire those who are thinking about riding to grab life by the handlebars and hit the open road.” 

Deadline for entries is September 30, 2008. Must be 18 years of age or older. Are you the next action film director?  Entry Info

Filed under: Contest, Motorcycle by jane
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August 3, 2008 - Tarah Geiger of Puerto Rico won the inaugural women’s Moto X Racing five-lap final at Home Depot Center.

Geiger moved into the lead when Jessica Patterson crashed, gave the lead back to Patterson and then re-passed her in a tight turn, forcing Patterson to lose control again.

Sherri Cruse of Bakersfield and Tatum Sik of Temecula also passed Patterson, finishing second and third, respectively.

Filed under: Motocross by jane
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July 30, 2008 - X Games 14 begins it’s annual four-day run today in Los Angeles. The Olympics of extreme sports returns with a number of new events,  including skateboard superpark,  a moto X “best whip” competition, and rally car racing.

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.

Filed under: Action, Motocross, Skateboard, X Games by jane
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July 30, 2008 - Defending series champion Jessica Patterson took her first win of the 2008 season in round four of the six-race AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship series. After finishing second in the weekend’s first moto, Patterson capitalized on a great start in moto two to take the moto win and overall victory in Washougal, Wash.

Series points leader Ashley Fiolek came up short in her bid for a fourth straight overall win, but finished second overall after taking the victory of moto one and the runner-up spot behind Patterson in moto two.

Both will be competing in the X Games taking place this week in Los Angeles.

Filed under: Action, Motocross by jane
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June 11, 2008 - It is time to come back to the track for the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship collective, entering the third of six rounds this weekend at St. Jean d’Angely, France.

Good news for the local fans is that home rider Livia Lancelot leads the points standings in what is shaping up as her best season in the series.

GPKR’s Livia Lancelot is 100% ready for her home round of the Women’s World Championship; the series leader from Paris has been ill for the past week but she had the time to recover and will be ready to defend the red plate this weekend.

Livia has some hard work ahead if she wants to remain at the top of the hard fought Championship; 2006 and 2007 World Cup winner Katherine Prumm, now riding for Yamaha Van Beers, is only two points behind Livia while American star Ashley Fiolek is third with a gap of ten points. Despite a broken right ACL, Prumm is not surrendering and is giving an incredible demonstration of strength and determination. Ride on, girls.

Filed under: General, Motocross by jane
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May 28, 2008 - X Games 14 will take place July 31 -August 3 at The Home Depot Center and STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Returning to Puerto Escondido, X Games Surfing will take the stage July 7-11 at the famous “Mexican Pipeline” at Zicatela Beach. Fourteen hours of live X Games programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC -all showcased in high definition - will be air during the event.

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

Filed under: Action, Motocross, Skateboard, X Games by jane
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