X GAMES 15

Skateboard Vert Women’s Final Results

1. Lynz Adams Hawkins Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.
2. Karen Jonz Santo Andre, Brazil
3. Gaby Ponce Tenafly, N.J.
4. Cara-Beth Burnside Encinitas, Calif.
5. Julie Kindstrand Santa Ana, Calif.
6. Mimi Knoop Chesapeake, Va.
7. Allysha Bergado El Segundo, Calif.
8. Elise Dabby Del Mar, Calif.

Just a few short years ago, no one had ever pulled a kickflip indy in a women’s vert competition. Today, three of the eight competitors in the X Games Skateboard Vert Women’s competition added the trick into fluid runs, which resulted in podium spots for each of them.

Last year’s gold medalist, Karen Jonz, skated strong today, stomping not only the kickflip indy, but a solid stalefish and a finger flip indy. In the end, however, the judges awarded gold to last year’s silver medalist, Lynz Adams Hawkins, for her multiple McTwist attempts, and her commitment to setting the bar higher for women’s vert.

Lynz, who has been getting coaching from Tony Hawk for the McTwist, has yet to land the trick in a contest, but so far she is the only female skateboarder attempting to try them.

“I honestly thought I was going to get third,” said Lynz of her win. “30 minutes for a jam session is technically a long time, but the competition went really quick because it was just go go go the whole time. I didn’t even get as many runs as I thought I would.”

Bronze medalist Gaby Ponce, a high school student from New Jersey competing in her second X Games, impressed the crowd with huge airs and a stylish gay twist. “This was the best contest I’ve ever been in,” she said.

“We’re all really pushing each other right now,” added Lynz. “I’m not even going to be able to snowboard this winter, because I’m going to have to skateboard all year round so I can practice and stick even more tricks next year at X Games’ sweet sixteen.

2007 and 2008 Gold Medal Winners Dal Santo and Steamer Battle For Queen of Women’s Street Skateboarding Crown

Los Angeles, Calif. – First place in the X Games Skateboarding Street Women’s finals was anybody’s guess today, while skaters Elissa Steamer, Marisa Dal Santo, Lacey Baker and Alexis Sablone traded spots on the leader board after almost every run.

Going into the final round, it looked like Dal Santo, the 2007 gold medalist, might not make the podium. Then she nailed a frontside boardslide down the 12-stair rail to bring her into third place, followed by a frontside lipslide down the rail, to vault her into first.

Last year’s gold medalist, skate legend, and crowd favorite, Elissa Steamer, skated ferociously, but was overpowered by first time X Games competitor Alexis Sablone, who knocked Steamer into third with her equally powerful skateboarding.

Sablone is making a triumphant comeback to the world of skateboarding after disappearing from the scene for a few years to focus on college. She brought the crowd of X Games spectators in the stands and male skateboarding peers lounging on the street course to a roar by landing a kickflip down the 12-stair, followed by a 50-50 down the 12-stair rail.

“I don’t worry about beating Elissa,” said Dal Santo, when asked about how hard it was to defeat the four-time gold medalist who forced Dal Santo to take silver in 2008. “She’s my friend. I like skating with her. We just come out here and do our thing, and today it just worked out for me.”


Rob Lorifice sticks a backside 360 and a backside rodeo 540 on his last run. Well done.

Andy MacDonald back 360 varial then bail.

Adam Taylor attempted 720 over the gap but bails.

Jake Brown back 360 mute and a bail on the second 900 attempt.

Bob Burnquist falls on a back 180 over the gap.

Results:
Gold: Jake Brown
Silver: Bob Burnquist
Bronze: Rob Lorifice