2007 Toyota Challenge: Vert Finals Results

by George Crosland

 

Shaun won the first three Dew Tour events in 2007 and it took a French Canadian to knock him down

Vert skateboarding is coming so far and is getting to be in a better place than it was a few years ago. Shaun White, of course is pushing the level and attracting a lot of attention to the sport. Young kids like Alex Perelson are breathing new life into the sport. Mix that with the insane levels that the veterans like Bucky and Bob have brought vert skating too and you have a very fun to watch event. PLG, in his 20’s, is kind of in between the old guard (mostly in there thirties) and the kids like Alex (in their teens). Then you have guys like Rune Glifberg that kill vert and concrete. Yes indeed it is a good time for vert again.

The vert ramp was indoors in Salt Lake so unlike the skatepark event, it was un-affected by the rain. The fans were very excited to see Shaun White, of course. I am very spoiled I get to see these guys all the time but I guess if you live in Salt Lake it would pretty exciting to see a Gold Medalist in your town. Unlike the Ryan Sheckler show of skatepark, the fans seemed pretty excited to see all the vert skaters. The format was the best run of three takes it all.

Shaun’s first run was pretty insane. He makes 720’s look easy, so easy that he blasted out of the 7 right into a sketchy ass lipslide up the extension then into a 540 or some shit – insane. Shaun also did back to back 5’s which is common in snowboarding but much harder in skateboarding. After round one, Shaun was on top. Bucky’s second run topped Shaun’s first. Bucky does nit and twist as much as Shaun but Bucky’s top run has a little more variety than Shauns; Nollie Heel 360, boned out front 5’s, better use of the ramp and other trick put Bucky on top after round two. Shaun fell on his last two runs.

It came down to the very last run of the event and most people had pretty called Bucky the winner. Wait! PLG dropped in and NAILED his run, including a very solid 720. PLG was pumped and rightfully so. All of the top skaters had nailed their runs so this contest was no gimmee. Rune, Buster, Bob and Andy Mac all could have won if others had faltered. PLG took the whole show and deserved it.

Even though PLG won the battle Shaun won the war. With 363 points Shaun does not even have to show for the final stop to take the overall Dew Tour title. PLG (in second) has 262 points and if he wins in Orlando he gets 100 points – 1 point shy of Shaun’s 363.
I told Bucky, Bob and the other vert dudes; I bet Shaun is a no show in Orlando. Either way Salt Lakes vert event was sick!

 

Alex Perelson going mental

Rune Glifberg skated in a cement contest on Friday at South Jordan skatepark. The kids said he ANNIHALATED the park there. Rune is definitely leaning towards the crete lately but still nailed a run at the Dew Tour worthy of 7th place

Rune again – slamming metal to metal, this ollie up the extension, at speed to 5-0 was punk as fuck. You could here the clack up in the stands. Andy Mac looks on

Bucky – Nollie heel 360, that’s all I have to say about that

Andy Mac always has fun with his skating – sweeper. Remember the fun?

Alex Perelson was so upset with his run in San Diego last week that he punched the ramp and broke his hand, or arm. Now that is punk and that is the kind of aggression skating should bring out in people

Your event winner PLG

Bucky Lasek – nose bone front 5 – Fuck!

Jean Postec

Cheerleaders for skateboarding, they were giving away shirts. I was thinking “I want to give them something”

Shaun White – bringing new blood to vert skateboarding

Chris Gentry, last place in the finals but first place in the party and hooking up with SLC chicks contest

Shaun White throws varial heel flip indys on vert like a kickflip on the sidewalk. Look at this shit, seriously, he is not even looking at his board as he catches it and still has to reel it in from that tweaked out position – sick

Bob is an alien – front 5

Bob – one footed switch backside 5-0 – madness

Buster – Stale 5. I told him, “it’s a long way from Wellsville Pennsylvania in 1987, huh” He said “that is what my Dad said today”

Buster Halterman – frontside invert on the extension

Bucky with a fakie ollie to this? Actually this is missed flip trick but he just goes with it, pulls it and goes on with his run

Shaun White checking out where he fell on his second run

2 and 1 – Bucky and PLG

 

Vert Finals Results:

 

1- Gagnon, Pierre-Luc 93
2- Lasek, Bucky 91
3- White, Shaun 89
4- Macdonald, Andy 88.25
5- Burnquist, Bob 88
6- Halterman, Buster 84
7- Glifberg, Rune 80
8- Postec, Jean 79.5
9- Furlong, Anthony 72.5
10- Gentry, Chris 67.25

 

PLG on his victory run

Tuesday, September 25th 2007 @ 11:42 AM.
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