My 1st Day At X-Games 14: Day 2

Because of strict X-Games rules and restrictions, I was unable to videotape freely as I always do when I attend an event.  You know what I mean, like getting skaters in compromising candids that I can use to blackmail them for some free gear.  I’m shameless like that. Anyway I decided to leave the camera at home capture everything in my head.

I couldn’t make it to Day 1 of the X-Games due to the fact that I overslept so I missed all the big air and great slams that day.  Actually those slams were pretty bad to watch, on TV anyway.  Whenever there was a commercial during the “Family Matters” marathon over on TNT, I flipped it over to ESPN and I happened to catch Danny Way’s leg decapitation.  Unless it’s UFC or Jean-Claude Van Dam/Bloodsport type fighting, I’m not really into seeing other people get hurt.  Watching those “Faces Of Death” movies as a kid was actually kind of traumatizing.  So watching Danny Way get tossed around not once but twice like a rag doll was pretty bad.  Maybe not as bad as missing the last five minutes of episode twelve of the Family Matters marathon, but still pretty bad.  But considering he got back home after both slams, then good for him.

So hopefully attending the 2nd day of the event, I wouldn’t have to see any bad slams, live.   I had to pick up my credential first at the Home Depot Center and because all of the parking attendants are college students trying to make an extra buck, nobody could tell me where to find the credential pick up.  So I had to walk around the entire Cal State Dominguez Hills Campus in order to find the credential pick up.  Luckily I found this 30 year old 4’ 11” cholo with an amazing mustache and braided ponytail working one of the back entrances who empathized with me and let me cut through the back where all the moto cross guys hung out.  All he said to me was “Yo ey, watch out for the guys in blue ey”.  I lucked out meeting the guy because it began to get really hot out.

Once getting my credential I headed over to the Staples Center to catch the Men’s Final Street competition.  I would have to wait until Saturday for the Vert final.  But thanks to LA traffic, I arrived pretty late and got there just in time for the last street jam.  It took place over the double set with handrail.  I love going to skate contest because I feel like I’m a 15 year old again.  A 15 year old at an Aquabats concert with all types of groupies trying to get in with the band, except this time the band are a group of skaters.  The last qualifying five skaters in the final were Jereme Rogers, Greg Lutzka, P-Rod, Ryan Sheckler, Rodolfo Ramos, and of course last year’s winner, Chris Cole.

Not really knowing what happened in the earlier rounds of the street contest, there was no surprise that these six skaters were among the finalist considering you see them in almost any final they compete in.  The monopolize skate contests.  The three Plan B skaters did really well as usual but it’s really no surprise coming from them.  Jereme Rogers was doing everything switch and landing in smooth poses looking like a ninja keeping his balance.  P-Rod landed a high percentage of his tricks looking smooth like his dad in that film “Million To Juan”.  “Juan” of my favorite films actually.  Hahaha.  And then there was Sheckler, who probably didn’t even have to land anything or do anything spectacular and many eyes were still on him.  Not mine of course, but a lot of girls around me.  Every time he would go up to do a trick, I noticed three or four cameras taking photos of him, just him.  How sweet, hopefully they can develop those photos in time to put into their Trapper Keeper Binders.  Do they still use those?

The standouts for me were Greg Lutzka and Radolfo Ramos.  Sorry Chris Cole but you broke your board in the middle of the contest and that’s really rude to the spectators.  Greg Lutzka was incorporating more flip tricks and landing.  Then there’s Radolfo Ramos.  Damn this guy’s is sick.  Sorry Radolfo but I’ve never heard of him before.  He comes out of Florianapolis, Brazil.  There is nothing soft about his style.  You can really hear his trucks slam into the street obstacles.  It sounds like bricks are being thrown when he skates.  Plus he pulled one of the more impressive tricks down the double set.  A fakie variel smith grind.  I actually thought he should have won but giving first place to him is like giving Miss Universe to Miss Laos.

The results are as follows…

1.Ryan Sheckler / San Clemente, Calif.
2. Paul Rodgriguez / Northridge, Calif.
3. Greg Lutzka / Huntington Beach, Calif.
4. Rodolfo Ramos / Florianapolis, Brazil
5. Jereme Rogers / Los Angeles, Calif.

After the skate event, I decided to hang out for a bit at the Staples Center to watch some of the BMX Big Air event.  My man Greg and I went up to the press booth to check out the action but not much action was going on up there.  One of his contacts from Red Bull invited us up to their suite so we left the press area.  Greg and I went down to the suite to find a bunch of bald business looking executives in the Red Bull suite.  He couldn’t find his contact but it didn’t look like anyone really minded us being up there except for a couple awkward looks from one bald guy in particular.  But screw it, we made ourselves feel at home.  Greg started ordering drinks and I began eating their food.  The sandwiches were so delectable.  A few minutes later, Greg stepped out really quick to answer a phone call.  I was left inside talking to someone when seconds later, Greg taps my shoulder and tells me to get out.  We apparently got some false info and were in the wrong suite, obviously.  At least I got to eat.  Check back later for more coverage of ESPN’s X-Games.