Well, Ortiz didn’t kid around, winning the contest and the Dew Cup, with P-Rod and Greg Lutzka close behind.  And our Mr. Sheckler?  Tenth.

Congrats on #1 Chaz — it must be great to be 14.

Video highlights below.

One year ago, Chaz Ortiz was making his first appearance on the AST Dew Tour at Orlando’s PlayStation Pro having qualified for a wildcard thanks to taking the Free Flow Tour title.  At only 13, he was competiting as an amateur.  This year, he won it all.

“I wasn’t expecting to win,” Ortiz said. “I came in here just wanting to have fun and I mean it all came together. To win it is ten times better.”

Ortiz didn’t just win the PlayStation pro, he dominated it.  Yes, Paul Rodriguez Jr. and Greg Lutzka were in it to the end, but Ortiz couldn’t be beat after landing almost every trick cleanly in the seven-minute jam session.

Three-time Dew Cup champ Ryan Sheckler, who led the race going into Orlando, was off of his game finishing well out of the running in the contest at 10th place and 3rd for the Dew Cup.

For the season both Sheckler and Ortiz won two stops (the other was won by P-Rod) but Sheckler’s poor showing in two contests made the difference.

P-Rod finished second in the contest and in the Dew Cup Race, followed by Greg Lutzka in third for the contest (and fourth for the Dew Cup).

Timmy Knuth, 17, who won this year’s Free Flow Tour amateur title in Salt Lake City last month, finished in fourth place today.

For more about the final and about the tour, check out AST.com.

Skate Park Final Results – PlayStation Pro
October 19, 2008 – Orlando, FL
1. Chaz Ortiz, Chicago, 92.75
2. Paul Rodriguez, Tarzana, Calif., 91.25
3. Greg Lutzka, Milwaukee, 86.75
4. Timmy Knuth (A), Melbourne, Fla., 82.10
5. Austen Seaholm, Anaheim, Calif., 79.60
6. Carlos De Andrade, Brazil, 77.00
(the following did not qualify for six man jam session)
7. Chris Mendes, Moreno Valley, Calif., 79.50
8. Rodolfo Ramos, Brazil, 78.75
9. Danilo Do Rosario, Brazil, 78.75
10. Ryan Sheckler, San Clemente, Calif., 78.00

In the Skateboard Street, Greg Lutzka defended his gold from last year with a score of 92.07 while recent Dew Tour winner Chaz Ortiz came in second.  Tyler Hendley took third.

In the Moto X Best Trick contest Jeremy Lush won first with Adam Jones and Todd Potter following.  Ronnie Renner scored the gold in Moto X Step Up.

Keep reading for the full breakdown of action from Saturday.

Americans Sweep Day One in Skateboard Street, Moto X Best Trick and Moto X Step Up in Day One at X Games Mexico
Palacio de los Deportes and Sold-Out Skateboard Street Venue Filled with Roaring Crowd

Mexico City, Mexico – The first day of competition at X Games Mexico kicked off in Mexico City today as an enthusiastic crowd of 10,730 greeted the world-class group of international athletes. Fans celebrated the second year of the event as they watched final competitions in Skateboard Street, Moto X Best Trick and Moto X Step Up at the Palacio de los Deportes.

“We are very pleased to bring X Games Mexico back to our city for a second consecutive year,” said Gerardo Casanova, managing director, ESPN Mexico. “The success of today’s events is proof of the ever-growing action sports fan-base in the city and I am looking forward to even more energy and excitement tomorrow.”

Skateboard Street Final
A sold out venue drew crowds of enthusiastic, cheering fans who filled the stands as skate competitors dazzled with spins, kickflips and gravity-defying tricks. The international lineup included athletes from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and the US. However, it was the Americans that swept the podium in the competition. Greg Lutzka defended his 2007 X Games Mexico gold medal by stomping tricks on virtually every course feature. His front side 270 noseblunt was what wowed the judges and earned him a winning score of 92.07.

“It’s really good to be back here in Mexico. I couldn’t believe how many people were out there cheering us on,” said Lutzka. “All these guys killed it, but Chaz Ortiz is the new kid to check out – you’ll be seeing more of him. Everyone treats us so well around the world at these different competitions and it’s just a pleasure to be here. I’m psyched.”

Silver medal went to 14-year-old Ortiz who showcased his smooth and aggressive style in an impressive run that included an ollie big spin over bump-to-bump and kickflip back lip over handrail.

“It’s my first time in Mexico City and my first X Games ever, so I couldn’t ask for anything more. It is an honor for me to be here,” said Ortiz on his podium finish. He finished with a score of 91.60.

First-time X Games Mexico competitor Tyler Hendley earned the bronze medal with a score of 85.47.

Moto X Best Trick
The sea of spectators shifted their focus to the arena as X Games 14 Best Trick silver medalist Jeremy Lusk dominated the Best Trick field with a kiss of death back flip. In his second X Games Mexico appearance, Lusk responded to the crowd’s cheers and earned a score of 92.00.

“It feels really good to win. The fans here are pumped up and appreciate that we’re here. I watched my opponents in practice today and stuck with tricks I knew I could land,” said Lusk on what gave him the advantage in today’s competition.

Adam Jones took home the silver medal with his second jump, a dead body backflip that earned him a score of 90.67, but also stunned the crowd with his first jump, his signature Shaolin backflip.

Todd Potter rounded out the competition with the bronze medal and a score of 90.00.

Moto X Step Up
Ronnie Renner edged out his competitors in his X Games Mexico debut as he successfully launched himself 9.14 meters (29.99 feet) into the air and over the bar.

“I came here to take the gold and wasn’t leaving Mexico City without it. People here are amazing, and it’s an honor to come here and ride for the people. To hear them cheering is a real inspiration to win,” said Renner.

X Games Mexico will wrap up tomorrow with BMX Freestyle Street, Moto X Freestyle and Best Whip finals.

Ryan Sheckler had something to prove after a fall last month knocked him out of a top-three finish in the AST Dew Tour for the first time ever.  He came back today with a win at the Wendy’s Invitation on a street-style course, with AST Dew Cup points leader Paul Rodriguez close behind in second.

From there, the field thinned out pretty quickly, with Greg Lutzka and Chaz Ortiz following.  Sheckler was coming off a big win at the X Games, showing that the injury that plagued him during the Right Guard Open was having less of an effect.

With the win Sheckler climbs back into the Dew Cup race and finds himself less than 20 points behind P-Rod for the lead.  Sheckler already has three Dew Cups on his mantle and can secure his fourth straight by winning out, or if P-Rod stumbles at all. Chaz Ortiz is mathematically in the race, but would need to win next month in Salt Lake City at the Toyota Challenge to stay in the running.

Keep reading for the final results.

Skate Park Final Results – Wendy’s Invitational
August 22, 2008 – Portland, OR

1st – Sheckler, Ryan – 90.10
2nd – Rodriguez, Paul – 87.25
3rd – Lutzka, Greg – 86.45
4th – Ortiz, Chaz – 85.70
5th – Colamonico, Kurtis – 83.65
6th – Seaholm, Austen – 79.70
7th – Mendes, Chris – 77.25
8th – do Rosario, Danilo – 76.50
9th – Santos, Fabrizio – 75.00
10th – Fuenzalida, Danny – 71.75
11th – Oliveira, Tulio – n/a
12th – Brummet, Dayne – n/a

AST Dew Tour: Dew Cup Current Standings
Skateboard Park Points

1. Paul Rodriguez, 270
2. Ryan Sheckler, 253
3. Chaz Ortiz, 230
4. Greg Lutzka, 215
5. Austen Seaholm, 179
6. Rodolfo Ramos, 142
7. Carlos De Andrade, 141
8. Chad Bartie, 135
9. Fabrizio Santos, 125
10. Chris Mendes, 108

“It’s all street style for us this time, all dedicated to street skateboarding, and that’s a good thing,” Fuenzalida said. “I like that they’re trying to emulate real street skating with the Jersey barriers and cement ledges. It’s giving the skate park a street look and it’s giving us a chance to do the kind of skateboarding we love most.”

Already prequalified for the final on Friday are AST Dew Cup points leader Paul Rodruguez, followed by Chaz Ortiz and X Games gold medalist Ryan Sheckler.  The finals will air Friday night on USA starting at midnight.

Here’s the lineup for Friday’s final (in order)

12. Tulio Oliveira
11. Kurtis Colamonico
10. Chris Mendes
9. Dayne Brummet
8. Danilo do Rosario
7. Austen Seaholm
6. Greg Lutzka
5. Fabrizio Santos
4. Danny Fuenzalida
3. Ryan Sheckler
2. Chaz Ortiz
1. Paul Rodriguez

Skate Park Prelim Results – Wendy’s Invitational
August 21, 2008 – Top Nine Advance

1st – Fuenzalida, Danny – 83.00
2nd – Santos, Fabrizio – 82.00
3rd – Lutzka, Greg – 81.75
4th – Seaholm, Austen – 81.75
5th – do Rosario, Danilo – 79.25
6th – Brummet, Dayne – 78.75
7th – Mendes, Chris – 78.75
8th – Colamonico, Kurtis – 78.25
9th – Oliveira, Tulio – 78.00
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
10th – De Andrade, Carlos – 77.50
11th – Rogers, Jereme – 76.75
12th – Ramos, Rodolfo – 76.00
13th – Bartie, Chad – 75.75
14th – Therres, Mathieu – 74.00
15th – Fernandez, Chad – 73.50
16th – Hyppolito, Fabio Sleiman – 72.00
17th – Jones, Rodney – 72.00
18th – Peterson, Mike – 71.75
20th – Sereika, Christian – 68.25
21st – Barr, Jason – 67.75
22nd – Koston, Eric – 60.25
23rd – Parent, Thomas – 59.25
24th – Ramos, Wagner – 50.25
25th – Cudlipp, Chris – 36.25

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.

Ryan Sheckler made history when he won the gold medal at X Games 9 in 2003.  He was 13 years old remains the youngest gold medalist ever.  Now he’s back on top after winning the Skate Street competition on Friday in Los Angeles over Paul Rodriguez and Greg Lutzka.

P-Rod has been on fire lately, with wins at the the Maloof Money Cup and AST Dew Tour’s Right Guard Open.  It was at the RGO that Sheckler reinjured his broken arm and fell out of the top 6 of an AST contest for the first time in his career.

Sheckler ruled two of the three jam sessions, stumbling slightly in the final stair obstacle, where Chris Cole (fourth) and P-Rod dominated.  But in the end Sheckler’s overall 92.00 would give him the honor.

Check out more about the win below plus full results.

Ryan Sheckler Dominates: Has Best Contest of His Life

“The fans make me skate better.” – Sheckler

LOS ANGELES- It was a hot day on top of the Event Deck at L.A. Live this afternoon as Sheckler, Cole, Paul Rodriguez and Greg Lutzka battled it out for one of the coveted podium positions in the Skateboard Street Men’s Final. In the end it was Sheckler who proved that he’s not only just a pretty face on T.V., but that he is also the best.

“This is the best contest I’ve ever won, the best I’ve ever felt, and the hardest I’ve ever skated.” he said with a smile.

Sheckler’s first heat, in which he earned himself a 94.00 (the highest score of the day), started off with a 180-kickflip off the 15-foot-high subway roof. He continued to one up himself a couple minutes later when he again impressed the crowd with a 360 kickflip off the roof. It was during the second heat though, that he got the crowd and his fellow skaters buzzing with excitement when he landed a caballero kickflip over the China gap.

Back in 2003 Sheckler was the youngest gold medalist in history, a title he still holds. Now, just barely an adult at age 18, Sheckler has regained the title of Skateboard Street champion.

“I’m in shock right now. I’ve been waiting since I was 13 to get back to the podium. I’m just at a loss for words,” he said.

Sheckler wasn’t going to clinch the gold without a fight from fellow skaters Paul Rodriguez, Greg Lutzka and Chris Cole. Cole was in the hot seat going into this competition as he was in the running for the first ever three-peat in Skateboard Street Men’s history. Although he was unable to put together enough of a run to reach the podium, he still finished in a respectable fourth place.

Both Rodriguez and Lutzka stayed on Sheckler’s heels throughout the three-heat final with consistent, big and technical tricks including Lutzka’s frontside frontflip off the roof of the subway station that helped earn him his bronze medal.

Silver medalist Rodriquez knew it would take a lot to compete against the stacked field today.

“Last year I gave up on my self before I even started the X Games. I came into this competition just super positive and told myself to go for it, and that’s what I did,” he stated.

The Men’s Skateboard action is just getting started. Check back tomorrow at 5:45 p.m. PT for the Men’s Skateboard Vert Final.

SKATEBOARD STREET  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)

Rank – Name – Session 1 – Session 2 – Session 3 – Score
1. Ryan Sheckler – 94.00 – 93.00 – 89.00: 92.00
2. Paul Rodriguez – 89.75 – 90.25 – 92.75: 90.91
3. Greg Lutzka – 91.75 – 85.50 – 85.25: 87.50
4. Chris Cole – 88.25 – 75.75 – 94.00: 86.00
5. Rodolfo Ramos – 85.50 – 77.00 – 83.25: 81.91
6. Jereme Rogers – 75.25 – 69.00 – 87.75: 77.33

This year’s finals will only have six skateboarders, unlike last year’s field of 10, so that meant some big names missed the cut, most notably Nyjah Huston, who placed seventh.  Check out the full results below.

MEN’S SKATEBOARD STREET SELECTION SESSION
Results from ESPN X GAMES 14 at the Event Deck at LA LIVE in LOS ANGELES on Thursday, July 31, 2008.

Chris Cole, last year’s Skateboard Street gold medalist, is pre-qualified for Friday’s Final. (Top five advance to the final.)

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.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
6. Adam Dyet / Salt Lake City, Utah
7. Nyjah Huston / Davis, Calif.
8. Darrell Stanton / Long Beach, Calif
9. Sean Malto / Kansas City, Kan.
10. Sierra Fellers / Whitefish, Mont.
11. Leo Romero / Fontana, Calif.
12. Nick Dompierre / New Bedford, Mass.
13. Mark Appleyard / Burlington, ON Canada
14. Eric Koston / Los Angeles, Calif.
15. Nick Trapasso / Phoenix, Ariz.
16. Johnny Layton / Murrietta, Calif.
17. Terry Kennedy / Long Beach, Calif.
18. Billy Marks / Corona, Calif.
19. Corey Duffel / Walnut Creek, Calif.

 Rodolfo Ramos | cr. AST

Rodolfo Ramos and Rodil Araujo Jr. led the Brazilians back to the top of the skate park prelims at the Right Guard Open in Cleveland, Thursday.  The two actually tied on the top of the leaderboard but Ramos was given the top qualifying spot thanks to a tie-breaker.

Greg Lutzka helped stop a sweep of the top three spots by edging Carlos De Andrade for third-place.  Fabrizio Santos rounded out the country’s representation by taking the 9th spot in qualifiers.  Rodolfo’s bro Wagner (19th) was among the six Brazilians to miss the cut.

Austen Seaholm, Chad Bartie and Mathieu Therres were among the non-Brazilians to advance to the finals, where Ryan Sheckler, Paul Rodriguez and Chaz Ortiz await as the top three pre-qualified for the finals.

The finals will take place Saturday and be webcast live on AST.com from 1-2 p.m. ET/10-11 a.m. PT.

Here’s the lineup for Saturday’s final (in order)

12. Fabrizio Santos
11. Mathieu Therres
10. Dayne Brummet
9. Chad Bartie
8. Austen Seaholm
7. Carlos De Andrade
6. Greg Lutzka
5. Rodil Araujo Jr.
4. Rodolfo Ramos
3. Chaz Ortiz
2. Paul Rodriguez
1. Ryan Sheckler

Skate Park Prelim Results – Right Guard Open
July 17, 2008 – Top Nine Advance

1st    Ramos, Rodolfo    86.5
2nd    Araujo Jr., Rodil    86.5
3rd    Lutzka, Greg    82.25
4th    De Andrade, Carlos    81.5
5th    Seaholm, Austen    81
6th    Bartie, Chad    79.25
7th    Brummet, Dayne    79
8th    Therres, Mathieu    78.5
9th    Santos, Fabrizio    78.25
———————————
10th    Fuenzalida, Danny    78.25
11th    Sereika, Christian    77
12th    Oliveira, Ricardo    77
13th    Barr, Jason    76.75
14th    do Rosario, Danilo    76.5
15th    Hyppolito, Fabio Sleiman    75.5
16th    Fernandez, Chad    74.75
17th    Colamonico, Kurtis    73.75
18th    Peterson, Mike    72
19th    Ramos, Wagner    71
20th    Cudlipp, Chris    69.75
21st    Grundy, Russell    69.5
22nd    Oliveira, Tulio    67.5
23rd    Fellers, Sierra    67.5
24th    Simonetto, Michell    64
25th    Jones, Rodney    62.5
26th    Kendall, Chris    57.75
27th    Mendes, Chris    50.25