Summer X Games 2009, day 3: Paul Rodriguez takes skateboarding street gold

Paul Rodriguez pulling a switchstance kickflip over a 12-step stair set
on the way to a gold medal in the 2009 X Games.
(Photo by Luiz Calado)

On the third day of 2009 X Games, much of the anticipation was aimed at the Men’s Street finals – and there was plenty of cause for that.

Last year’s gold medalist Ryan Sheckler was pre-qualified for the event so, aside from practice, no one had seen him skate yet.

Besides, just the weekend earlier, he had won the Dew Tour / Skate Open ISF World Skateboarding Championships (in Boston, MA), so all the expectation was indeed reasonable.

But there were another five very capable skaters in the mix and, under the searing SoCal sun, it was truly anybody’s game.

The soaring temperature did not seem to bother the crowd inside the Home Depot Center. The bleachers around the contest area were fully packed and the excitement was visible in every one of the spectators.

The street course features were sessioned in three separated heats. During each of the heats, the skaters were entitled to ten alternated attempts at specific features while being judged on the criteria of originality, difficulty, style, height, distance and execution.

Nyjah Huston switch ollie over the 12-step stair set.
(Photo by Luiz Calado)

Such format is obviously straightforward, easy on the judges and likely to be more accurate and impartial. At the same time, it produced a notably higher number of failed tries than successful ones, not to mention a limited variety of tricks per competitor, who usually try to land one maneuver before moving on to the next.

Ryan Sheckler being assisted by the medical crew
after injuring his right foot on a awkward landing.
(Photo by Luiz Calado)

The lower medals dispute was relatively evenhanded until heat #3 began. At one point, after taking on the 12-step stair, Sheckler landed awkwardly, injuring his right foot and had to depart from the arena for medical treatment.

With the defending champion out of the picture, the contest became a bit more foreseeable.

Nick Dompierre had qualified first in the prelims but struggled during heat #2 and a low score on that second session hurt his overall tally and he ended up in fifth place.

Brazilian Rodolfo Ramos was still within reach of a medal after rounds #1 and #2 but things didn’t work so well on #3 and, after all the math was done, he fell just one point short, finishing in fourth place.

Adam Dyet about to grab melon after kickflipping onto the bank.
(Photo by Luiz Calado)

Third belonged to Adam Dyet who replicated the bold performance that, just a few weeks ago, granted him a $10K award at the Maloof Money Cup (for best trick). Here at the X Games 15, despite the blatant differences in the course, Dyet once again confirmed he’s got mad skills: kickflip back lip, front bluntslide, kickflip back tail, and a kickflip melon onto the bank that drew blood but eventually got him the bronze.

Ahead of him came the dreadlocked yougster Nyjah Huston. The solemnity of his mane is duly outshined by his skateboarding talent: switch heel front board, kickflip front board, kick flip back lip, 360 flips, switch 5-0’s – all were worthy of the second place silver.

With the highest scores in all rounds of the final, Paul Rodriguez fully earned the first place gold.

P-Rod, who established himself as a household name after winning the X Games back to back in 2004 and 05, did it again. And this time with a switchstance vengeance: front feeble, kickflip front board, front 5-0, 360 flip… The list goes on (and would envy the likes of Bob Burnquist!).

But the day was not over yet for skateboarding.

Still left in the schedule of events was the Men’s Vert Finals – that is an entire different story.

;-)