Who's skating at X Games Oslo 2016?
Welcome to Oslo
This month, ESPN, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 and the city of Oslo will be bringing X Games to Norway for X Games Oslo. For the first time, the event will feature skateboarding along with skiing and snowboarding and world-class music acts. Although it's going to be snowy and cold outside (as evidenced by Gard Hvaara skating the streets of Oslo here), the competitions for X Games Oslo Skateboard Street will be contested in an indoor venue with a course built by California RampWorks. Here's an inside look at the assortment of competitors invited to compete in both Men's and Women's Skateboard Street.
This month, ESPN, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 and the city of Oslo will be bringing X Games to Norway for X Games Oslo. For the first time, the event will feature skateboarding along with skiing and snowboarding and world-class music acts. Although it's going to be snowy and cold outside (as evidenced by Gard Hvaara skating the streets of Oslo here), the competitions for X Games Oslo Skateboard Street will be contested in an indoor venue with a course built by California RampWorks. Here's an inside look at the assortment of competitors invited to compete in both Men's and Women's Skateboard Street.
Women's Street: Lacey Baker
In Round 1 of Women's Skateboard Street at X Games Austin 2015, Lacey Baker, 25, cleaned up and walked away with first place. But once the finals arrived, Baker failed to replicate her success and finished in fifth place. This year, Baker is back, with her eyes on the gold medal, sort of. She divides her time between a full-time job, making video parts and pushing her skating on a personal level but still enjoys the competitive atmosphere. Baker will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
In Round 1 of Women's Skateboard Street at X Games Austin 2015, Lacey Baker, 25, cleaned up and walked away with first place. But once the finals arrived, Baker failed to replicate her success and finished in fifth place. This year, Baker is back, with her eyes on the gold medal, sort of. She divides her time between a full-time job, making video parts and pushing her skating on a personal level but still enjoys the competitive atmosphere. Baker will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Women's Street: Leticia Bufoni
Leticia Bufoni, 22, finished just off the podium at X Games Austin 2015, in fourth place, but competitions are the tip of the iceberg for her contributions within skateboarding. She's the first woman pro on the Nike SB team, the first woman skateboarder to grace the cover of The Skateboard Mag, and the first woman skateboarder to appear in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue. And if that's not enough, she recently completed filming for a Brazilian lifestyle television series titled "Leticia Let's Go." Bufoni will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Leticia Bufoni, 22, finished just off the podium at X Games Austin 2015, in fourth place, but competitions are the tip of the iceberg for her contributions within skateboarding. She's the first woman pro on the Nike SB team, the first woman skateboarder to grace the cover of The Skateboard Mag, and the first woman skateboarder to appear in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue. And if that's not enough, she recently completed filming for a Brazilian lifestyle television series titled "Leticia Let's Go." Bufoni will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Curren Caples
Curren Caples, 20, is probably best known for his Skateboard Park skills, but those translate easily to the streets for the Flip Skateboards pro. Caples took gold in Skateboard Park at X Games Austin 2015, and also released full-length video parts in both the Vans "Propellor" video and The Berrics "In Transition" series. He's also a fierce competitor. "You can be the best skater in the world, but if you don't have any strategy, it doesn't matter," Caples says. Caples will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Curren Caples, 20, is probably best known for his Skateboard Park skills, but those translate easily to the streets for the Flip Skateboards pro. Caples took gold in Skateboard Park at X Games Austin 2015, and also released full-length video parts in both the Vans "Propellor" video and The Berrics "In Transition" series. He's also a fierce competitor. "You can be the best skater in the world, but if you don't have any strategy, it doesn't matter," Caples says. Caples will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: David Gonzalez
David Gonzalez, 25, doesn't just have amazing skateboard skills going for him, he's also a shredder on the guitar, and plays in a Long Beach, California-based thrash skate band Ratt Black (which released its first full-length album in December). Originally from Colombia, Gonzalez was named the 2012 Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year, and although he's not typically known as a contest skater, he can definitely hang with the pack of pros invited to skate in Oslo. Gonzalez will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
David Gonzalez, 25, doesn't just have amazing skateboard skills going for him, he's also a shredder on the guitar, and plays in a Long Beach, California-based thrash skate band Ratt Black (which released its first full-length album in December). Originally from Colombia, Gonzalez was named the 2012 Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year, and although he's not typically known as a contest skater, he can definitely hang with the pack of pros invited to skate in Oslo. Gonzalez will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Riley Hawk
Riley Hawk, 23, might have one of the most legendary skateboarders ever as a father (Tony Hawk), but the younger Hawk holds his own on the streets. As a professional team rider for Baker Skateboards and Lakai Footwear, Riley Hawk has released a handful of progressive video parts, and claims a signature shoe from Lakai (in which his father skates). He's also one of the only skaters invited to Oslo that has collaborated on a signature design car with Scion. Hawk will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Riley Hawk, 23, might have one of the most legendary skateboarders ever as a father (Tony Hawk), but the younger Hawk holds his own on the streets. As a professional team rider for Baker Skateboards and Lakai Footwear, Riley Hawk has released a handful of progressive video parts, and claims a signature shoe from Lakai (in which his father skates). He's also one of the only skaters invited to Oslo that has collaborated on a signature design car with Scion. Hawk will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Nyjah Huston
Nyjah Huston is without a doubt one of the most dominant and consistent competitive street skateboarders in the world, but he's just as comfortable in front of the camera producing video parts. Huston has won more prize money than any other skateboarder in history, and swept the year in 2014, winning Tampa Pro, X Games and Street League. After another gold medal at X Games Austin 2015, Huston released another groundbreaking video part and made the switch to the Nike SB team. Now 21, he's ready to dominate 2016. Huston will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Nyjah Huston is without a doubt one of the most dominant and consistent competitive street skateboarders in the world, but he's just as comfortable in front of the camera producing video parts. Huston has won more prize money than any other skateboarder in history, and swept the year in 2014, winning Tampa Pro, X Games and Street League. After another gold medal at X Games Austin 2015, Huston released another groundbreaking video part and made the switch to the Nike SB team. Now 21, he's ready to dominate 2016. Huston will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Karsten Kleppan
Karsten Kleppan, 25, is technically local to Oslo, but in recent years, he has traveled the world filming for the Nike SB Chronicles Volume 3, which featured Kleppan's technical mastery of the curved handrail in the U.S. and throughout Europe and Asia. In addition to Nike SB, Kleppan skates for Skate Mental (which turned him pro earlier this year) and competed in the Street League Open last year. Kleppan will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Karsten Kleppan, 25, is technically local to Oslo, but in recent years, he has traveled the world filming for the Nike SB Chronicles Volume 3, which featured Kleppan's technical mastery of the curved handrail in the U.S. and throughout Europe and Asia. In addition to Nike SB, Kleppan skates for Skate Mental (which turned him pro earlier this year) and competed in the Street League Open last year. Kleppan will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Louie Lopez
Louie Lopez, 21, turned pro alongside Curren Caples in 2013 for the Flip Skateboards brand, and in the time since, has picked up additional pro deals from brands such as Converse and Rockstar Energy, among others. The Hawthorne, California native was added to the Street League lineup in 2015, and is poised to do well in Oslo. Lopez will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Louie Lopez, 21, turned pro alongside Curren Caples in 2013 for the Flip Skateboards brand, and in the time since, has picked up additional pro deals from brands such as Converse and Rockstar Energy, among others. The Hawthorne, California native was added to the Street League lineup in 2015, and is poised to do well in Oslo. Lopez will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Alec Majerus
Alec Majerus, 21, is no stranger to the cold of Oslo. The Rochester, Minnesota native braved many winters to skate before making the move to Long Beach, California. Luckily, the competition is inside. Majerus, who is pro for Flip Skateboards, Adidas, Volcom and Rockstar, among others, is no stranger to competition, and has bested the likes of Chris Cole, Ishod Wair and Luan Oliveira. Majerus will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Alec Majerus, 21, is no stranger to the cold of Oslo. The Rochester, Minnesota native braved many winters to skate before making the move to Long Beach, California. Luckily, the competition is inside. Majerus, who is pro for Flip Skateboards, Adidas, Volcom and Rockstar, among others, is no stranger to competition, and has bested the likes of Chris Cole, Ishod Wair and Luan Oliveira. Majerus will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Luan Oliveira
Luan Oliveira, 25, grew up in the favelas of Brazil, and started skating at age 9. Via YouTube clips, Oliveira's footage reached the powers that be at Flip Skateboards, who helped the young skater make the move to the U.S. in 2007. Since then, he has turned pro, taken four medals in X Games competition, and released technically groundbreaking parts for Flip. He's also one of the few skateboarders in the world to best Nyjah Huston in competition. Oliveira will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Luan Oliveira, 25, grew up in the favelas of Brazil, and started skating at age 9. Via YouTube clips, Oliveira's footage reached the powers that be at Flip Skateboards, who helped the young skater make the move to the U.S. in 2007. Since then, he has turned pro, taken four medals in X Games competition, and released technically groundbreaking parts for Flip. He's also one of the few skateboarders in the world to best Nyjah Huston in competition. Oliveira will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Shane O'Neill
Shane O'Neill is a 26-year-old Aussie ripper known for video game-like technical combos, a soft-spoken demeanor and gentle personality. He partnered with Nike at age 14 and has been strategic about choosing sponsors ever since, including his recent move to Primitive Skateboards in December. Although O'Neill wants to concentrate more on filming in 2016, he's making the trip to Oslo to throw down against the best. O'Neill will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Shane O'Neill is a 26-year-old Aussie ripper known for video game-like technical combos, a soft-spoken demeanor and gentle personality. He partnered with Nike at age 14 and has been strategic about choosing sponsors ever since, including his recent move to Primitive Skateboards in December. Although O'Neill wants to concentrate more on filming in 2016, he's making the trip to Oslo to throw down against the best. O'Neill will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Women's Street: Pamela Rosa
Pamela Rosa is a 16-year-old Brazilian skater who is fast becoming one of the stars of the women's street field. She skates fast with a clean style and can hold her own on rails. She also has a nice bag of flip tricks, and squeezes in practice time between high school classes in Sao Paulo. Rosa took a silver medal at X Games Austin in 2014 and competed in Street League in 2015. With support from Ammo Skateboards and Nike SB, the sky is the limit for Rosa, who will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Pamela Rosa is a 16-year-old Brazilian skater who is fast becoming one of the stars of the women's street field. She skates fast with a clean style and can hold her own on rails. She also has a nice bag of flip tricks, and squeezes in practice time between high school classes in Sao Paulo. Rosa took a silver medal at X Games Austin in 2014 and competed in Street League in 2015. With support from Ammo Skateboards and Nike SB, the sky is the limit for Rosa, who will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Women's Street: Alexis Sablone
Alexis Sablone is one busy woman: She's a pro skater, recently completed graduate school at MIT and also appeared in the seminal classic video "PJ Ladd's Wonderful Horrible Life." The 29-year-old might have limited skate time, but she does have four X Games medals, including two gold and two silver, and is one of the most dominant female skateboarders in the world, despite not enjoying competitions too much. Sablone will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Alexis Sablone is one busy woman: She's a pro skater, recently completed graduate school at MIT and also appeared in the seminal classic video "PJ Ladd's Wonderful Horrible Life." The 29-year-old might have limited skate time, but she does have four X Games medals, including two gold and two silver, and is one of the most dominant female skateboarders in the world, despite not enjoying competitions too much. Sablone will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Ryan Sheckler
At age 13, Ryan Sheckler won his first X Games gold medal in Skateboard Park at X Games 2003. Since then, Sheckler has progressed from grom to elder statesman in the world of Skateboard Street. After a long-running reality series on MTV, Sheckler, 26, focused his energy on Plan B's "True" video, which was released in December 2014. At X Games Austin 2015, Sheckler took home the bronze medal in Skateboard Street, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Sheckler will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
At age 13, Ryan Sheckler won his first X Games gold medal in Skateboard Park at X Games 2003. Since then, Sheckler has progressed from grom to elder statesman in the world of Skateboard Street. After a long-running reality series on MTV, Sheckler, 26, focused his energy on Plan B's "True" video, which was released in December 2014. At X Games Austin 2015, Sheckler took home the bronze medal in Skateboard Street, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Sheckler will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Women's Street: Alana Smith
Alana Smith, 15, first started competing at X Games in 2013, and took home a silver medal in her first X Games appearance. In the time since, she has grown a steady base of Instagram followers in between skating both park and street. Smith has a pro board out via Hoopla Skateboards, and is eager to compete in Oslo. "So hyped for the invite, I can't wait," Smith said after receiving her invitation. Smith will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Alana Smith, 15, first started competing at X Games in 2013, and took home a silver medal in her first X Games appearance. In the time since, she has grown a steady base of Instagram followers in between skating both park and street. Smith has a pro board out via Hoopla Skateboards, and is eager to compete in Oslo. "So hyped for the invite, I can't wait," Smith said after receiving her invitation. Smith will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Women's Street: Vanessa Torres
X Games Skateboard Street veteran Vanessa Torres, 29, won the inaugural Women's Park competition in 2003, and remains an outspoken member of the women's skateboarding community. After years with the brand Element Skateboards, Torres joined Meow Skateboards. Torres now considers herself able to guide the future generations of female skateboarders through the rigors of the skateboard industry. Torres will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
X Games Skateboard Street veteran Vanessa Torres, 29, won the inaugural Women's Park competition in 2003, and remains an outspoken member of the women's skateboarding community. After years with the brand Element Skateboards, Torres joined Meow Skateboards. Torres now considers herself able to guide the future generations of female skateboarders through the rigors of the skateboard industry. Torres will skate in Women's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Men's Street: Ishod Wair
Ishod Wair, 24, has yet to excel at X Games, but it's not for a lack of talent. The lanky ripper from New Jersey has the ability to skate anything in front of him, from smooth and stylish transition skills to big rails to technical ledge tricks. In December, Wair released a video part for the local video "Told Ya." More recently, Wair landed on the March 2016 cover of TransWorld Skateboarding. Wair will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.
Ishod Wair, 24, has yet to excel at X Games, but it's not for a lack of talent. The lanky ripper from New Jersey has the ability to skate anything in front of him, from smooth and stylish transition skills to big rails to technical ledge tricks. In December, Wair released a video part for the local video "Told Ya." More recently, Wair landed on the March 2016 cover of TransWorld Skateboarding. Wair will skate in Men's Skateboard Street on Thursday at X Games Oslo.