Qualifying for X Games: Skatelite's Vert Mission
Getting into the X Games
Since the beginning of the X Games, Skateboard and BMX Vert has been contested, pitting the best of the best against each other on one of the best vert ramps in the world. This year, X Games left the invite spots up to a Vert Qualifier, held at the Clairemont Skatepark in San Diego, California, with the world's best vert BMXers and skaters battling it out for X Games invite spots. What follows is a look inside the Skatelite Vert Mission.
Since the beginning of the X Games, Skateboard and BMX Vert has been contested, pitting the best of the best against each other on one of the best vert ramps in the world. This year, X Games left the invite spots up to a Vert Qualifier, held at the Clairemont Skatepark in San Diego, California, with the world's best vert BMXers and skaters battling it out for X Games invite spots. What follows is a look inside the Skatelite Vert Mission.
Andy Mac is back
This is Andy Macdonald's local vert ramp, and he let it be known during prelims and finals. In the end, moves like this front blunt helped Andy Mac secure an invite back into the X Games.
This is Andy Macdonald's local vert ramp, and he let it be known during prelims and finals. In the end, moves like this front blunt helped Andy Mac secure an invite back into the X Games.
Get Buck
In the skate category, local Bucky Lasek took the win and an X Games Minneapolis 2017 invite with ease, thanks in part to moves like this McTwist.
In the skate category, local Bucky Lasek took the win and an X Games Minneapolis 2017 invite with ease, thanks in part to moves like this McTwist.
He's not a slob
Despite the name of this air (slob air), Bucky Lasek cleaned up.
Despite the name of this air (slob air), Bucky Lasek cleaned up.
Skate generations
Bucky Lasek (left) and Tate Carew (right) wait their turn on the deck of the vert ramp.
Bucky Lasek (left) and Tate Carew (right) wait their turn on the deck of the vert ramp.
Not stale at all
Clay Kreiner, stale slide into second place and an X Games Skateboard Vert invite.
Clay Kreiner, stale slide into second place and an X Games Skateboard Vert invite.
Brusco is in
Mitchie Brusco already had a Skateboard Big Air invite to X Games, but he just grabbed another invite to X Games Skateboard Vert with his third place finish at the Skatelite Vert Mission. Here, Brusco kickflip melon grabs his way to third.
Mitchie Brusco already had a Skateboard Big Air invite to X Games, but he just grabbed another invite to X Games Skateboard Vert with his third place finish at the Skatelite Vert Mission. Here, Brusco kickflip melon grabs his way to third.
BMX on deck
It wasn't just skateboarders getting in on the action, BMX Vert was also contested, with three lucky finishers grabbing X Games invite. Here, Mykel Larrin twists a lookback en route to third place and an X Games invite.
It wasn't just skateboarders getting in on the action, BMX Vert was also contested, with three lucky finishers grabbing X Games invite. Here, Mykel Larrin twists a lookback en route to third place and an X Games invite.
Larrin at height
Clearly, riding with Jamie Bestwick has rubbed off on Mykel Larrin the trick department. Here, Larrin stretches a topside no-footed cancan.
Clearly, riding with Jamie Bestwick has rubbed off on Mykel Larrin the trick department. Here, Larrin stretches a topside no-footed cancan.
Shaka bro
Mike "Hucker" Clark already has an X Games invite for BMX Dirt, but tried his luck at BMX Vert as well. He didn't break the top five, but he definitely treated the parking lot to a few grip rides.
Mike "Hucker" Clark already has an X Games invite for BMX Dirt, but tried his luck at BMX Vert as well. He didn't break the top five, but he definitely treated the parking lot to a few grip rides.
PLG on injured reserve
Pierre-Luc Gagnon was on hand (he's a local) but was unable to compete due to a broken ankle. Gagnon still has not secured an invite, so there's no telling if we might see him skating at X Games Minneapolis 2017. Let's keep our fingers crossed though.
Pierre-Luc Gagnon was on hand (he's a local) but was unable to compete due to a broken ankle. Gagnon still has not secured an invite, so there's no telling if we might see him skating at X Games Minneapolis 2017. Let's keep our fingers crossed though.
High five!
Simon Tabron already secured an invite to X Games Minneapolis 2017, but decided to warm up his competition runs anyway and landed in second place in the finals. Tabron's ability to spin, including this one-handed 540, are untouched by any other riders on the vert ramp.
Simon Tabron already secured an invite to X Games Minneapolis 2017, but decided to warm up his competition runs anyway and landed in second place in the finals. Tabron's ability to spin, including this one-handed 540, are untouched by any other riders on the vert ramp.
BMX podium
BMX podium, from left to right: Mykel Larrin (third place), Vince Byron (first place) and Dylan and Simon Tabron (second place).
BMX podium, from left to right: Mykel Larrin (third place), Vince Byron (first place) and Dylan and Simon Tabron (second place).
Skate winners
Skate winners, from left to right: Bucky Lasek (first place), Clay Kreiner (second place), Mitchie Brusco (third place), Marcelo Bastos (fourth place) and Andy Macdonald (fifth place). Look for all of these skaters to be shredding the vert ramp at X Games Minneapolis 2017.
Skate winners, from left to right: Bucky Lasek (first place), Clay Kreiner (second place), Mitchie Brusco (third place), Marcelo Bastos (fourth place) and Andy Macdonald (fifth place). Look for all of these skaters to be shredding the vert ramp at X Games Minneapolis 2017.
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