The Top X Games Moments of 2017
The Top X Games Moments of 2017
From now through the new year, XGames.com and the "World of X Games" are celebrating the top moments of 2017, selected from across various X Games events that went down in 2017. Who won gold? What new tricks were thrown down? And what new events happened? From Aspen to Norway to Minneapolis, XGames.com presents the Top Moments of 2017.
From now through the new year, XGames.com and the "World of X Games" are celebrating the top moments of 2017, selected from across various X Games events that went down in 2017. Who won gold? What new tricks were thrown down? And what new events happened? From Aspen to Norway to Minneapolis, XGames.com presents the Top Moments of 2017.
10: Brock Hoyer, Snow BikeCross gold
At X Games Aspen 2017, a new discipline was introduced: Snow BikeCross, which will play an even larger role in 2018. Canadian Brock Hoyer entered X Games Aspen 2017 as the favorite and didn't disappoint, straight-up schooling a field partly made up of SnoCross and Moto X converts. Hoyer won by 12 seconds despite briefly dumping his snow bike, and helped introduce this new discipline to sports fans.
At X Games Aspen 2017, a new discipline was introduced: Snow BikeCross, which will play an even larger role in 2018. Canadian Brock Hoyer entered X Games Aspen 2017 as the favorite and didn't disappoint, straight-up schooling a field partly made up of SnoCross and Moto X converts. Hoyer won by 12 seconds despite briefly dumping his snow bike, and helped introduce this new discipline to sports fans.
9: Hailey Langland, Cab double cork 1080
At X Games Aspen 2017, Snowboard Big Air upstart Hailey Langland landed the first Cab double cork 1080 by a woman in competition. The trick was landed in her final attempt, scored a 49 and jumped her from 7th to gold. At age 16, Hailey was the youngest snowboarder competing at XG Aspen 2017. And on top of that, Langland landed the trick for the first time in practice earlier that day, saying she did it "by accident." It earned the No. 2 spot on that night's SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.
At X Games Aspen 2017, Snowboard Big Air upstart Hailey Langland landed the first Cab double cork 1080 by a woman in competition. The trick was landed in her final attempt, scored a 49 and jumped her from 7th to gold. At age 16, Hailey was the youngest snowboarder competing at XG Aspen 2017. And on top of that, Langland landed the trick for the first time in practice earlier that day, saying she did it "by accident." It earned the No. 2 spot on that night's SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.
8: Kelvin Hoefler, Men's SKB Street gold
At X Games Minneapolis 2017, Brazil's Kelvin Hoefler earned gold in his rookie appearance at an X Games. He was the first rookie to win Mens Skateboard Street gold, and his best trick was a frontside kickflip over the street course's Viking ship. After walking away with the gold medal, Hoefler ripped his shirt off in celebration.
At X Games Minneapolis 2017, Brazil's Kelvin Hoefler earned gold in his rookie appearance at an X Games. He was the first rookie to win Mens Skateboard Street gold, and his best trick was a frontside kickflip over the street course's Viking ship. After walking away with the gold medal, Hoefler ripped his shirt off in celebration.
7: Oystein Braaten, Ski Slopestyle double gold
Norway's Oystein Braaten won his first gold medal at X Games Aspen 2017 in Ski Slopestyle, then claimed gold in front of his home-country crowd at X Games Norway 2017. He was one of of just two to take two X Games gold in 2017 (including Levi Sherwood), and he became the third person to earn multiple Ski Slopestyle gold, alongside Tanner Hall and Nick Goepper.
Norway's Oystein Braaten won his first gold medal at X Games Aspen 2017 in Ski Slopestyle, then claimed gold in front of his home-country crowd at X Games Norway 2017. He was one of of just two to take two X Games gold in 2017 (including Levi Sherwood), and he became the third person to earn multiple Ski Slopestyle gold, alongside Tanner Hall and Nick Goepper.
6: Levi Sherwood, Three double backflips
At X Games Minneapolis 2017, Levi Sherwood upped the ante when he landed three double backflips in one run. No one ever had landed (or attempted) three double backflips in a single Freestyle run (at X Games or otherwise). The Kiwi went on to a double of a different sort: He also took Best Trick gold, becoming just the third person to earn Freestyle and Best Trick gold at the same X Games (Mike Metzger in 2002, Travis Pastrana in '06).
At X Games Minneapolis 2017, Levi Sherwood upped the ante when he landed three double backflips in one run. No one ever had landed (or attempted) three double backflips in a single Freestyle run (at X Games or otherwise). The Kiwi went on to a double of a different sort: He also took Best Trick gold, becoming just the third person to earn Freestyle and Best Trick gold at the same X Games (Mike Metzger in 2002, Travis Pastrana in '06).
5: Mathilde Gremaud, Switch double cork 1080
Probably the best trick ever thrown by a woman in a ski contest. Mathilde Gremaud's switch double cork 1080 safety grab wasn't the first landed by a woman at X Games (Lisa Zimmermann and Kaya Turski both did it at Aspen 2017), but it was easily the most corked out. How great was Mathilde's trick? It scored a perfect 50. Combined with the 43 she tallied for a pretty bio 900, the Swiss struck gold at her first X Games. The X Games Norway Women's Ski Big Air contest has been described as the best contest in women's skiing history.
Probably the best trick ever thrown by a woman in a ski contest. Mathilde Gremaud's switch double cork 1080 safety grab wasn't the first landed by a woman at X Games (Lisa Zimmermann and Kaya Turski both did it at Aspen 2017), but it was easily the most corked out. How great was Mathilde's trick? It scored a perfect 50. Combined with the 43 she tallied for a pretty bio 900, the Swiss struck gold at her first X Games. The X Games Norway Women's Ski Big Air contest has been described as the best contest in women's skiing history.
4: Joe Parsons, SMB Freestyle gold
At X Games Aspen 2017, Joe Parsons' Volt body varial, the last trick of his second run, helped propel him to his second consecutive SMB Freestyle gold. It was the first time the Volt had been landed in snowmobile competition and only the third time Parsons had landed it. Once known to play it safe (relatively) and only attempt tricks he had on lock, Parsons stepped outside his comfort zone. Sitting in second place at the start of his final run, the last run of the entire comp, he knew he needed something special to rip gold from Colten Moore.
At X Games Aspen 2017, Joe Parsons' Volt body varial, the last trick of his second run, helped propel him to his second consecutive SMB Freestyle gold. It was the first time the Volt had been landed in snowmobile competition and only the third time Parsons had landed it. Once known to play it safe (relatively) and only attempt tricks he had on lock, Parsons stepped outside his comfort zone. Sitting in second place at the start of his final run, the last run of the entire comp, he knew he needed something special to rip gold from Colten Moore.
3: Brighton Zeuner, Womenâs SKB Park gold
In run 1 of Women's Skateboard Park at X Games Minneapolis 2017, Brighton Zeuner scored her first gold medal run, becoming the youngest gold medalist in X Games history at age 13, breaking a 14-year-old record -- the record was older than she is. Her 13th birthday was on Friday, July 14. She won gold on Saturday, July 15. That's one great birthday present.
In run 1 of Women's Skateboard Park at X Games Minneapolis 2017, Brighton Zeuner scored her first gold medal run, becoming the youngest gold medalist in X Games history at age 13, breaking a 14-year-old record -- the record was older than she is. Her 13th birthday was on Friday, July 14. She won gold on Saturday, July 15. That's one great birthday present.
2: Marcus Kleveland, Quadruple cork
At X Games Aspen 2017, Marcus Kleveland landed the first quadruple cork done in competition history: a backside quad cork 1800 mute grab. It came in run 3, scored a 45 and helped Marcus to silver. Eventual gold medalist Max Parrot landed a quad underflip at the end of run 3. Mark McMorris attempted a quad cork -- his first attempt ever at a quad -- in run 4 but couldnt stick it. The Norwegian went on to take gold in SBD Slopestyle two days later.
At X Games Aspen 2017, Marcus Kleveland landed the first quadruple cork done in competition history: a backside quad cork 1800 mute grab. It came in run 3, scored a 45 and helped Marcus to silver. Eventual gold medalist Max Parrot landed a quad underflip at the end of run 3. Mark McMorris attempted a quad cork -- his first attempt ever at a quad -- in run 4 but couldnt stick it. The Norwegian went on to take gold in SBD Slopestyle two days later.
1: James Foster, BMX Big Air gold
At X Games Minneapolis 2017, BMX Big Air competitor James Foster landed a competition first: The Backflip triple tailwhip on the gap to barspin to triple downside tailwhip on the quarterpipe. The trick was done in his fourth and final run. He won his first X Games gold medal with it. And it was so good that it even made SportsCenter's Top Plays for the entire month of July. Tune into the Top Moments of 2017 on ABC's "World of X Games" on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. ET.
At X Games Minneapolis 2017, BMX Big Air competitor James Foster landed a competition first: The Backflip triple tailwhip on the gap to barspin to triple downside tailwhip on the quarterpipe. The trick was done in his fourth and final run. He won his first X Games gold medal with it. And it was so good that it even made SportsCenter's Top Plays for the entire month of July. Tune into the Top Moments of 2017 on ABC's "World of X Games" on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. ET.
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