Top moments and photos from X Games Norway 2018
That's a wrap
X Games Norway has just wrapped up its third year of competition, music and good times. We love the city of Oslo in the Spring, when the sun never stops shining. While we're waiting for next year's event to roll around again, check out this gallery full of photo highlights from the weekend.
X Games Norway has just wrapped up its third year of competition, music and good times. We love the city of Oslo in the Spring, when the sun never stops shining. While we're waiting for next year's event to roll around again, check out this gallery full of photo highlights from the weekend.
Back-to-back
In his first-ever X Games appearance, in Minneapolis in 2017, Kelvin Hoefler claimed his first-ever medal, a gold. In his second X Games appearance, here in Norway, he qualified first for the final and then proceeded to dominate the field, winning his second medal, also a gold.
In his first-ever X Games appearance, in Minneapolis in 2017, Kelvin Hoefler claimed his first-ever medal, a gold. In his second X Games appearance, here in Norway, he qualified first for the final and then proceeded to dominate the field, winning his second medal, also a gold.
Lucky
When Kelvin Hoefler won gold in Minneapolis, he ripped off his shirt. He says he's not doing that again. Ever. For this gold-medal win, he gave his skateboard to a fan, which is a pretty big deal considering that you can't even buy his board in stores yet. Hoefler's new skateboard company, Colours, which he started with Paul Hart, goes into production some time this year.
When Kelvin Hoefler won gold in Minneapolis, he ripped off his shirt. He says he's not doing that again. Ever. For this gold-medal win, he gave his skateboard to a fan, which is a pretty big deal considering that you can't even buy his board in stores yet. Hoefler's new skateboard company, Colours, which he started with Paul Hart, goes into production some time this year.
Nordic Qualifier
Special for X Games Norway, the Nordic Qualifier was an all-Scandinavian competition featuring skateboarders from Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The top finisher won an entry into the Men's Skateboard Street final that took place right after the Qualifier wrapped up. This is Jonas Carlsson, one of two Norwegians in the contest, getting in some pre-comp practice.
Special for X Games Norway, the Nordic Qualifier was an all-Scandinavian competition featuring skateboarders from Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The top finisher won an entry into the Men's Skateboard Street final that took place right after the Qualifier wrapped up. This is Jonas Carlsson, one of two Norwegians in the contest, getting in some pre-comp practice.
Wildcard
Finland's Jaakko Ojanen electrified his fellow skateboarders during practice, and rarely fell of his board during his three runs in the Nordic Qualifiers, where he easily secured the wildcard entry into the Men's Skateboard Street final with a win. Then he got a little tired and couldn't stay on his board as gracefully as he'd been doing earlier in the day, and finished eighth. But that's okay. We'll be seeing him again. Look for his part in the next Element video.
Finland's Jaakko Ojanen electrified his fellow skateboarders during practice, and rarely fell of his board during his three runs in the Nordic Qualifiers, where he easily secured the wildcard entry into the Men's Skateboard Street final with a win. Then he got a little tired and couldn't stay on his board as gracefully as he'd been doing earlier in the day, and finished eighth. But that's okay. We'll be seeing him again. Look for his part in the next Element video.
SPoT
Whether he was, as skate announcer Gary Rogers put it, going through his "Justin Bieber black phase," or just extremely proud of his new tattoo -- featuring a Skatepark of Tampa logo and the years he won both the Tampa Am and Pro contests -- Jagger Eaton didn't seem to put a shirt on all weekend. Maybe it's the key to his success: He took home silver in the Men's Skateboard Street final on Sunday.
Whether he was, as skate announcer Gary Rogers put it, going through his "Justin Bieber black phase," or just extremely proud of his new tattoo -- featuring a Skatepark of Tampa logo and the years he won both the Tampa Am and Pro contests -- Jagger Eaton didn't seem to put a shirt on all weekend. Maybe it's the key to his success: He took home silver in the Men's Skateboard Street final on Sunday.
Viva Brasil
Brazil represented heavy in the skateboarding competitions this weekend -- first with Leticia Bufoni winning Women's Skateboard Street, then Kelvin Hoefler winning Men's Skateboard Street, and finishing up with this guy right here, Felipe Gustavo, taking home the bronze.
Brazil represented heavy in the skateboarding competitions this weekend -- first with Leticia Bufoni winning Women's Skateboard Street, then Kelvin Hoefler winning Men's Skateboard Street, and finishing up with this guy right here, Felipe Gustavo, taking home the bronze.
Eyes wide open
Norway's Hermann Stene looked a little overwhelmed by the crowd during Sunday's Men's Skateboard Street final, but he managed to smile through the bewilderment and put on a good show anyway.
Norway's Hermann Stene looked a little overwhelmed by the crowd during Sunday's Men's Skateboard Street final, but he managed to smile through the bewilderment and put on a good show anyway.
Early bird
Kelvin Hoefler was the first one in to the Skur 13 skate venue every practice session. The only person who put in almost as much work was Jagger Eaton. Given the way they both finished, perhaps there's something to their strategy?
Kelvin Hoefler was the first one in to the Skur 13 skate venue every practice session. The only person who put in almost as much work was Jagger Eaton. Given the way they both finished, perhaps there's something to their strategy?
Saturday at X Games Norway
Day two of X Games Norway 2018 brought winter to the city, with an event card chock full of Women's and Men's Ski and Snowboard competitions, plus a mini music festival thrown in on the side. Here, 15-year-old Swedish skier Jennie-Lee Burmansson is seen reacting to winning Ski Big Air gold in her X Games debut.
Day two of X Games Norway 2018 brought winter to the city, with an event card chock full of Women's and Men's Ski and Snowboard competitions, plus a mini music festival thrown in on the side. Here, 15-year-old Swedish skier Jennie-Lee Burmansson is seen reacting to winning Ski Big Air gold in her X Games debut.
Snow in summer
Located at the former site of the old Oslo airport, the big air jump is a scaffolding beast of epic proportions. Competitors start from a platform 133 feet from the ground and hit a gap that measures 59 feet to the knuckle and roughly 72 feet to the "sweet spot" landing. Here, Kai Mahler gives us a little size perspective.
Located at the former site of the old Oslo airport, the big air jump is a scaffolding beast of epic proportions. Competitors start from a platform 133 feet from the ground and hit a gap that measures 59 feet to the knuckle and roughly 72 feet to the "sweet spot" landing. Here, Kai Mahler gives us a little size perspective.
Svend it
X Games Norway 2017 Slopestyle gold medalist, Sven Thorgren, sustained a collarbone injury and had to get surgery in January, which kept him out of XG Aspen 2018 and the 2018 Olympics. He's fully healed now, but having to sit out a season's worth of heavy competition may have contributed to his not making the Snowboard Big Air final on Saturday. He still held it down for Scandinavia.
X Games Norway 2017 Slopestyle gold medalist, Sven Thorgren, sustained a collarbone injury and had to get surgery in January, which kept him out of XG Aspen 2018 and the 2018 Olympics. He's fully healed now, but having to sit out a season's worth of heavy competition may have contributed to his not making the Snowboard Big Air final on Saturday. He still held it down for Scandinavia.
Cheering section
Women's Snowboard Big Air silver medalist, Julia Marino, cheers as 13-year-old Kokomo Murase lands a double cork 1080 on the last jump of the competition to take gold. Murase, an X Games rookie, also made history earlier in the contest by becoming the first woman to land a backside double cork 1260 mute.
Women's Snowboard Big Air silver medalist, Julia Marino, cheers as 13-year-old Kokomo Murase lands a double cork 1080 on the last jump of the competition to take gold. Murase, an X Games rookie, also made history earlier in the contest by becoming the first woman to land a backside double cork 1260 mute.
Style master
It is not often that you see Henrik Harlaut occupy any place but the top spot on an X Games Big Air podium, but on Saturday night in Oslo, that's exactly what happened. The last skier to drop in the contest, Harlaut had his chance to nail a trick to take gold, but he didn't land it and walked away with silver instead.
It is not often that you see Henrik Harlaut occupy any place but the top spot on an X Games Big Air podium, but on Saturday night in Oslo, that's exactly what happened. The last skier to drop in the contest, Harlaut had his chance to nail a trick to take gold, but he didn't land it and walked away with silver instead.
Lemaitre featuring Dagny
With nine musical acts booked, you could say that X Games Norway 2018 has been as much a music festival as it has been a marathon of competition. Fans never had to choose between music and action on Saturday, however, as the stage was set up just opposite of the Big Air jump. Featured here, Oslo's own Lemaitre brought their signature brass section and invited fellow countrywomen Dagny on stage for part of their set.
With nine musical acts booked, you could say that X Games Norway 2018 has been as much a music festival as it has been a marathon of competition. Fans never had to choose between music and action on Saturday, however, as the stage was set up just opposite of the Big Air jump. Featured here, Oslo's own Lemaitre brought their signature brass section and invited fellow countrywomen Dagny on stage for part of their set.
Heavy metal
Norwegian Birk Ruud got into X Games Norway 2017 as an alternate, but didn't quite make the podium. All that changed on Saturday when the Oslo native won gold in a hotly-contested Men's Ski Big Air event in front of his family, friends and a hometown crowd.
Norwegian Birk Ruud got into X Games Norway 2017 as an alternate, but didn't quite make the podium. All that changed on Saturday when the Oslo native won gold in a hotly-contested Men's Ski Big Air event in front of his family, friends and a hometown crowd.
Stepping up
Snowboarding bar-raiser Anna Gasser landed a solid Cab double underflip on her first run and it looked like the contest was hers. Two crashes later had the two-time X Games Slopestyle gold medalist and Transworld Snowboarding's Rider of the Year watching the rest of the field step up the level of women's competition snowboarding from the athlete corral below.
Snowboarding bar-raiser Anna Gasser landed a solid Cab double underflip on her first run and it looked like the contest was hers. Two crashes later had the two-time X Games Slopestyle gold medalist and Transworld Snowboarding's Rider of the Year watching the rest of the field step up the level of women's competition snowboarding from the athlete corral below.
Runner up
All Marcus Kleveland had to do to win Men's Snowboard Big Air was get a 45 on his last jump. (We kid, a 45 out of 50 isn't exactly easy.) But he crashed on his landing, ceding the gold to X Games rookie Takeru Otsuka, who got an invite by winning the World Rookie Tour Slopestyle event in April, then proceeded to qualify first in Big Air Saturday morning in Oslo and come back in the evening to win the whole thing.
All Marcus Kleveland had to do to win Men's Snowboard Big Air was get a 45 on his last jump. (We kid, a 45 out of 50 isn't exactly easy.) But he crashed on his landing, ceding the gold to X Games rookie Takeru Otsuka, who got an invite by winning the World Rookie Tour Slopestyle event in April, then proceeded to qualify first in Big Air Saturday morning in Oslo and come back in the evening to win the whole thing.
Lil Yachty
Perhaps you've heard of him? More than 120 million viewers, on one video alone, can't be wrong.
Perhaps you've heard of him? More than 120 million viewers, on one video alone, can't be wrong.
Aaaaah!
No, seriously. The kids really love this guy.
No, seriously. The kids really love this guy.
Local style
Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen from Geilo, Norway, has medaled in all four of her X Games starts: two gold, two silver. In 2013, she earned Slopestyle gold in Aspen as an X Games rookie. At Oslo 2016, she delivered Big Air gold with the very last run of the competition. Because of injuries, Sjåstad hasn't competed at X Games since that victory. She is finally healthy again, as evidenced by her bronze-medal win in Women's Ski Big Air.
Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen from Geilo, Norway, has medaled in all four of her X Games starts: two gold, two silver. In 2013, she earned Slopestyle gold in Aspen as an X Games rookie. At Oslo 2016, she delivered Big Air gold with the very last run of the competition. Because of injuries, Sjåstad hasn't competed at X Games since that victory. She is finally healthy again, as evidenced by her bronze-medal win in Women's Ski Big Air.
Moves like...
Jagger Eaton and Gary Rogers enjoy a day off from competing and commentating.
Jagger Eaton and Gary Rogers enjoy a day off from competing and commentating.
Pump track
Just a mellow skateboard pump track on the side of the Big Air venue for fans to enjoy during breaks in the day's competition...
Just a mellow skateboard pump track on the side of the Big Air venue for fans to enjoy during breaks in the day's competition...
Ja Mons
He might not have made the main event, but Norway's Mons Røisland still put on a solid demonstration of proper snowboard style during the Men's Snowboard Big Air elimination round on Saturday afternoon.
He might not have made the main event, but Norway's Mons Røisland still put on a solid demonstration of proper snowboard style during the Men's Snowboard Big Air elimination round on Saturday afternoon.
Night sky
This night sky is a trick of photography. The sun never really sets in Oslo this time of the year. But it does get dark-ish enough to see a light-and-laser show.
This night sky is a trick of photography. The sun never really sets in Oslo this time of the year. But it does get dark-ish enough to see a light-and-laser show.
Friday at X Games Norway
While a fair number of snowboarders were sleeping off the after-effects of Norway's Constitution Day revelries, skateboarders were hitting the Skur 13 skatepark, putting in work to medal in Women's Skateboard Street, and to qualify for one of the coveted spots in Sunday's Men's Skateboard Street final. Here, Leticia Bufoni, celebrates a win -- and her first gold medal since X Games LA 2013.
While a fair number of snowboarders were sleeping off the after-effects of Norway's Constitution Day revelries, skateboarders were hitting the Skur 13 skatepark, putting in work to medal in Women's Skateboard Street, and to qualify for one of the coveted spots in Sunday's Men's Skateboard Street final. Here, Leticia Bufoni, celebrates a win -- and her first gold medal since X Games LA 2013.
Can you hear me now?
Lacey Baker has been having a banner year, from non-endemic media coverage in The New York Times and Vogue, to designing Nike's first female-specific skate shoe, to getting profiled for our very own Being series, airing soon on ABC. She also locked in another silver medal in Skateboard Street Friday at X Games Norway, bringing her total XG medal tally to seven.
Lacey Baker has been having a banner year, from non-endemic media coverage in The New York Times and Vogue, to designing Nike's first female-specific skate shoe, to getting profiled for our very own Being series, airing soon on ABC. She also locked in another silver medal in Skateboard Street Friday at X Games Norway, bringing her total XG medal tally to seven.
Announcer MVP
Lucky for all of us here at X Games, Skateline's Gary Rogers is doing the courtside commentating for all of the Skateboard Street competitions, providing an honest and minutely-detailed play-by-play in his unmatchable, hilarious signature style.
Lucky for all of us here at X Games, Skateline's Gary Rogers is doing the courtside commentating for all of the Skateboard Street competitions, providing an honest and minutely-detailed play-by-play in his unmatchable, hilarious signature style.
No Sabloney
Three-time X Games Women's Skateboard Street gold medal winner Alexis Sablone didn't make the podium at X Games Norway, but it's okay. She's got a Master's degree in architecture from MIT to fall back on if this skateboarding thing doesn't work out. If you missed her skateboarding this weekend, you can catch her in June speaking as a panelist at the Pushing Boarders conference in London, featuring: "A unique line-up of pro-skaters, community groups, NGOs, policy-makers and academics present a series of talks and Q+As exploring the social impact of skateboarding worldwide."
Three-time X Games Women's Skateboard Street gold medal winner Alexis Sablone didn't make the podium at X Games Norway, but it's okay. She's got a Master's degree in architecture from MIT to fall back on if this skateboarding thing doesn't work out.
If you missed her skateboarding this weekend, you can catch her in June speaking as a panelist at the Pushing Boarders conference in London, featuring: "A unique line-up of pro-skaters, community groups, NGOs, policy-makers and academics present a series of talks and Q+As exploring the social impact of skateboarding worldwide."
Meanwhile...
How do you hold ski and snowboarding competitions in the middle of a city in Spring, you ask? With the help of a water hose and a little snowmaking magic, of course.
How do you hold ski and snowboarding competitions in the middle of a city in Spring, you ask? With the help of a water hose and a little snowmaking magic, of course.
Cheering section
Snowboard superstar Sebastien Toutant was on hand to take in all the Skateboard Street action on Friday. His seat next to Leticia Bufoni's Brazilian homie cheering section was arguably one of the best in the house.
Snowboard superstar Sebastien Toutant was on hand to take in all the Skateboard Street action on Friday. His seat next to Leticia Bufoni's Brazilian homie cheering section was arguably one of the best in the house.
Hometown hero
Norway's own, Kevin Bækkel skated faster than anyone in the competition, with the loose style that has been a signature of his video parts. He earned raucous applause from the crowd and impressed analyst Gary Rogers with his first run, but the judges werent swayed. Perhaps they should have been. Just sayin'... Jack Mitrani later asked him why he was skating without laces in his shoes and got a one-word answer: "Suicide."
Norway's own, Kevin Bækkel skated faster than anyone in the competition, with the loose style that has been a signature of his video parts. He earned raucous applause from the crowd and impressed analyst Gary Rogers with his first run, but the judges werent swayed. Perhaps they should have been. Just sayin'...
Jack Mitrani later asked him why he was skating without laces in his shoes and got a one-word answer: "Suicide."
Bufoni's back
Leticia Bufoni is one of the best-known skateboarders in the world. Once the best contest skater in the discipline, she won six-straight medals in X Games Women's Skateboard Street, from 2010-2014. She returned to the podium with a bronze at X Games Minneapolis in July 2017, got her first signature pro deck with Plan B Skateboards in November 2017, then crushed the competition in Oslo, taking home the gold.
Leticia Bufoni is one of the best-known skateboarders in the world. Once the best contest skater in the discipline, she won six-straight medals in X Games Women's Skateboard Street, from 2010-2014. She returned to the podium with a bronze at X Games Minneapolis in July 2017, got her first signature pro deck with Plan B Skateboards in November 2017, then crushed the competition in Oslo, taking home the gold.
Sweet as Candy
The Netherlands' Candy Jacobs hasn't podiumed at an X Games yet, but she almost walked away with a bronze at X Games Norway before XG Oslo 2016 gold medalist, Pamela Rosa, bumped her into the fourth spot. Look for her to rebate at X Games Minneapolis 2018, coming up in July.
The Netherlands' Candy Jacobs hasn't podiumed at an X Games yet, but she almost walked away with a bronze at X Games Norway before XG Oslo 2016 gold medalist, Pamela Rosa, bumped her into the fourth spot. Look for her to rebate at X Games Minneapolis 2018, coming up in July.
Tossing salad
Dashawn Jordan missed the cutoff for Sunday's Men's Street Skateboard final by one spot, which is not what we predicted, but not everyone can make it to The Show every time. Here he is locking in a salad grind during practice on Friday.
Dashawn Jordan missed the cutoff for Sunday's Men's Street Skateboard final by one spot, which is not what we predicted, but not everyone can make it to The Show every time. Here he is locking in a salad grind during practice on Friday.
Welcome to X Games Norway 2018
We are on the ground for X Games Norway 2018. Here, just outside of Skur 13, where Men's and Women's Skateboard Street will take place, is the city of Oslo. For the remainder of the week, this gallery will be updated with the latest, but for now, check out day 1 action of X Games Norway 2018, which includes practice and Constitution Day celebrations.
We are on the ground for X Games Norway 2018. Here, just outside of Skur 13, where Men's and Women's Skateboard Street will take place, is the city of Oslo. For the remainder of the week, this gallery will be updated with the latest, but for now, check out day 1 action of X Games Norway 2018, which includes practice and Constitution Day celebrations.
Celebration
Various skateboarders on the ground for X Games Norway 2018 celebrate Norway's Constitution Day.
Various skateboarders on the ground for X Games Norway 2018 celebrate Norway's Constitution Day.
Flying the flag
Norwegians spare no expense in celebration of Constitution Day.
Norwegians spare no expense in celebration of Constitution Day.
Pass the mic
Men's Skateboard Street competitor Jagger Eaton answers a question at the official X Games Norway 2018 press conference while Snowboard Big Air dominator Mark McMorris models the new Canadian Tuxedo: paisley-on-paisley.
Men's Skateboard Street competitor Jagger Eaton answers a question at the official X Games Norway 2018 press conference while Snowboard Big Air dominator Mark McMorris models the new Canadian Tuxedo: paisley-on-paisley.
Outside time
While typically cold, spring time in the city of Oslo is a sight to behold.
While typically cold, spring time in the city of Oslo is a sight to behold.
Practice time
Women's Skateboard Street invite Lacey Baker locks into a grind during practice on Thursday at X Games Norway 2018.
Women's Skateboard Street invite Lacey Baker locks into a grind during practice on Thursday at X Games Norway 2018.
Brazil represent
Brazilian Women's Skateboard Street invite Leticia Bufoni boardslides the flat rail during practice.
Brazilian Women's Skateboard Street invite Leticia Bufoni boardslides the flat rail during practice.