The Skateboard Big Air and Moto X events seemed to be the highlight of day 1 at the X Games. Skateboard Big Air, which was held at the Irwindale Event Center, saw fan-favorite Bob Burnquist take a nasty spill that left him injured, but not enough to stop him from taking home the bronze. 13-year old Tom Schaar blew spectators minds and walked away with the silver, while Elliot Sloan pulled off some HUGE 540′s and 720′s for the gold.
Back at the Staples Center, the Moto X Best Whip event featured the first-ever female competitor, Vicki Golden, who left with a bronze medal in the fan-voted competition. Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg received 24% – good enough for second place – while Josh Hansen walked away with the gold medal after receiving 42% of the votes.
X Games Invading Downtown LA, Irwindale With Action Sports & Music This Thursday-Sunday
Immediately following the Best Whip competition was the Moto X Freestyle Finals, one of the X Games’ biggest draws. Taka Higashino claimed gold for a record third time. Higashino’s unique approach included a Kiss of Death backflip and a Rock Solid backflip in a pair of runs that both earned 90.00. Despite also scoring a 90.00 in his second run, Adam Jones and his one of a kind trick, the Rigamortis, earned silver as Higashino’s first run decided the tie.
Women’s Skateboard Street saw Brazilian Leticia Bufoni dominate her first round heat, who then went on to beat out Lacey Baker for the gold medal in the finals. The SLS Select Series had skaters competing for the final spot in the main Street League event, and it was Canadian Ryan Decenzo who edged out Brazilian Felipe Gustavo for the lucrative final spot.
Stay up to date with all things X Games here.
RESULTS:
SLS Select Series (Winner moves on to Street League event)
1. Ryan Decenzo, 41.60 (CAN) Moves on to Finals
2. Felipe Gustavo, 40.80 (BRA)
3. Greg Lutzka, 40.20 (USA)
Women’s Skateboard Street Final
Gold: Leticia Bufoni, 88.00 (BRA)
Silver: Lacey Baker, 86.00 (USA)
Bronze: Marisa Dal Santo, 81.00 (USA)
America’s Navy Skateboard Big Air Final
Gold: Elliot Sloan, 90.17 (USA)
Silver: Tom Schaar, 88.83 (USA)
Bronze: Bob Burnquist, 88.67 (BRA)
Moto X Best Whip Final
Gold: Josh Hansen, 42.00 (USA)
Silver: Jeremy Stenberg, 24.00 (USA)
Bronze: Vicki Golden, 21.00 (USA)
Moto X Freestyle Final
Gold: Taka Higashino, 90.00 (JPN)
Silver: Adam Jones, 90.00 (USA)
Bronze: Nate Adams, 88.00 (USA)
RELATED STORIES:
Travis Pastrana Talks About The Future Of X Games With Kevin & Bean