With rain in the forecast for Thursday, the X Games updated their schedule for the one event that had been scheduled outdoors. The Vert Skateboard qualification rounds were moved from Thursday afternoon to Wednesday. The finals are now scheduled for Thursday starting at 9 PM – look to the heavens and the X Games app for updates. The change gave me an excuse to pick up my credentials a day early and check out some of the training sessions.
Here’s a big disclaimer for all our X Games coverage. 2/3s of our team wouldn’t last 15 seconds on a skateboard other than going in a straight line. Our goal is the capture the spirit of the X Games and show you some great photos, rather than recap athletes’ runs and share results. ESPN are varied sports sites are safe from our incursion on their turf (for this year at least).
Training
I spent about an hour before the press conference checking out the various training sessions. The first thought that came to my mind – those athletes are tough. Falls and wipeouts are common in training and seeing them get up, shake it off, and get right back on their vehicle of choice was impressive.
This may be a competition, but there’s a very chill and friendly atmosphere. They cheer when another athlete lands a cool trick and there’s friendly banter all day long.
Kickoff Panel
There was a press conference with several of the key athletes scheduled at 2.
Jack Mitrani, host of X Games Minneapolis introduced the participants and moderated. Some key impression (for me at least)
Elliot Sloan – Skate Big Air & Vert – He has 9 X Games medals and will be opening for Zedd on Sunday
Jackson Strong – Moto X Freestyle & Best Trick – Has a pet Kangaroo named (what else) “Skippy”.
Nicole Hause – Skate Park – Hometown girl from stillwater competing in front of 150+ family and friends
Jagger Eaton – Skate Park & Street – Competed in his first X Games when he was only 11.
Mykel Larrin – BMX Park, Vert & Big Air – Maintains a healthy diet despite being from Wisconsin where according to Jack “They serve cheese curds instead of bread”
Tim Reed – VP X Games – A yale grad who started his X Games career sweeping skate ramps
A range of topics came up from injury recovery, the importance of social media, to the inclusion of Street and Park Skateboarding in the 2020 Olympic Games.
Vert Qualifiers
This year competitors got to do 3 runs instead of only 2. X Games medal holders automatically are in the finals, so 15 athletes competed for 7 available spots.
