It’s the third day of wandering around the X Games, saying hello to people who I kind of know and snapping photos with the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010. It started off with the park eliminations, which were awesome. As usual, Tony Trujillo made it ever more enjoyable with unscripted runs. But, the top ten to advance boiled down to this: 1. Pedro Barros 2. Andy MacDonald 3. Kevin Kowalski 4. Bucky Lasek 5. Curren Caples 6. Nolan Monroe 7. Omar Hassan 8. Taylor Bingaman 9. Chad Bartie 10. Rune Glifberg. Standouts include Duncombe, Ben Hatchell and John Rattray and Keegan Sauder for just showing up and getting a cool grand for rolling around. Now, that’s making the most of a situation. Down below are some pics of vert. Thanks to Mike Sinclair for pics, too.—Josh Brooks

Norwester, Kevin Kowalski is not to be slept on. Backside boneless on the “nun’s headdress.” Real insane. He surprised everyone. Mic-E Reyes is even live twitting it, too.

Nieratko and Eli Reed ham it up.

The Trujillo Method, a self-help book coming soon to Walmart.

“Baby Hassan, meet Baby Nieratko.”

Ben Hatchell stalefish transfer from the little tranny with the Xs on it to the wedge on the left.

The bowl version of “Excuse meh… I’d like to get by, now.” Taylor methods past Langi.

Anti-Gravity Gravette getting crazy as usual. Ollie from the deck bump over the chasm.

Elissa and John Rattray enjoyed.

Gravette walks The Nun.

You know it, bro.

“Baca, I think you’re up.”

Huh? Curren Caples tries to figure it all out.

“How do you think it went? Be honest.”

Keegan properly outfits John Rattray for Extremity!

Bucky Lasek was itching to go.

Langi was there… ladies.

Curren all like “weeee.” Lipslide. Kid’s really, really good.

Raybourn’s untucked nosegrab backside 540, if I remember correctly.

Then, Hatchell’s tucked slob 540. Bingaman looks on for tips, it seems.

Bucky Lasek got street up in the park course.. Here he is midway through a tre flip. I wish he would invent a flip trick that’s some sort of vert variation of a laser flip so that we could all call it a “Lasek” flip. Getting the eyes involved in some way would make it even more awesome.

Rune had a few step offs, but he had the course dialed. If you’re finding lines, he’s the one to watch. Tailslide through the corner.

Kevin Kowalski cut his hair and now he’s looking kind of like a transition-oriented Jake Donnelly. Maybe it’s just me.

David Loy gives Curren the high five.

I like to call this one The Omar. Heelflip frontside air.

This year’s gold medal winner at Big Air, Jake Brown came down to cheer on his mates, especially Jake Duncombe, who was putting some radical moves together.

Andy Mac with a killer Japan air. Say what you want, but he does rip.

Course ist goot.

Again, here’s Rune with a lofter.

I said it before, but I’ll say it again: Live every week like it’s your last Shark Week.

Lil’ Curren Caples finished in 5th for the prelims. Short little guy was flying around the course like he’s had twenty years of experience – “Weeeee!” this and “Whooo!” that all over the place. Like playing with toys or something.

Pedro came in first and hooty hooooooo! This kid’s nuts. 540 in the middle of his run. No setup or nuttin’. Indy.

Best buddies Elissa Steamer and Brian Anderson were there cheering their friends on.
Vert started a mere five hours later. This one’s for you “Yoh,” just click on page two below for vert.
TAGS: 2010 x games, 80s vert venues, Andy Macdonald, banana, bananas, Ben Hatchell, Ben Raybourn, Bob Burnquist, Bucky Lasek, CHAD BARTIE, Colin McKay, Curren Caples, flying tomatoe, Jake Brown, Jake Duncombe, John Rattray, Keegan Sauder, Kevin Kowalski, nolan monroe, Omar Hassan, Pedro Barros, pierre luc gagnon, Rune Glifberg, Sammy Baca, shark week, Shaun White, shawn white, Target, Taylor Bingaman, the oui flip, winning banana, X Games, x games vert







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