By Gunther Estrada.
The Skateboarding competittion that matches up the awards/prices with the risks that Pro-Skateboarders confront everytime they are out there doing their thing. Created by the owners of The Palms in Las Vegas and the Sacramento Kings (who have no link to the Skateboarding industry whatsoever), this event managed to congregate the most important names in the industry in an event that was created to fit the real needs of a street skater. These spots/replica of some of the raddest skated places in US street ground were made exclusively for the three days of competition and subject to be demolished soon after. (?)
The day of the semi finals we showed up with a little bit of doubt of what this competition was all about, completely unprepared me, my brother Hali, Jeff (SABRE) and his best friend from high school walked into this concrete, metal and marvel paradise.
We sat down to appreciate the composition of this perfect construction when all of the sudden in the middle of the course we sight our friend Guillermo “BATMAN” Vascones that had arrived a couple of days before to represent in the E’S game of S-K-A-T-E, which was one of the many happenings in this crazy event. After getting a couple of words with him we got to see him shredding the spots with his unique style and clean tricks.
Guillermo Vascones. Nollie bigspin Backside. Maloof Money Cup. Costa Mesa Ca.
Soon after, the AM competition started and the new names had the chance to destroy the Maloof Brothers new toy. Dustin Blauvelt throwing hammers on the 16 stair rail as well as Scott Decenzo and Timmy Knuth showed their skills and left us thinking that it will be no longer until they turn PRO.
Right after, at the Zumiez best trick contest the heavy weight were annihilating the 4 different sections of the course. One of the favorites, Greg Lutzka pushed the limits with unbelievable tricks like frontside back lip slide and the craziest trick of the night, frontside 270 kick flip nose-blunt. Jake Duncombe bluntslide to back nose blunt, Leo Romero Frontside Nose-Blunt up the ledge and of course the 13 year old prodigy Nyjah Houston bigspin flip to frontside boardslide down the 16 stair hand rail.
We were getting ready for the final event on the course and I had the chance to go inside the pit with everybody, I brought my camera to get some footage and everybody was going crazy. Chris Cole and Nyjah Houston were killing it, Paul Rodriguez and Ryan Sheckler showed why they are making the big bucks and revelation Darrell Stanton and Terry Kennedy “representing Chincha” were landing solid tricks with a lot of pop. Dennis Busenitz showing control skating at high speed like a Thrasher and Andrew Reynolds “The Boss” demostrate that experience and style are a solid combination.
When the contest was ready to finish with the last section hit (the 16 stair hand rail) the whole coliseum was getting anxious and after a couple of fights the huge hand rail got assaulted by gnarly tricks. We thought Nyjah had it with the big spin flip board slide. Also, Chris Cole had many tricks and the crowd was expecting a final with these 2 contenders figting for the first and second place but for everybody’s surprise Paul Rodriguez took the medal and the money and this way the Maloof Money cup wrap it up until next year for a next weekend of skate, fun and crazy prizes.
Here are more pics from the event.
NO SHIT !!!
Guillermo Vascones was killing the street course all morning. Kickflip Shifty in sunny California.
Hali Estrada, Christian Hosoi and Gunther Estrada enjoying the contest.
Nyjah Houston, the CUP and Guillermo Vascones after the ceremony.
Hali Estrada and Guy Mariano talking about "Video Days" and "Ban this".
Lacey Baker and her 25 grands check.
Pierre Luc Gagnon and the 75,000 reasons to fly to Costa Mesa.
- The Winner Paul Rodriguez and everybody in the back, it was an amazing weekend.
