Online competition element will award prize money, medals and coverage on ESPN for the winners
For the first time, ESPN will add an online competition platform to the traditional contest line-up at X Games 16 to be held July 29 – Aug 1. In addition to the traditional live competition schedule, ESPN.com/action will host an on-line video contest Skateboard Real Street, featuring 12 of the world’s best street skaters competing for prize money, X Games medals and air time during the X Games broadcast. For the first time, athletes will be given the opportunity to team with a filmer to partner on the production of the video and present themselves how they want it.
“We are constantly striving to present new sports, disciplines and competition platforms at the X Games that accurately reflect the state of action sports and participants,” said Tim Reed, senior director Sports & Competition. “Video parts and online videos are a major part of street skating, and we think this new competition platform allows us to better serve athletes and fans with even more unique action sports content.
The 12 skaters invited to compete with their most recent standout video parts are:
•Zered Bassett- (26, New York, NY.) 2009, Zoo York’s “State of Mind”
•Corey Duffel- (26, Walnut Creek, Calif.) 2009, Transworld’s “Right Foot Forward”
•Jake Duncombe- (22, Brisbane, AUS.) 2009, Blind’s “The Blind World”
•Benny Fairfax- (25, Los Angeles, Calif.) 2009, Adidas’ “Diagonol”
•Sierra Fellers- (23, Whitefish, Mont.) 2010, Circa’s “Dialog”
•Garrett Hill- (22, Granada Hills, Calif.) 2009, Zero’s “Strange World”
•Johhny Layton- (24, Long Beach, Calif.) 2006, Toy Machines “Suffer The Joy”
•Luan Olivera- (19, Porto Alegre, BRZ.) 2009, Flip’s “Extremely Sorry”
•Leo Romero- (23, Fontana, Calif.) 2009, RVCA’s “Promo Video”
•Tommy Sandoval- (24, Chula Vista, Calif.) 2009, Zero’s “Strange World”
•Tony Tave- (23, San Clemente, Calif.) 2007, Element’s “This is My Element”
•Nick Trapasso- (21, Phoenix, Ariz.) 2009, Thrasher’s “Prevent This Tragedy”
Each of the 12 skaters will submit a one-minute video part that has to include a maximum number of tricks that will then be judged by a panel of professional skaters who will select the winners. A first place prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the winner, as well as gold, silver and bronze X Games medals given to the skaters with the top three video parts. All individual videos will air during the X Games 16 telecast on Sunday, August, 3. The top four athletes will compete in a game of “SK8” live on Sunday afternoon.
All individual videos have never been seen and will debut on ESPN.com/action starting on June 21. Two new videos will be released each week for the six weeks leading up to X Games 16. Fans will have a chance to view and vote on their favorite video once all the videos are released and will stay open until the winner is announced on Sunday, August 1, on ESPN. ESPN.comaction will also feature photo galleries of the skaters, additional video content around the shorts and live chats with the participating athletes.
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Information on all X Games events can be found on www.xgames.com for fans or on www.espneventmedia.com for media only.
Contacts:
Alex Rozis, 310-642-1533; [email protected]
Katie Moses Swope, 310-642-1507; [email protected]
