| 2002 X Games Return to Philadelphia | |
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Sport
Description:
Park – The park competition gathers 25 of the world’s best park skaters and
puts them up against ramp-designing veterans. The course is the same for in-line
skaters and bicycle stunt riders. The course is comprised of ledges, handrails,
wedge ramps, quarter pipes, spine ramps and street-oriented obstacles.
Vert – The vert competition gathers 20 competitors (men and women
together) in which each skater performs tricks in the half pipe. The skaters are
challenged to link tricks together in a smooth and exciting run. The skaters try
to combine big air with big spinning tricks and technical lip tricks.
Scoring:
Park – In the preliminary round, each of the 25 competitors completes two
60-second runs. An average is taken from both scores and the top 10 positions
advance to the final round. In the final round, each competitor completes two
60-second runs. The greater score of the two runs is assigned as the
competitor’s best score. Scores are based on style, difficulty, consistency
and line.
Vert (Men’s and Women’s) – In the preliminary round, each of the 20
competitors completes two 45-second runs. The two scores are averaged and the
top 10 positions advance to the final round. In the final round, each competitor
completes two 45-second runs. The greater score of the two runs is assigned as
the competitor’s best score. Scores are based on style, difficulty,
consistency and line.
Equipment:
Shell – The hard outside casing of the skate, usually made of durable plastic.
The shell is where the laces or buckles are located, which provides closure and
keeps the skater’s foot in place.
Frame – The part of the skate that connects the shell to the wheels.
Grind Plates – An addition to the aggressive in-line skate frame, usually
attached to the instep of the skate between the second and third wheels.
Protective Gear – All skaters are required to wear helmets and most also wear
wrist guards, extra-large kneepads and elbow pads.
Who to Watch:
Rising star Cameron Card (American Fork, Utah) entered the pro circuit just last
season. He took home Vert gold at the EXPN Invitational in Grand Prairie and
will be making his X Games debut in August. At age 15, women’s Park competitor
Fallon Hefferman (Jacksonville, Fla.) took Silver in last year’s X Games, and
in April, she grabbed the bronze at the EXPN Invitational in Grand Prairie,
Texas.
Host City Logo used with the
permission of www.philadelphiaxgames.org.
Official Press Release of ESPN X Games VIII