Vans Downtown Showdown 2009
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 by
Words by Ryan Clements
Photos and Captions by Rob Meronek
My morning started off at a really early 3:45am to catch a flight from Tampa to San Diego. From there I got picked up from the airport and driven to my motorcycle that was being stored in Jesse Fritch’s garage in Carlsbad. I then hopped on my bike and rode the 100 or so miles to Hollywood to meet up with the rest of the SPoTlight crew at Paramount Studios on Melrose.
This is the fifth year of the Vans Downtown Showdown and it never ceases to be an exciting event due to the fact that it really attracts the superstars. All of the invited teams have the opportunity to submit drawings for the obstacles they wish to create. The “best” four obstacles are then chosen and constructed right there on a movie set at Paramount. The scene itself is such a cool spot for a skateboarding event. Wandering around and checking out all of the sets, some that are actually producing movies, is a pretty cool experience. I particularly enjoy seeing the trams full of tourists coming through. “Look mom. Skateboarders!”
Each team is required to have at least one pro skate on each obstacle, while the other two skaters can be anyone else on your team, am or pro…doesn’t matter. Then the top two scores are averaged, but one of the scores used MUST be a pro’s. I know, it’s slightly complicated, but after five years you pretty much get it.
Another great thing about the DTSD is that it’s a one-day, five hour event. That keeps it exciting and fun and no one gets bored out of their head with skateboarding overload. Here’s how it broke down:
Ryan
Photos and Captions by Rob Meronek
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This is the fifth year of the Vans Downtown Showdown and it never ceases to be an exciting event due to the fact that it really attracts the superstars. All of the invited teams have the opportunity to submit drawings for the obstacles they wish to create. The “best” four obstacles are then chosen and constructed right there on a movie set at Paramount. The scene itself is such a cool spot for a skateboarding event. Wandering around and checking out all of the sets, some that are actually producing movies, is a pretty cool experience. I particularly enjoy seeing the trams full of tourists coming through. “Look mom. Skateboarders!”
Each team is required to have at least one pro skate on each obstacle, while the other two skaters can be anyone else on your team, am or pro…doesn’t matter. Then the top two scores are averaged, but one of the scores used MUST be a pro’s. I know, it’s slightly complicated, but after five years you pretty much get it.
Another great thing about the DTSD is that it’s a one-day, five hour event. That keeps it exciting and fun and no one gets bored out of their head with skateboarding overload. Here’s how it broke down:
Little China Girl
Leave it to Girl to always come up with a great idea. It only makes sense right? The illest company comes up with the coolest ideas. The replica of the China Banks was perfect and the hand-painted bricks, by the entire Girl crew of course, were a nice added touch
- 1st - $2,500 – Zered Bassett – also know as Dr. Z, Zered is an ATV destroyer
- 2nd - $1,500 – Angel Ramirez – it was only the beginning of his shredding
- 3rd - $1,000 – Ron Deily – following in the footsteps of teammate Dr. Z, Ron is an ATV killer, too
Flip
This was the biggest pyramid that I’ve ever seen and Flip had some proper graphics on it, too. The mushrooms on the ground were a great touch. I don’t know what the ledge was supposed to be, but I’m glad it was there so I could witness Leo Romero destroy it.
- 1st - $2,500 – Jani Laitiala – I’ll be damned if I can remember a single trick that Jani landed. My excuse is that I was announcing and unable to take notes, therefore the entire evening was a blur
- 2nd - $1,500 – Nick Trapasso – proper-ass 360 flip. That’s all I can remember
- 3rd - $1,000 – Louie Lopez – fs bigspin heelflip and hardflip…no problem at all for Louie. He’s already a force to be reckoned with, so I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when he grows up a bit
The Hesh Cross by Creature
This was my personal favorite obstacle due to all of the different transitions coming together. I wouldn’t mind this one right in the middle of the Street Course at Skatepark of Tampa.
- 1st - $2,500 – Vince Del Valle – you know that Vince is one of those ATV guys, right? He rips everything and it’s rad to see Label supporting him
- 2nd - $1,500 – Angel Ramirez – here he is again in the top three on another obstacle. That got him some cash and much needed points for Foundation to take the overall
- 3rd - $1,000 – Jani Laitiala – he got a little bummed at Vern and I saying, “JAAANIII!!!” over the mic during the final obstacle, but I was hyped to see Jani kill it on transition, too
Black Label’s Drunk Tank & 12 Step Program
From the simulated liquor bar last year to their creativity this year, The Label always comes up with something really creative.
- 1st - $2,500 – Nick Merlino – switch bs lipslide down the rail and switch flip over the stairs were the best in my book, but there were many more
- 2nd - $1,500 – Billy Marks – had more tricks than anyone and almost did a cab kickflip right at the end…that might have made him the winner
- 3rd - $1,000 – Filipe Ortiz – Schaefer accidentally called him Chris Ortiz, which was actually really funny, but Felipe broke his board on a fs flip over the rail and then came back to kill it with a brand new complete
Top Am
- $5,000 – Nick Merlino – he skated every single obstacle and seriously dominated Black Label’s Drunk Tank and 12-Step Program. Nick is on the come up and is seriously good
Top Pro
- $10,000 – Jani Laitiala – yep, that’s right…two years in a row. And of course you know that Jani skated every single obstacle, too. That’s how you become the MVP, son!
Overall Winning Team
- 1st - $30,000 – Foundation – don’t you think the Foundation team is as sick as I do? Come on? Angel, Abdias, newcomer Elijah, and Alex Gourdouros did it without the help of Fellers and Duffel, who were both MIA
- 2nd - $15,000 – Blind – last year’s winners slipped back a spot, but they still killed it with head-chief Weiss leading the charge
- 3rd - $5,000 – Toy Machine – here’s a Jason Rothmeyer Fun Fact: The Machine has been in the top three of all five of the Downtown Showdowns. Those dudes have the strategy wired and now they have Leo to help them out, too
Thanks
Thanks to all of our friends at Vans and FUEL for the great time and opportunity. Doing a live webcast along with an event is always a damn good time. Speerco, nice job on the ramps. Also, thanks to Mitsubishi for giving away the car and Epiphone for the prizes. See you on the set next year.
Ryan
A Few Colin Clark Clips:
An Interview with Abdias Rivera:
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