Shaun White and the 2013 XGames Run

The Flying Tomato gets some boss elevation!

Shaun White is the boss man when you talk Superpipe. 6 Gold Medals at the Xgames prove this. His runs are clinical, super extended and he gets more elevation than a airliner! Take a look at his run to the Gold in this year's Winter XGames...

Meet XGames Gold Medalist - Mark McMorris

Mark McMorris may only be 19 years old, but that has not stopped him from becoming one of the biggest names in Snowboarding in a very short time. The Red Bull athlete won the Slopestyle Gold at this year's Winter XGames in amazing style and also just got pipped for the Gold in the Big Air, putting him on top of the leader board in my books!
Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, McMorris reflects on how his unique upbringing paved the way to a successful career as a professional snowboarder.

Winter XGames 2013 Wrap Up!

What an XGames! As I predicted it was the Triple Cork show, with both Ski and Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air dominated by the big trick. But, there was lots more on offer to, check out some of the highlights from an epic XGames...

After so many epic moments it would be really difficult to choose my Top 3, but I got to say after much debate it had to be these three! Shaun White winning a 6th Superpipe Gold Medal, the insane stomp Triple Cork by Horgmo in the Big Air and Henrik Harlaut going massive in the Ski Big Air. Check em out...

Winter Xgames 2013 - Day 1

Day 1 in Aspen and we have already had some crazy action in both Snowboard Super Pipe and of course the mayhem that is Snowmobile Freestyle. In the first final of 2013, it was Red Bull superstar, Levi LaVallee, who stormed the final to win yet another Gold! Check out his winning run...

The Snowmobile competition was pure carnage behind Levi with some monster crashes. Check out the worst ones...


Also on the menu for Day 1, was Mens Snowboard Super Pipe Elimination and all eyes were on the "Flying Tomato", Shaun White, to see what he was bringing to the party in 2013. He was highest out of the Pipe at 5.8m and scored enough in his first run to get through (Lucky to, as he flunked his second run)...


There was also way more going on as per usual at XGames, so check out the Day 1 Highlights...

Winter XGames 2013 Aspen, Starts Today

Its that time already folks! Aspen is full to the hilt with the best winter X athletes on the planet ready to kick it up and take down the Winter XGames Gold. Here in SA we can watch on ESPN, so make sure you don't miss out starting tonight at 22:00.

Big calls for this year are seeing a Triple Cork in the snowboard comps and a double backflip in the Snowmobile jumps! I am frothing!

Schedule:

Xgames 2012 - Day 4, The Climax

The final day at the XGames and once again it was the BMX crew giving me the biggest thrills. BMX big air was absolutely nuts! Defending champion Steve McCann pulls out a no-handed double front-flip leading into a double tail whip on his final run of the GoPro BMX Big Air competition pushing him into 1st. Insane...

The Rally Crew did not want to be left out though and with Travis Pastrana crashing for the second year running, it was left to World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb to show the X racers why he is the king of rally. Ken Block held on with 3 laps to go and a flat rear tire to take the Silver.



How do you put Enduro inside a stadium? Xgames figured it out and Mike Brown won the Gold. This is pretty mental...

 

XGames 2012 - Day 3 Skate & BMX go off!

Day 3 dawned and I left my hacienda "Hotel" in East LA for the Nokia Theater and my highlight by miles for the day, watching the BMX Vert Ramp finals and an XGames legend making history. Jamie Bestwick took down his 6th consecutive Vert ramp Gold Medal. It was amazing to watch, especially considering we never see BMX vert in South Africa.

In the Skate Street final I called Pedro Barros from round 1. The guy was just so fast around the Park and was definitely busting way bigger airs and transfers than anyone else. It was some of the best bowl skating I have seen in a very long time.

XGames 2012 - Day 2, Moto X Step Up & Best trick

Red Bull's Ronnie Renner on his way to a new world record and XGames Gold.

On Day 2 of Xgames 2012 I found myself back at the iconic Staples Center for Moto X Best Whip, Step Up and Best Trick. The whip comp is fun and some of the guys were doing massive whips, but the voting system was definitely flawed as they relied on the audience to vote. Twitch had a huge following in the crowd and that made him the winner. I reckon Cam Sinclair was the best guy by miles, but hey, the system chose it's winner. (Important note that their has been a lot of questions hanging over the judging at this XGames and much discussion that it is all rigged. More on this at a later stage.)

The big surprise for me was how amazing the Step Up competition was to watch live. Normally I am not that taken with this event, but live it was a whole new ball game. I was sitting right in front of the kicker and I can tell you those guys are going Cheech and Chong high. Ronnie Renner had a huge battle with Matt Buyten and ended up with not only XGames Gold but a new World record at 48 Feet High. It was amazing.

After all that excitement it was time for the Best Trick Competition. These guys put everything on the line for 2 runs, most pulling first time tricks. There were plenty of spills and plenty of new tricks. Taking the Gold though was Australian, Jacko Strong, last years winner.  Jacko pulled off a soild body varial combo for Gold. Freestyle winner, Taka Hagashino came in second with an all new Rock Solid Backflip to no Hander. Another amazing event!

 

Poor Clinton Moore just missed making this 720 attempt, then had his bike attack him after the wipe...

 

XGames 2012 - Day 2, Massive Rally Cross Crash

Toomas Heikkinen crashes big during a RallyCross practice session. Talk about needing some extra speed to clear the jump.

 

XGames 2012 - Day 2, Bob Burnquist takes 4th Gold at Big Air

Bob schooled the crop of youngsters, some as young as 11 years old, it simply beggars belief. But the old warrior waxed on with some dominating skating in the final, even carrying a pretty serious injury. Bob is now the King of Big Air!

Xgames 2012 - Day 1

Ok, so as most of you know by now, I have been gallivanting around California for some time now. The primary reason was to cover the XGames in all their glory. Turns out ESPN decided not to give me my press pass (To say I was disappointment was a severe understatement.), but life goes on and luckily I still managed to secure tickets for a couple of events.

I just got back to my hotel after the first of those and it was a big one. The Moto X Freestyle competition was mind blowing. Most of the talk was about Travis Pastrana not being there, but I can tell you that all it meant was that the young guns had their opportunity and two of them took it. Levi Sherwood was commanding and oh so smooth. He came in for the Silver, but I can tell you it was dam close. The man of the night however was the first Japanese Podium finisher in XGames history. Taka Hagashino blew minds here tonight and won the Gold with his first run! I watched him fly above my head (Managed good tickets for this one.) Check out the Gold winning run...

Also today were the Big Air Elimination for the skaters and while I could not watch them live, I got to watch most of show inside the Staples Center on the big screen. Some huge action including two massive 900's. This competition is going to get mad!  Mitchie Brusco and Tom Schaar both pull off 900s in the Skate Big Air Eliminations. These guys are kids, Mitchie is 14! Wild I tell you, just plain wild!

Tomorrow is another day and I will be at all the Moto X action including Step Up, Best Whip and Best Trick. Judging by tonight's action, the Best trick is going to be off the hook. A massive thank you to Red Bull South Africa again for all their help! You guys are awesome.

The Friday Mix - XGames, Brian Deegan, Bodyboard and Surf

Welcome to the Friday Mix and this week has a slightly XGames heavy theme, as I am confirmed to attend the event for the first time. Talk about stoked! First up there is the official XGames 2012 teaser, followed by the first "Road to Xgames" with rally and bike hell man, Brian Deegan. After that you get to see the final days action from the IBA World Tour in Arica, Chile. I cannot believe Mike Stewart is still giving it horns in competition. Finally, check out some good vibes from the West Coast Boardriders in Cape Town, as they sponsor a new surfboard for one of their own...

 

 

 

The Friday Mix - Jaws charger Kai Lenny, Aspire kiteboard, Wizard of Oz BMX & Craig Anderson Surf

Welcome to the Friday Mix, where I give you the finest selection of Action Sports videos on the web for the week. First up we have a 19 year old waterman from Hawaii, Kai Lenny. This kid inspires me no end as he surfs, tows, kites and windsurfs massive Jaws, all in one day. This is the premier of his new Web Show, Positively Kai. (Pretty cool he shares my name to.)

Next up we go BMX with the "Wizard of Aus", Corey Bohan. After some serious injuries, he is on the road back to XGames and has his own Web Show so we can tag along. This is the teaser for the show, Wizard of Aus"...



Craig Anderson has to be one of my favorite surfers and is a really nice guy to boot! Born in South Africa and now living in Australia, he lives the free surfer life and travels the world surfing perfect waves.



Aaron Hadlow is the best at what he does, but now he is developing new technologies to enable him to grow the sport of Kite Boarding. Introducing rails and jibs to the technical riding disciplines. Check it out...

The Friday Mix - MOD UK, Alana Blanchard Bikini, Shaun White & Downhill MTB

Alana Blanchard makes surfing gorgeous!

For this week's Friday Mix, we have a real mix of sports. We start with FMX and the Masters of Dirt tour of the UK. This really is the world's best FMX show and makes me sad that the Cape Town show was cancelled. This is followed by the a quick teaser of Alana Blanchard, probably the world's hottest surfer. Then take a ride through the Winter XGames Europe, Superpipe, with Gold Medalist, Shaun White. We finish off with a ride down the recent World Cup Downhill course in Pietermaritburg with Red Bull rider, Gee Atherton. Enjoy and hope you ride this weekend!

 

 

The Friday Mix with Captain Kai - Xgames, Dane Reynolds & Ultimate X

Welcome to the Friday Mix for this week and what a mix it is. First up the long awaited GOPro video from Ultimate X - we still waiting for the 3D edit - followed by Dane Reynold's highlights from the Quik Pro at Snapper. He did not make Round 4, but hells he did some amazing surfing before being knocked out. Lastly, the king of Superpipe, Shaun White, takes another XGames Gold in France at the European Winter XGames. Shaun posted an almost perfect 98 on his first run to take the victory!



 

 

XGames Real Snow 2012 - Mental Snowboarding

Every winter the good people at X Games run the "Real Snow" Snowboarding competition. Some of the world's best Free riders submit their video sections for the competition and we mere mortals get to vote for the best. The winner takes all and the X games Gold. This is some of the most gnarly urban snowboarding I have seen in a long time!



Skull Candy team rider, Dan Brisse, took the Gold. Check out his section...

XGames 17 Real Street - All the entries

Real Street returns for X Games 17! Sixteen of the world's best street skateboarders have submitted 60-second video parts for a shot at $50K and an X Games Gold medal. YOU choose which skater wins $10K by voting the fan favorite: http://xgames.com/realstreet

I love this contest. What a great idea! To make it nice and easy for you guys, I have put all the entries below, so you can view in one place!  I am not sure who I am voting for yet, its a pretty hard decision.

Ken Block's amazing 2010 - Monster World Rally Team

First of all, I got say I was a Ken Block fan before he ever got behind the wheel of a Rally car. DC Shoes have been my favorite footwear brand and one of my supporters for many a year and Ken along with, Damon Way started the brand way back in 1993. DC was all about providing good looking but super functional skate shoes for what they considered professional athletes - just look at the heights action sports have reached now!

I would be happy to!

Ken started his action sports career in skating, snowboarding and Motorcross, so it was not to much of a surprise when he decided that his real career was going to be behind the wheel of an all wheel drive rally car. Bless the day he made that decision, as it has provided the world with some of the greatest youtube videos ever made. His videos on Youtube, including "Gymkhana 2" and "Snow Park NZ", have garnered over 50'000000 views online and keep growing. As an online media junky, the man is my hero!

Oh how I wish this was my toy!

So, in 2011 Ken will be looking for success in WRC, Rally America and of course the XGames. I am also pretty sure we are going to see another in the Gymkhana series and hopefully more crazy antics from the DC Video series - such as racing through a Snow park. Take a look at his highly successful 2010 and I guarantee the green monster will raise his little jealous head -

Snowboarding gets reinvented - Winter XGames 15

Just when you thought snowboarding had hit a plateau as far as progression goes, along comes Winter XGames 15. The sales line for the Games was, "You haven't seen everything!" How right they were. This year the guys took it to new heights, led up front by the man previously known as the Flying Tomato, he now goes by the moniker - The Dark Knight. Shaun White led the charge taking his four-peat in the Superpipe and blowing minds on route to doing it. He was running a 19ft Straight air out of the pipe straight into a double cork that defied description.Then, just to ensure he was winning, he busts out a double Mactwist -WTF!

Ok, so our minds are blown, lets take a breather and head over to the Big Air event. Nothing to exciting going on - oh shit, is that Torstein Horgmo trying a triple cork? He eats absolute crap, gets up and heads back up for another run, then lands the craziest air ever - I mean ever! The definition of impossible no longer exists.



My hands are shaking right now! What's next?