Andy MacDonald brings it in Denver. Jared Souney © 2006 Lat34

Gagnon, Bucky and Bob Dominate Vert Prelims

The skateboard vert prelims kicked off this afternoon here at the Dew Tour in Denver. And the vert skaters are psyched that they're riding indoors. The high today outside was nearly 100 degrees. Inside it's a cool 78. Earlier today we saw the open qualifier round which produced some potential threats to the big names. Phil Hajal, known for launching into space with his lofty airs, Mizael Simao and Paul Zitzer made it into the prelims to rumble with Bob, Bucky, Andy, Shaun and the rest.

Of course, the big dogs weren't going to let the open qualifiers off easy. Besides Burnquist, Lasek, MacDonald and White the roster included Max Dufour, Rune Glifberg, Jean Postec, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Lincoln Ueda, Sandro Dias, Rob Larifice and Neal Hendrix. Because it's just the prelims we didn't see the crazy big tricks, but it was still an amazing show.

Gagnon had a super strong couple of runs highlighted by a big 540 over the channel and something like six 360 variations in a row. Bucky made the crowd cheer like crazy with a couple of smooth 540s and an alley-oop over the channel. Bob stayed consistent with his signature collection of switch tricks to edge Shaun White down to fourth. By the way, Shaun defied gravity with some unbelievable backside airs. I wonder if the thin air at this altitude has anything to do with it.

At the end of the prelims it was Gagnon on top followed by Bucky, Bob and Shaun. Sandro Dias put together a beautiful couple of runs to secure fifth place. Andy MacDonald, who is normally the most consistent rider on the planet blew his first run, but came back with a strong second run to place sixth. Postec, Dufour, Buster, Rune, Larifice and Hendrix filled out the last positions to qualify for the finals. We've got a good show to look forward to!

-Steve