Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Sandro Dias Score Wins at AST China Invitational

Apr 19 2008 / BEIJING, China

Canada’s Pierre-Luc Gagnon won the Skateboard Vert event and Brazil’s Sandro Dias won the Skateboard Vert Best Trick competition Saturday at the AST China Invitational, AST’s fist international event held at Beijing International Stadium in the Daxing District.

Gagnon, 27, of Canada, executed a flawless run and multitude of highly technical tricks earning an average score of 91.75 to outdistance Andy Macdonald of Boston, Mass., who finished second at 89.50. Adam Taylor of Coco Beach, Fla. placed third at 78.50.

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"It’s great to back in China," said Gagnon, who placed third overall in the 2007 AST Dew Tour season. "Everyone put solid runs together, and it’s especially good to see a young kid like Adam Taylor do so well."

"I’m stoked to be on the podium for the first time at an AST event," said Taylor. "This is an awesome start to the year and a big step for me. I hope to get more finishes like this throughout 2008.”

Dias, 34, of Brazil, landed the first-ever 900 in China capturing first place in the Skateboard Vert Best Trick competition. Danny Mayer of Omaha, Neb. placed second with a backside 360 kickflip melon followed by Macdonald in third with a nollie heel varial body variel slob grab.

"Landing the 900 was the greatest birthday gift I could give to myself,” said Dias.  “I’m looking forward to trying the 900 throughout the 2008 AST Dew Tour season.”

The two-day competition is the first AST international event and features skateboarding (vert and park) and BMX vert. Sunday's action features Skateboard Park finals and a fan-friendly BMX Vert exhibition.

AST China Invitational Results
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Beijing, China

Skateboard Vert Final
1. Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Canada, 91.75.
2. Andy Macdonald, Boston, Mass., 89.50.
3. Adam Taylor, Coco Beach, Fla., 78.50.
4. Sandro Dias, Brazil, 78.25.
5. Alex Perelson, San Diego, Calif., 77.00.
6. Buster Halterman, Wellsville, Pa., 71.25.
7. Anthony Furlong, Tampa, Fla., 61.25.
8. Rune Glifberg, Denmark, 50.25.
9. Jean Postec, France, 43.00.
10. Danny Mayer, Omaha, Neb., 37.00. 

Skateboard Vert Best Trick Final
1. Sandro Dias, Brazil, 900.
2. Danny Mayer, Omaha, Neb., backside 360 kickfilp melon.
3. Andy Macdonald, Boston, Mass., nollie heel varial body variel slob grab.