Will Sheckler Shine in Portland?

The redoubtable Ryan Sheckler is no stranger to the crushing pressure of world class competition. As last year’s Dew Action Sports Tour Skate Park champion, he has already proved he has what it takes to succeed. Now, with a solid second-place showing at the ‘06 Summer X-Games, the question is, can he use his momentum to fuel another Dew Tour win? 

 

 

 

With Portland next up on the schedule, this young rebel will certainly near the epicenter of attention. At the 2006Dew Action Sports Tour inaugural in Louisville, the 16 year-old Sheckler crushed the field with a score of 92.67, overshadowing phenom trickster Nyjah Huston’s run of 88.33. That may seem a significant disparity in the judge’s impressions, until you consider the third place score of 83.92 posted by Jereme Rogers. Clearly, Ryan had come to play, and he bought his A-Game with him.

 

Since then, Sheckler and Huston have commanded significant attention from both the sporting media, and a gifted field of veteran riders looking to put their names back at the top of the leader board. At last month’s tour stop in Denver, all eyes were focused on the two brash upstarts, waiting to see if their hunger to win would create the next big rivalry in Skate Park competition. Sheckler, however, turned out to be his own worst enemy, limping into town with a foot injury that proved to be his undoing. Considering the formidable talents of his fellow riders, a fourth place score of 84.92 was as close to miracle as Ryan was likely to get.

 

Beyond providing a nationally-televised showcase for some of the world’s best athletes, the Dew Action Sports Tour offers monetary rewards as well: a 3.5 million cash purse to be divvied up between competitors in different disciplines and venues. Sheckler parlayed his first place win in Louisville into a check for $15 thousand. After Denver, he holds second place in overall tour standings. A win in Portland would put him on top. If he can maintain that position through the rest of the tour run, he’ll take home a $75 thousand cash prize along with other goodies including a brand new Toyota Tacoma pick-up. Pretty sweet for someone who just reached driving age.

 

With the glare of the‘06 Summer X-Games behind him now, Sheckler appears to have found his groove again. His second place finish in Los Angles should serve as tacit proof that his foot has healed and his mind is focused. But can he hold it all together under the weight of adoring fans, expectant sponsors and the glare of the media spotlight? We’ll know soon enough…Portland gets underway in less than a week.