San Diego's Hero!

 

The Skate Vert finals were definitely the biggest event of the weekend at the Action Sports USA Championships. With the biggest crowd, the stiffest competition (skateboarding was the only sport that saw real cuts in the prelims) and three runs instead of two, the skateboarders were the real stars of the show.

 

This worked out for the San Diego crowd, since 8 of the 10 skaters in the finals reside in Southern California, 7 of them actually in San Diego. So as expected, it was a hometown field for a hometown crowd. And while winner Andy Macdonald is technically from Massachusetts, he’s been living in San Diego long enough to claim local status.

 

Macdonald is no stranger to the top of the podium, he has stood there many times, but this is his first win of 2006. His first run score of 86.00 held through out the entire contest, though he upped it himself, scoring an 86.50 in his final run. Since he had qualified in 4th, he had to watch the top three qualifiers take their final runs, but when all was said and done, no one could best the Mac Dog’s score.

 

Buster Halterman took second place, his highest finish of the year as well. He was looking strong and solid as he blasted huge airs and a big Mctwist to score an 85.75 his second run. Halterman also nabbed the last invitation to the World Championships next month in Dallas for his efforts. In third was number one qualifier Rune Glifberg, who stomped a clean run the first time out, but had trouble with his kickflip backside lipslide on his next two runs and couldn’t better his first score.

 

Almost every skater was able to complete at least one solid run, thanks to the three run format. Everyone except for the Aussies Tas Pappas and Jake Brown. But Jake Brown got a little bit of redemption for his last place finish, taking the Mad Croc $500 High Energy award for his 540 tailgrab or maybe it was his double flip. Either way, they were both sick.

 

The skating in the finals was definitely the most impressive of the weekend, and the stage is set for an even better competition next month in Dallas.

• - Check out Lat34s Coverage of the LG Action Sports World Tour
• - Read About The Home of Action Sports, San Diego