X-Games 13
August 21
X GAMES 13 MAKES HISTORY WITH MOST-VIEWED AND HIGHEST RATINGS EVER
Record Online Audience For EXPN.com; Highest TV Ratings Across All Age
Groups
The success of X Games 13, held in Los Angeles August 2 – 5, reflects
the evolving ways that fans engage in action sports today and were a
success across television, online and mobile media across the globe.
EXPN.com (ESPN.com’s action sports hub) recorded its most overall traffic
ever for an X Games with first time live webcasts as well as fan voting
for competition. Telecasts of X Games 13 on ESPN delivered the
most-viewed X Games ever among Households and Men 12-17, 18-34, 18-49 and
25-54. ESPN's prime time telecasts were up 35% compared to 2006 among
M12-17.
“Once again the best action sports athletes in the world came to X
Games and provided fans around the world with remarkable performances”,
said Rick Alessandri, Managing Director, X Games Franchise. “And the fans
responded in record numbers across ESPN’s global multi-media
platforms”, added Alessandri.
In an effort to continue to expand the X Games franchise globally, on
the opening night of X Games 13, the first five minutes aired live on 19
of ESPN's television networks, reaching a potential 267 million
viewers in 145 countries. In addition, fans around the world were then able
to watch the entire broadcast streamed live on EXPN.com. Both EXPN.com
and ESPN360.com streamed 40 hours of live X Games 13 coverage.
The newly re-launched EXPN.com had its most successful X Games ever,
with the number of unique visitors more than doubling X Games 2006 (up
116 percent), which was the previous record-setting event. According to
comScore Media Metrix, the site was accessed by more than a half
million unique users, and generated more than 3.2 million page views over
the course of the X Games. Additionally, fans viewed X Games videos on
EXPN.com and ESPN.com more than 1.6 million times over the four days of
the competition.
On television, nearly 38 million fans tuned into X Games 13, up 7% from
2006. Overall, X Games 13 averaged a 1.0 Household coverage rating on
ESPN, a 19% increase from 2006.
August 5
Big Finishes Somehow Always Happen At The X Games”
Foust Wins X Games Rally Car Super Special; DQ’d Pastrana Takes Bronze
LOS ANGELES – Tanner Foust, a stunt driver on movie screens this
weekend in “The Bourne Ultimatum,” surged ahead in the home stretch to take
the checkered flag – and the gold – in the Rally Car Racing Super
Special competition, the final event of ESPN X Games 13.
Rally Car, which features a driver and a co-driver racing street legal
cars on closed sections of roads called “stages,” is in its second year
at X Games, and this year’s race marked the first time teams raced
head-to-head. They did so before a sellout crowd at The Home Depot
Center.
Foust and co-driver Chrissie Beavis led early in the final race but
lost the lead to Ken Block and his co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino – only
to blast forward in the last inches of the course and cross the finish
line .68 seconds ahead of Block and Gelsomino.
“[Block] was leading us going out, and on the way back he must have
caught bad breaks because he got really close and I was thinking ‘Oh my
gosh, there’s no dust at the finish line, we might have a chance at
this,’ ” Foust said afterwards.
“Big finishes somehow always happen at the X Games,” Foust shrugged.
Travis Pastrana, the Moto X Freestyle legend of double backflip fame,
said recently that Rally Car Racing now occupies “99.9” percent of his
time. During a semi final heat, Pastrana crossed into Faust’s lane in a
similar push for the finish line, and was disqualified. He later took
the bronze in a heat run to determine third place.
“I thought [Foust] might be a little bit ahead – I just totally
overtook that corner a little bit, and completely ran right through the
barrier,” Pastrana said. “They made a call, and we’ve been on the other side
of calls a lot…[w]e’ll take it – we’re still at the podium.”
Robinson Named Most Outstanding Athlete
At the medal ceremony that followed, BMX Freestyle rider Kevin Robinson
was named Subaru’s Most Outstanding Athlete of X Games 13. He will
receive a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX.
Robinson won gold in this year’s BMX Freestyle Big Air event and bronze
in the BMX Freestyle Vert competition, where he landed a double flair.
He remains the only rider in the world who has successfully landed
the trick in competition. A native of East Providence, RI, Robinson
competed in the very first X Games in 1995 and has only missed one of the
13 total X Games to date.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Rally Car Racing Super Special Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Rally Car Racing Super Special
event held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 5, 2007.
Driver / Co-Driver / Hometown / Hometown
1. Tanner Foust / Chrissie Beavis / Steamboat, CO / San Diego, CA
2. Ken Block / Alessandro Gelosomino / Encinitas, CA / Los Angeles, CA
3. Travis Pastrana / Christian Edstrom / Annapolis, MD / New York, NY
4. Ramana Lagemann / Mark Williams / Boston, MA / North Potomac, MD
5. Colin McRae / Carolyn Bosley / Lanark, Scotland / Burlington, VT
6. Andy Pinker / Robbie Durant / Perth, Australia / Oxford, England
7. Paul Choiniere / Jeff Becker / Shelburne, VT / Great Neck, NY
8. Andrew Comrie-Picard / Marc Goldfarb Edmonton, Alberta Canada /
Atkinson, NH
9. Boris Said / John Buffum / Carlsbad, CA / Colchester, VT
10. Pat Moro / Mike Rossey / Dublin, OH / Rochester, MI
11. Matt Iorio / Ole Holter / Marlborough, NH / Long Beach, CA
12. Otis Dimiters / Alan Ockwell / Great Neck, NY / Stouffville,
Ontario, Canada
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
White Is Tops At Men’s Skate Vert
Olympian, Winter X Games Champ Comes From Behind To Win The Gold
LOS ANGELES – At 20 years old, Shaun White already has an Olympic gold
medal and six Winter X Games gold medals around his neck – but before
today ESPN X Games gold had eluded him. He finished a disappointing
eighth place in last year’s Men’s Skateboard Vert competition, and this
afternoon found himself out of medal contention heading into his final
run on the Vert ramp at The Home Depot Center.
But one great run can change everything, and in front of X Games
commentator Tony Hawk and a cheering crowd of thousands, White put down a run
that knocked off then leader Pierre-Luc Gagnon and added yet another
milestone to what has been a remarkable career thus far.
“I’m overwhelmed,” White said just afterwards, catching his breath. “I
can’t even talk right now.”
White’s winning run included a 720°, a back side 540°, a McTwist, a
stalefish frontside rodeo into a frontside rodeo, and overall was
punctuated with the snowboard influenced, high amplitude style that has come to
define his riding. “Pretty much my goal was to never do a straight
air,” he explained. White hurled his board and helmet into the air after
finishing strong, raising his arms in triumph.
“This means the world to me,” White said. “Pierre threw down the
gauntlet for me, you know? I was just trying to stick my run...[i]t just
came together. I couldn’t let myself fall.”
Afterwards, White joined X Games commentators Sal Masakela and Tony
Hawk in the broadcast booth. “To finally see you make it, in this venue,
was amazing,” Hawk told White.
Silver medalist Gagnon was gracious about having the gold snatched away
by White. “We have different styles of skating – that’s what skating
is all about. It’s about being original and being unique,” he said.
“Getting bronze on the Mega Ramp and silver here definitely means a
whole lot.”
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
Skateboard Vert Men’s Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Skateboard Vert Men’s
competition held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 5, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Shaun White / Carlsbad, CA / 95.75
2. Pierre-Luc Gagnon / Carlsbad, CA / 91.25
3. Mathias Ringstrom / Stockholm, Sweden / 88.25
4. Alex Perelson / San Diego, CA / 88.00
5. Andy Macdonald / San Diego, CA / 86.25
6. Bucky Lasek / Baltimore, MD / 85.25
7. Rune Glifberg / Copenhagen, Denmark / 83.75
8. Bob Burnquist / Sao Paulo, Brazil / 80.50
9. Rob Lorifice / Encinitas, CA / 77.75
10. Sandro Dias / Santo Andre, Brazil / 76.25
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
August 4
The G.O.A.T. Takes Gold:
Carmichael Dominates In First Ever X Games Event
LOS ANGELES – 10-time AMA Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael may have
retired from full-time competition this year, but he couldn’t resist
running in the X Games’ first ever Moto X Racing event, held tonight at
The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
Carmichael dominated his Round One qualification heat, then rolled to
victory ahead of a field that included Grant Langston and Kevin Windham,
who took silver and medals, respectively.
Hailed as the “Greatest of all Time,” (G.O.A.T.), Carmichael has three
undefeated AMA Motocross seasons under his belt (2002, 2004-5), and is
shooting for his 150th career AMA win next week, a milestone no other
rider is even close to matching.
But even in semi-retirement, the X Games held a special allure for a
rider who has dominated his sport for over a decade.
“I’m so pumped, you have no idea,” Carmichael said. “I’ve always felt
like an outsider, if you will, just because I’ve never had my
discipline in the X Games, and to finally have it and to be the first one [to
win a gold medal]: awesome. I cannot describe to you how happy I am.”
“Our sport’s pretty big,” he added, “But to finally have [the X Games’]
blessing – it’s nice.”
X Games 13 concludes tomorrow at The Home Depot Center.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Moto X Freestyle Final Results
Results from the ESPN X Games 13 Moto X Freestyle Final competition
held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 4, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Adam Jones / Minden, NV / 94.20
2. Nate Adams / Glendale, AZ / 91.20
3. Jeremy Stenberg / Winchester, CA / 91.60
4. Jeremy Lusk / San Diego, CA / 90.80
5. Mike Mason / Carson City, NV / 90.80
6. Mat Rebeaud / Payerne, Switzerland / 90.40
7. Todd Potter / Temecula, CA / 89.00
8. Ronnie Faisst / Mays Landing, NY / 87.80
9. Dany Torres / Arahal, Spain / 84.40
10. Taka Higashino / Osaka, Japan / 71.40
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Jones Seizes Gold With Cliffhanger
Eye Popping Backflip Is Tops At Moto X Freestyle Final
LOS ANGELES – Last year’s silver medalist in the X Games Moto X
Freestyle competition came back to The Home Depot Center with something to
prove tonight, and he edged out a tough Final field that featured Nate
Adams, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg and Jeremy Lusk to take home the gold.
The trick that sealed the deal was a backflip cliffhanger: a 360°
backwards rotation off the ramp with a full upside down vertical body
extension. Jones also busted out a dead man and a backflip / heel click
combo to beat out the rest of the final four.
“I never expected this,” Jones said. “Never in a million years did I
think that somehow I would get a gold medal, and I did!”
Nate Adams was nursing a broken finger, but still popped tricks like a
lazy boy backflip and a Superman backflip to take second place.
Stenberg won the bronze.
“The crowd helps out the most – when you hear your fans screaming for
you it definitely makes you want to show off a little more for them,”
Stenberg said.
A sellout crowd of 34,976 packed The Home Depot Center for this
evening’s events. Total attendance so far for X Games 13 stands at 94,902.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Moto X Racing Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Moto X Racing event held at
The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 4, 2007.
Name / Hometown
1. Ricky Carmichael / Havana, FL
2. Grant Langston / Clermont, FL
3. Kevin Windham / Centreville, MS
4. Chad Reed / Tampa, FL
5. Michael Byrne / Newnan, GA
6. David Vuillemin / Murrieta, CA
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Moto X Freestyle Elimination Results
Results from the ESPN X Games 13 Moto X Freestyle Elimination
competition held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 4, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Adam Jones / Minden, NV / 94.20
2. Jeremy Stenberg / Winchester, CA / 91.60
3. Nate Adams / Glendale, AZ / 91.20
4. Jeremy Lusk / San Diego, CA / 90.80
The four riders will square off in the Moto X Freestyle Final this
evening at 7 p.m. PT.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Bestwick Is Best At BMX Freestyle Vert
Tabron’s Back-To-Back 900°s Are Worth Their Weight In Silver
LOS ANGELES – Some of the top BMX trick riders in the world put on a
spectacular display today at the BMX Freestyle Vert competition, part of
ESPN X Games 13. Brit Jamie Bestwick’s eye-popping first run scored a
93.66, and despite intense competition from Simon Tabron and others
that number held throughout the second round and Bestwick walked with the
gold.
Bestwick’s first run was a high-energy group of complex tricks,
including an opposite flair and a one-footed opposite double flair. But the
big moment came when he did a regular whip, then went straight into an
opposite double tail whip – which has never been landed in competition
before.
“I love being at the X Games. I get great treatment,” Bestwick said
afterwards. Finishing with this particular combo was something he’s
wanted to do for a while, he said, adding, “Everybody was just riding so
well – how could you not get inspired with all the great athletes out
here?”
Tabron, meanwhile, busted a precedent of his own: he hit two
back-to-back 900°s, which has also never been landed in competition. (He also
threw a no-handed bar spin 540° in for good measure.) In between,
though, he did straight airs off the vert ramp during the rest of his second
run, which Tabron acknowledged was probably the cause of him winning
silver, not gold.
“It’s been a dream of mine to do [the 900°] back-to-back since I
learned it. When I landed it [today], the first thing I thought was, ‘Did I
win?’ ” Tabron said. “But I can’t take anything away from Jamie. He’s
been a lifelong friend of mine, and today he was magnificent.”
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
BMX Freestyle Vert Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 BMX Freestyle Vert competition
held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 4, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Jamie Bestwick / Derbyshire, Great Britain / 93.66
2. Simon Tabron / Newquay, Great Britain / 92.66
3. Kevin Robinson / East Providence, RI / 88.33
4. Jimmy Walker / Gilberts, IL / 86.00
5. Dennis McCoy / Kansas City, MO / 84.66
6. Steve McCann / Melbourne, Australia / 84.66
7. Jay Eggleston / Denver, CO / 84.00
8. John Parker / State College, PA / 83.66
9. Zack Warden / Woodward, PA / 81.00
10. Francisco Zurita / Santiago, Chile / 76.00
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Dhers Tops In BMX Freestyle Park
Venezuelan Phenom Bests Cranmer, Mirra
LOS ANGELES – 22-year-old Daniel Dhers was in top form at the BMX
Freestyle Park Final today, posting a 90.66 in his first run, then a winning
mark of 91.66 in his second. He held off stiff competition from
reigning Freestyle Park champ Scotty Cranmer, as well as from the most
decorated athlete in X Games history, Dave Mirra, to take home the gold.
In only his second X Games appearance – he won bronze at last year’s
BMX Park event – Dhers was beyond consistent, hitting tricks like a
no-footed can to whip air, a triple whip, and a double whip. He also stuck
a 360° flip with a tail whip, which wowed the judges and put him over
the top.
“I started watching X Games in ’98. It was always a dream just to come
here,” Dhers said. “Last year I came on the scene and won Dew Tour,
Boost Mobile – pretty much everything I was in – and at the end of the
year somebody said, ‘Oh, you did everything but X Games.’ That was my
goal for this year. Now I’ve got it all.”
Among other tricks, last year’s gold medalist Cranmer landed a triple
whip and a double tail whip 360. He also hit a front flip over the
spine and was the only rider in the event to do so. His second run was his
best, but the 90.33 he received from the judges wasn’t enough to top
Dhers’ 91.66.
Mirra showed off some of the magic that has made him an international
superstar, including a tail whip backflip and an alley-oop tail whip,
but had to settle for bronze after a few stumbles.
“Today was Danny’s day,” Mirra said afterwards. “Danny filled more
tricks in his 60 seconds than any of us out here. He totally deserved to
win.”
BMX action continues later today at The Home Depot Center, with the
Freestyle Vert Final at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Oh, How The Tables Have Turned:
Burkhart Tops Ward In Dramatic Moto X SuperMoto Final
1-2 Finish Is Exact Reverse Of Last Year’s Race
LOS ANGELES – Jeff Ward led for 30½ of 35 laps of the ESPN X Games 13
Moto X SuperMoto Final today, but in the second-to-last lap Mark
Burkhart zipped by the veteran rider and held on to win the gold.
The finish felt eerily similar to fans of X Games SuperMoto: at last
year’s X Games 12, it was Ward who snatched the win after Burkhart had
led for 18 laps.
Turning last year’s silver medal into gold at X Games 13 was
particularly sweet for the 27-year-old Burkhart. “This year I’ve been trying to
ride differently,” he said after the race. “If anything, I’ve taught
myself to be patient, and patient people get rewarded.”
He went on, “I’ve been racing patient, trying not to throw away the
race at the beginning. The guys who are the most fit will finish best.
Those last fifteen minutes are always a killer.”
A sellout crowd packed The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, and cheered
Burkhart as he crossed the finish line.
Moto X action continues today with Moto X Racing beginning at 5:45 p.m.
PT, and the Moto X Freestyle Final going off this evening at 7 p.m.
PT.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
Moto X SuperMoto Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Moto X SuperMoto race held at
The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 4, 2007.
Name / Hometown
1. Mark Burkhart / Pataskala, OH
2. Jeff Ward / Newport Beach, CA
3. David Pingree / Temecula, CA
4. Ivan Lazzarini / Pesaro, Italy
5. Jeremy McGrath / Encinitas, CA
6. Micky Dymond / Placentia, CA
7. Steve Drew / Buckeye, AZ
8. Robbie Horton / Martinez, CA
9. Troy Herfoss / Goulburn, Australia
10. Tyler Evans / Hollywood Hills, CA
11. Benny Carlson / West Bend, WI
12. Adam Cini / Brisbane, Australia
13. Brandon Currie / Anaheim Hills, CA
14. Gary Trachy / Orange, CA
15. Carey Hart / Las Vegas, NV
16. Eric Sorby / Corona, CA
17. Chris Fillmore / Oxford, MI
18. Chad Reed / Tampa, FL
19. Steve Chambon / Entraigues, France
20. Darryl Atkins / Tokoroa, New Zealand
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
BMX Freestyle Park Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 BMX Freestyle Park competition
held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 4, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Daniel Dhers / Caracas, Venezuela / 91.66
2. Scotty Cranmer / Jackson, NJ / 90.33
3. Dave Mirra / Greenville, NC / 88.00
4. Garrett Reynolds / Tom’s River, NJ / 86.66
5. Mike Spinner / Miami, FL / 85.00
6. Ryan Nyquist / Greenville, NC / 82.00
7. Gary Young / San Diego, CA / 82.00
8. Josh Harrington / Greenville, NC / 81.33
9. Dennis Enarson / San Diego, CA / 80.33
10. Morgan Wade / Tyler, TX / 79.66
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
August 3
Cole Wins Skate Street Best Trick, Walks With $10K
Double 360° Flip Does The Trick
LOS ANGELES – Chris Cole, who’s already wearing ESPN X Games 13 gold
after his win earlier today in the Skateboard Street Men’s competition,
can add another feather to his cap and 10 G’s to his wallet. The
25-year-old from Levittown, PA bested four other riders this evening in the
Skateboard Street Best Trick Presented By Element competition, and won
the $10,000 cash prize.
Late in the second five-minute heat on the Street course at The Home
Depot Center, Cole landed a double 360° flip over the stairs, which wowed
the judges. The trick ended up besting the efforts of Cole’s fellows
skaters Eric Koston, Andrew Reynolds, Tony Tave and Nick Dompierre, who
all earned $2,500 tonight.
Koston, Reynolds and Dompierre were voted into the competition by fans,
who cast their ballots at www.expn.com and via text. Cole received a
bid after his Skate Street Men’s win, and Tave had his in hand as an
Element skater.
When asked how he felt about the win, Cole responded, “Winning cash is
cool, you know?”
Then he quickly added, “Wait, no, that’s a bad quote. What I mean to
say is, this course rules and it’s really been a lot of fun.”
Skating action continues Sunday at The Home Depot Center at X Games 13,
with the Legends of Vert demo going off at 10:30 a.m. PT, followed by
the Skateboard Men’s Vert Final at 12 noon.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
Renner Steps Up; 33’ Is The Magic Number
LOS ANGELES – Ronnie Renner soared exactly one foot above the
competition at the Moto X Step Up competition tonight, clearing the bar at 33’
on his first try. His fellow riders couldn’t follow and the mark was
good enough for the gold.
13,827 fans were in the house at STAPLES Center tonight, and the second
night of ESPN X Games 13 competition surged on in fine form as five
top riders tried their hand at Step Up. The final four (Renner, Tommy
Clowers, Brian Deegan and Matt Buyten) all cleared 32’, but it was the
30-year-old Renner alone who managed to leap the extra crucial foot.
“I expected it to go longer with Tommy [Clowers] in the mix. I had
some tough company,” Renner said. “I really thought we were going to
break some records tonight, but I’ll take it.”
Renner has made seven total X Games appearances, but this is his first
gold medal in any event.
Since 2004, the X Games has only handed out a gold medal in Step Up,
which meant that the three-way tie of Clowers, Deegan and Buyten were not
sharing silver.
When asked if he thought he deserved a medal Clowers said, “No – I
still get paid anyway.”
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
Moto X Step Up Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Moto X Step Up competition
held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA on August 3, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Height (Feet)
1. Ronnie Renner / Westminster, CA / 33.00
2. Brian Deegan / Temecula, CA / 32.00
2. Matt Buyten / Minden, NV / 32.00
2. Tommy Clowers / Ramona, CA / 32.00
5. Jeremy McGrath / Encinitas, CA / 26.00
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Skateboard Street Men’s Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Skateboard Street Men’s
competition held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 3, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Chris Cole / Levittown, PA / 94.33
2. Greg Lutzka / Huntington Beach, CA / 93.41
3. Jereme Rogers / Boston, MA / 87.41
4. Ryan Sheckler / San Clemente, CA / 87.16
5. Tommy Sandoval / Chula Vista, CA / 86.25
6. Paul Rodriguez / Northridge, CA / 86.00
7. Mark Appleyard / Burlington, Ontario, Canada / 84.91
8. Eric Koston / Los Angeles, CA / 82.75
9. Andrew Reynolds / Hollywood, CA / 80.50
10. Nick Dompierre / New Bedford, MA / 78.41
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
(C) MBN 2007 Photography by Joyce Chow
Robinson Repeats For BMX Freestyle Big Air Gold
X Games Vet Edges Out McCann, Napolitan
LOS ANGELES – The BMX Freestyle Big Air Final at X Games 13 on Thursday
was a barn-burner, and veteran rider Kevin Robinson was the one who
came out on fire. Making his 12th X Games appearance – he competed in
the very first X Games in 1995, and has only missed one year since –
Robinson squared off against a field comprised of mostly young bucks at
STAPLES Center, and emerged victorious.
After reaching verts of 18’ and 20’ on earlier runs, Robinson landed
the winning trick on his fourth run: a no-handed backflip over the gap,
followed by a flair that sent him soaring 18’ above the quarterpipe.
The judges gave him a 95.33, which held through the last round and
granted Robinson his second BMX Freestyle Big Air gold medal in as many
years.
“I’m so happy to be here at this event. I really care about it a lot,”
the East Providence, RI native said afterwards. “I’ve been at the X
Games since the beginning. It’s been really great to see the events
grow, and to grow with them.”
Steve McCann locked in the silver on his last run with a back flip tail
whip over the gap into a double tail flip with a 12’7” vert. The
judges gave McCann a 93 flat – just barely giving him the edge over Anthony
Napolitan, who snagged a 92.66 on his last run.
“I’m stoked on my first medal ever at the X Games,” McCann said.
Considering the massive dimensions of the Big Air ramp, “I was pumped I
could even hold it together” to complete the trick that launched him into
second place.
There is plenty more BMX action to come at X Games 13 – both the BMX
Freestyle Park event and the BMX Vert Final are happening tomorrow at The
Home Depot Center.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
BMX Freestyle Big Air Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 BMX Freestyle Big Air Final
held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA on August 3, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Kevin Robinson / East Providence, RI / 95.33
2. Steve McCann / Melbourne, Australia / 93.00
3. Anthony Napolitan / Youngstown, OH / 92.66
4. Morgan Wade / Tyler, TX / 92.33
5. Allan Cooke / Greenville, NC / 89.00
6. Mat Hoffman / Edmond, OK / 86.00
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com
“Ecstatic” Hawkins Grabs Gold In Women’s Skate Vert
Kickflips Seal The Deal; Knoop Wins Silver; Hatchell Tops In Men’s
Amateur Vert
LOS ANGELES – A pair of kickflips off the vert ramp were worth their
weight in gold for Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins today, as she cruised to a win in
the Women’s Skateboard Vert Final event as part of ESPN X Games 13.
At 17, Hawkins is already an X Games veteran; she’s been competing
since 2003. She won the Women’s Skate Vert in 2004, and nabbed the silver
two years ago at X Games 11. Last year she was sidelined with a knee
injury – but she came back today with a vengeance.
Hawkins landed two kickflips during the competition, and also came this
close to landing several McTwists. “I’m ecstatic,” she said
afterwards. “It’s like a dream come true.”
Commenting on the strong field today at The Home Depot Center, Hawkins
also added: “If I was a judge, I would have just quit.”
Mimi Knoop took the silver for a wicked combination of jumps:
fastplant, frontside invert, and multiple disasters. “The level of riding was
so high – I didn’t think I was going to medal,” Knoop said. “It was a
good day for all of us. We really took it to the next level.”
Elsewhere at The Home Depot Center, Ben Hatchell won the Amateur Men’s
Skate Vert competition with a score of 87.5. He landed a 540° off the
ramp and also a kickflip fronstide air into an ollie 360°.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com
Skateboard Vert Women’s Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Women’s Skateboard Vert Final
held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 3, 2007.
Name / Hometown
1. Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins / Cardiff By The Sea, CA
2. Mimi Knoop / Norfolk, VA
3. Cara-Beth Burnside / Encinitas, CA
4. Karen Jones / San Andre, Brazil
5. Holly Lyons / Walnut Creek, CA
6. Apryl Woodcock / Chino, CA
7. Jodi McDonald / West Palm Beach, FL
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com
BMX Freestyle Big Air Selection Session Results
McCann Leads Group That Will Meet Robinson, Cooke, Wade In Tonight’s
Finals
LOS ANGELES – Aussie Steve McCann and two other BMX riders, Anthony
Napolitan and Mat Hoffman, will square off with last year’s top finishers
in the BMX Freestyle Big Air Final this evening.
Day two of ESPN X Games 13 began at STAPLES Center with a rowdy
selection session that ended with McCann on top. His turndown backflip sent
him soaring 14’8” off the quarterpipe, and it was good enough for make
him the top qualifier.
Kevin Robinson and Allan Cooke were the top two finishers at last
year’s BMX Freestyle Big Air event. Morgan Wade, who finished in fourth
place, replaces the injured Chad Kagy.
“I’m treating this ramp with respect,” McCann said. “This jump is
awesome and very serious, and I have to give it for all these guys I’m
riding with. I can’t wait for tonight.”
The BMX Freestyle Big Air Final begins at 5:00 p.m. PT at STAPLES
Center.
The standings going into the finals are:
Name / Hometown
1. Kevin Robinson / East Providence, RI
2. Allan Cooke / Greenville, NC
3. Morgan Wade / Tyler, TX
4. Steve McCann / Melbourne, Australia
5. Anthony Napolitan / Youngstown, OH
6. Mat Hoffman / Edmond, OK
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com
Cole Keeps Gold In Skateboard Street Men’s Final
Win Marks Cole’s Third Straight Medal In Event, Second Consecutive Win
LOS ANGELES – Chris Cole, the reigning champ in the Skateboard Street
Men’s event, turned in a superb performance – which included
96.75-worthy third run, the highest single score of the day – to once again come
home with the gold over stiff competition from Greg Lutzka.
Representing Levittown, PA, Cole was all but flawless today at ESPN X
Games 13. He wowed spectators at The Home Depot Center with two early
runs of 93.50 and 92.75, then turned up the heat as, going into his
third run and slightly trailing Lutzka, he stuck a kick flip back lick (on
the rail) and a grapefruit grind (on the flat bar) to score an
eye-popping 96.75.
“These guys are so good – I was worried all the way to the very end,”
Cole said. “Each year this competition gets better. Last year the
course was great, and this year it was even better. The tricks just
presented themselves.”
Lutzka landed a flip switch 270° in zone two to net a 96.25 on his
second run and put serious heat on the reigning champ. Afterwards Lutzka
remarked, “Today I was trying to throw down tricks I’ve never done
before. I was really stoked to land the flip switch.” He added, “I am
totally cool with second place.”
Jereme Rogers took the bronze, and 17-year-old skating phenom Ryan
Sheckler landed in fourth with an 87.16.
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
or on www.espneventmedia.com for media only.
Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and
other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009
Women’s Skateboard Street Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Women’s Skateboard Street
competition held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 3, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Marisa Dal Santo / LaGrange, IL / 86.08
2. Elissa Steamer / San Francisco, CA / 80.33
3. Amy Caron / Huntington Beach, CA / 80.16
4. Lacey Baker / Covina, CA / 71.41
5. Evelien Bouilliart / Aaler-Oost, Belgium / 65.75
6. Vanessa Torres / Silver Lake, CA / 62.66
7. Lauren Perkins / Huntington Beach, CA / 60.08
8. Leticia Bufoni / Sao Paulo, Brazil / 58.16
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com
August 2
Moto X Best Trick Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Moto X Best Trick Final held
at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA on August 2, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Kyle Loza / Trabuco Canyon, CA / 94.20
2. Adam Jones / Minden, NV / 91.00
3. Todd Potter / Temecula, CA / 91.00
4. Mat Rebeaud / Payerne, Switzerland / 89.40
5. Jeremy Lusk / San Diego, CA / 87.60
6. Remi Bizouard / Bergerac, France / 85.80
7. Jim McNeil / Phoenix, AZ / 85.60
8. Brian Deegan / Temecula, CA / 83.40
9. Jeremy Stenberg / Winchester, CA / 83.20
10. Scott Murray / Helps, MI / 66.00
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com
Dal Santo Celebrates Birthday With Women’s Skate Street Win
Backside Flip Snatches Gold From Reigning Champ Steamer
LOS ANGELES – Marisa Dal Santo unseated three-time gold medalist Elissa
Steamer at the ESPN X Games 13 Skateboard Street Women’s Final today –
and she did it on her 20th birthday, no less.
Steamer had won the gold medal the previous three years running (X
Games 10, 11, and 12) and seemed to be the favorite heading into today’s
competition at The Home Depot Center. But that was before Dal Santo
pulled out a backside flip that netted her the highest individual score
(92.5) of the competition.
Dal Santo was neck-and-neck with Steamer after zone two, but then hit
her eye-popping backside flip when she hit zone three (stairs and rails)
to pull ahead.
“Last year I was trying to do [tricks] no one else was doing,” she
explained, in reference to her fourth place performance in X Games 12.
“This year I just focused on stuff I knew I could land – but I didn’t
think I was going to land the backside flip!”
Accepting the silver, Steamer enthused that Dal Santo was “gnarly
today,” and further added, “I really like skating in the X Games – it’s kind
of stressful, but when you look back you realize how much fun it was.”
Representing Huntington Beach, CA, Amy Caron’s 80.16 was good enough
for third place. This is Caron’s fifth year in X Games competition, and
she was coming off a sixth place finish in last year’s Women’s Skate
Street.
“Don’t call it a comeback,” she said, in reference to her bronze medal
and quoting an L.L. Cool J classic. “I’ve been here for years.”
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
or on www.espneventmedia.com for media only.
Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and
other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
“The Volt” Electrifies Crowd At STAPLES Center;X Games First-Timer Kyle Loza Takes Gold In Moto X Best Trick Final
LOS ANGELES – A brash young group of Moto X riders gave 17,174 fans at
STAPLES Center plenty to cheer about this evening, as Kyle Loza,
competing in his first ever X Games event, busted out a heart-stopping trick
of his own design – “The Volt” – to win gold.
The Moto X Best Trick Final capped off the first day of ESPN X Games
13, which saw, among other feats, a new record for Thursday X Games
attendance: between STAPLES Center and The Home Depot Center, 30,374 fans
took in all the action sports on display.
“Action” was definitely the name of the game at the Moto X Best Trick
Final, as Scott Murray attempted without success to duplicate Travis
Pastrana’s unprecedented double backflip from last year; Adam Jones nailed
a backflip variation (and a 91.00 for his second run) that was good
enough for the silver; and Todd Potter landed a “Kiss of Death” backflip
for the bronze.
But it was “The Volt,” from X Games newbie Loza, that wowed the judges
and launched the 21-year-old rider to the gold medal. The trick, which
featured Loza doing a full 360° turn above the seat while his bike was
airborne, has been in the works for some while. “I’ve been working on
it for a long time,” he said, noting that his fellow riders had been
urging him to perfect flips, which have captivated the Moto X world in
recent years. The Volt, he said, is “gnarly – you have to do the whole
trick before your bike peaks out on you!”
“This is our life,” Jones said with a shrug when asked about his
backflip variation and the evening’s other breathtaking jumps. “This is our
job.”
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded
its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards
and DVDs.
X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
Skateboard Big Air Final Results
Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 Skateboard Big Air Final held
at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA on August 2, 2007.
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Bob Burnquist / Sao Paulo, Brazil / 95.66
2. Jake Brown / Sydney, Australia / 95.33
3. Pierre-Luc Gagnon / Carlsbad, CA / 93.00
4. Buster Halterman / Wellsville, PA / 85.00
5. Bucky Lasek / Baltimore, MD / 83.33
6. Rob Lorifice / Encinitas, CA / 79.33
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Appleyard Posts Best Score Of Day To Go From Fourth To First In Skateboard Street Men’s Selection Session
Nine Advance; Will Take On Cole In Friday’s Final
LOS ANGELES – Today at the ESPN X Games 13 Skateboard Street Men’s
Selection Session, Mark Appleyard posted a 94.25 – the highest score of the
day – to zoom from fourth to first place and secure his position in
the finals.
Appleyard earned his big number in zone three of the course, which
features stairs and rails. He advances to the finals along with eight of
the 18 other skaters, including X Games 11 Street Men’s gold medalist
Paul Rodriguez and 17-year-old phenom Ryan Sheckler.
Each will be trying to best the reigning Street Men’s gold medalist,
Chris Cole. Cole dominated the Street Men’s competition at last year’s X
Games 12, earning perfect 100s from two of the judges on his way to
the gold. He was a bronze medalist at X Games 11’s Street Men’s and also
that year (2005) was named Thrasher magazine’s Skater of the Year.
The Street Men’s Final will be held Friday at 12:30 p.m. PT at The Home
Depot Center.
The standings going into the finals are:
1. Chris Cole / Levittown, Pennsylvania
2. Mark Appleyard / Burlington, Ontario, Canada
3. Eric Koston / Los Angeles, California
4. Paul Rodriguez / Northridge, California
5. Greg Lutzka / Huntington Beach, California
6. Jereme Rogers / Boston, Massachusetts
7. Ryan Sheckler / San Clemente, California
8. Tommy Sandoval / Chula Vista, California
9. Nick Dompierre / New Bedford, Massachusetts
10. Andrew Reynolds / Hollywood, California
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
Skateboard Big Air Selection Session Results
Lasek Leads Group That Will Meet Brown, Burnquist In Tonight’s Finals
LOS ANGELES – Bucky Lasek led the group of four skaters that qualified
to move on to tonight’s Skateboard Big Air Finals, where they will
battle Jake Brown and Bob Burnquist for ESPN X Games 13 gold.
Last year’s Big Air winner Danny Way, a three-time consecutive gold
medalist in the event (in X Games 10, 11 and 12) is not competing due to
injury. Brown and Burnquist won silver and bronze respectively in last
year’s Big Air Finals, granting them the top two slots in tonight’s
final.
Lasek, who has earned a total of 11 lifetime X Games medals, has had
more career success in the Vert Men’s competition, where he’s won four
gold medals. He last competed in Big Air in 2005 and finished in fourth
place.
For the first time this year, 60 linear feet of the Big Air downramp is
suspended from the ceiling at STAPLES Center. The Big Air ramp
contains over 15,000 screws and 60,000 pounds of metal and took a full five
days to build.
The Skateboard Big Air Final begins at 5:00 p.m. PT at STAPLES Center.
The standings going into the finals are:
1. Jake Brown / Sydney, Australia
2. Bob Burnquist / Sao Paulo, Brazil
3. Bucky Lasek / Baltimore, Maryland
4. Buster Halterman / Wellsville, Pennsylvania
5. Pierre-Luc Gagnon / Carlsbad, California
6. Rob Lorifice / Encinitas, California
Information on all X Games events can be found on www.expn.com for fans
July 31
COMPETITION SCHEDULE BY DAY
All times listed are Pacific Time (PT)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 (**closed to the public – for media planning purposes only**)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Practice The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. BMX Freestyle Park Practice The Home Depot Center
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Skateboard Street M & W Practice The Home Depot Center
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Moto X Freestyle Practice The Home Depot Center
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Skateboard Vert Am Practice The Home Depot Center
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s Practice The Home Depot Center
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Skateboard Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
Thursday, August 2, 2007
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Practice The Home Depot Center
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Moto X Freestyle Practice The Home Depot Center
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Skateboard Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Skateboard Street Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. BMX Freestyle Park Practice The Home Depot Center
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Skateboard Big Air Selection Session STAPLES Center*
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Skateboard Street Men’s Selection SessionThe Home Depot Center
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Rally Car Racing Tarmac Practice The Home Depot Center
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Skateboard Street Women’s Practice The Home Depot Center
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Moto X Best Trick Practice STAPLES Center
4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Skateboard Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Skateboard Vert AM’s Practice The Home Depot Center
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s Practice The Home Depot Center
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Skateboard Big Air FINAL STAPLES Center
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Moto X Best Trick FINAL STAPLES Center
Friday, August 3, 2007
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Moto X SuperMoto Practice The Home Depot Center
9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Skateboard Street Men & Women Practice The Home Depot Center
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Practice The Home Depot Center
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Moto X SuperMoto Seeding The Home Depot Center
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Skateboard Street Women’s FINAL The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Skateboard Vert Am’s Practice The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. BMX Freestyle Park Practice The Home Depot Center
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Moto X Racing Practice The Home Depot Center
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air Selection SessionSTAPLES Center*
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Skateboard Street Men’s FINAL The Home Depot Center
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Rally Car Racing Tarmac Practice The Home Depot Center
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s Practice The Home Depot Center
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Skateboard Vert Women’s FINAL The Home Depot Center
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Moto X Step Practice STAPLES Center
4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air Practice STAPLES Center
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Skateboard Vert Am Jam* Home Depot Center
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Skateboard Vert AM’s FINAL The Home Depot Center
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Moto X Freestyle Practice The Home Depot Center
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air FINAL STAPLES Center
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Moto X Step Up FINAL STAPLES Center
9:45 p.m. – 10 p.m. Skateboard Street Men’s Best Trick The Home Depot Center
Saturday, August 4, 2007
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Moto X SuperMoto Practice The Home Depot Center
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Moto X Racing Practice The Home Depot Center
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. BMX Freestyle Park Practice The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Moto X Freestyle Practice The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Legends of Vert Practice The Home Depot Center
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. BMX Freestyle Park FINAL The Home Depot Center
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Moto X SuperMoto FINAL The Home Depot Center
2 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Practice The Home Depot Center
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Moto X Freestyle Elimination The Home Depot Center
4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert FINAL The Home Depot Center
5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Moto X Racing Round 1 The Home Depot Center
Moto X Racing Round 2 The Home Depot Center
Moto X Racing FINAL The Home Depot Center
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Moto X Freestyle FINAL The Home Depot Center
Sunday, August 5, 2007
8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Rally Car Racing Practice The Home Depot Center
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Legends of Vert The Home Depot Center
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s Practice The Home Depot Center
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Skateboard Vert Men’s FINAL The Home Depot Center
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Rally Car Racing Super Special The Home Depot Center
*Asterisked events are not medaled competitions; they are exhibition events.
Bold denotes events that are Live.
This schedule is subject to change
ESPN’S DIGITAL PLATFORMS MAKE X GAMES 13
MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER TO FANS AROUND THE WORLD
Live Coverage Online at EXPN.com and ESPN Mobile TV; iTunes Athlete Playlists, Video;
DISH Network™ Interactive TV
When X Games 13 begins from Los Angeles, Calif. on August 2, fans around the world will have more ways than
ever to experience all of the action. In addition to comprehensive television coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC,
ESPN is utilizing all of its digital platforms to allow fans anywhere, with any device, the ability to follow action sports’
top athletes perform on the premier competitive stage. Fans will find extensive X Games 13 content on EXPN.com,
ESPN360.com, ESPN mobile platforms (including ESPN Mobile TV and ESPN MVP), Apple’s iTunes Store, and via
DISH Network’sTM interactive TV (ITV) application on DishHOME channel 100.“Digital media and the X Games are a natural combination,” said Rick Alessandri, Managing Director, X Games
Franchise. “Like the athletes, the fans of X Games are active and on the go. These media platforms are, in many
ways, as important to them as traditional television coverage.”
ONLINE
LIVE VIDEO – EXPN.com and ESPN360.com
EXPN.com and ESPN360.com will offer more than 40 hours of live programming – a combination of web-exclusive
and simulcast coverage from ESPN and ESPN2 (full schedule follows – all times ET).
Tues., July 31
2-4 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Practice
4-7 p.m. Men's Skateboard Vert Practice
7-9 p.m. Women's Skateboard Vert Practice
Weds., Aug. 1
2-4 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Practice
4-7 p.m. Men's Skateboard Vert Practice
7-9 p.m. Women's Skateboard Vert Practice
Thurs., Aug. 2
1-4 p.m. Moto X Freestyle Practice
4-7 p.m. Men's Skateboard Vert Practice
7-8 p.m. Amateur Skateboard Vert Practice
8-9 p.m. Skateboard Big Air Final
9-11 p.m. ESPN Simulcast
Fri., Aug. 3
2-3:30 p.m. BMX Freestyle Practice
3:30-5:30 p.m. Men's Skateboard Street Final
5:30-6 p.m. Women's Skateboard Vert Practice
6-7:45 p.m. Women's Skateboard Vert Final
8-9 p.m. BMX Freestyle Big Air Final
9-11 p.m. ESPN Simulcast
Sat., Aug. 4
2-5 p.m. Men's Skateboard Vert Practice
5-6:30 p.m. BMX Freestyle Vert Final
6:30-7 p.m. Moto X Freestyle
7-9 p.m. ESPN2 Simulcast
9-11 p.m. ESPN Simulcast
EXPN.
EXPN.com Coverage
The newly re-designed EXPN.com will include comprehensive coverage from the event, including:
• Skateboard Street Best Trick presented by Element – first fan-determined contest in X Games history;voting opens immediately after webcast of the event on Fri., Aug. 3 at 10 p.m. PT (Aug. 4 at 1 a.m. ET);
• Exclusive multimedia coverage of each final – live results, video recaps, photo galleries, insider informationand features;
• Exclusive multimedia coverage of each qualifier – including a special look at ‘dark horse’ contenders;
• Blogs and vlogs from Moto X rider Brian Deegan and skateboarder Danny Way. These X Games goldmedalists will discuss practice sessions and competition preparations;
• X13 Podcasts – video and audio podcasts available via the ESPN Podcenter, EXPN.com and iTunes;
• Page 2 – Mary Buckheit, from ESPN.com’s award-winning Page 2, will file all-access stories from behindthe-scenes at X Games 13;
• X13 Surf Webcast – free replay of the X games 13 surfing competition held July 3-6 in Puerto Escondido,Mexico. Webcast features complete user integration; simultaneous leaderboard, chat transcript, polling
and video highlights;
• Rally Rider – exclusive X Games online video game lets users to create their dream rally track and set theirdriver loose on an original creation.
The iTunes Store
iTunes (www.itunes.com) is the exclusive source for downloads from X Games 13 and will have a dedicatedsection featuring free and premium content that includes music of the X Games, videos, podcasts and athlete
celebrity playlists. X Games gold medalists Ricky Carmichael (Moto X) and Kevin Robinson (BMX) will provide
their own personal playlists, including their favorite 12-15 songs and commentary on the selections.
Free X Games video content on iTunes will include top X Games moments and video recaps of the events. X
Games content available for purchase and download on iTunes will include 14 exclusive long-form video packages
from before, during and after the event, varying in length from 20-45 minutes. These videos can be purchased
individually for $1.99 or as a “Season Pass” for $19.99.
MOBILE - ESPN Mobile TV and ESPN MVP
ESPN and MediaFLO USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated, will team up to offer
eight hours of live X Games coverage daily, from August 2-5, on EXPN — a special mobile TV channel dedicated
solely to the X Games, a first on MediaFLO USA’s FLO TV™ mobile television service. Viewers will be able towatch everything from practices, qualifying events and finals beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Thurs., Aug. 2 and
concluding at 6 p.m. ET on Sun., Aug. 5. Highlights of previous years’ X Games will be shown on the channel
through Aug. 1, and “Best of the X Games” and X Game 13 replays will air through Aug. 6-7. Mobile coverage will
include an innovative ‘double box’ segment, allowing viewers inside the car to see two rally car drivers compete
side-by-side via in-car cameras. FLO TV is currently available through Verizon Wireless as V CAST Mobile TV. The
dedicated X Games channel will supplement live coverage of the X Games on ESPN Mobile TV, one of the eight
regular channels available on FLO TV.
ESPN MVP, ESPN’s signature mobile service available exclusively through V CAST on Verizon Wireless, will
feature a dedicated content area, giving users one-touch access to all the best ESPN multimedia content from X
Games 13.
INTERACTIVE TELEVISION – ESPN and DISH Network
Beginning Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. ET and continuing through the end of X Games 13 telecasts on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. ET,
ESPN, DISH Network™ and X Games are putting fans in control with the ESPN Interactive X Games. Theinteractive channel – available on Channel 100 – will enable fans to enjoy six X Games channels on one screen.
There will be channels for X Games 13, the Best of X and four sport dedicated channels – Skateboards, BMX,
Surfing and Engines. Fans can select the channel they want and view it in normal full screen television format.
NETWORK TELEVISION COVERAGE – ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC
In total, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will offer 14.5 hours of X Games coverage. Full schedule follows (all times ET):
Thurs., Aug. 2, 8:30 - 11 p.m. ESPN
Skateboard Big Air Final
Moto X Best Trick Final
Fri., Aug. 3, 8:30 - 11 p.m. ESPN
BMX Freestyle Big Air Final
Moto X Step Up Final
Sat., Aug. 4, 3 - 6 p.m. ABC
BMX Freestyle Park Final
Surfing Men's Final
SuperMoto Final
Sat., Aug. 4, 7 - 8:30 p.m. ESPN 2
Moto X Freestyle Elimination
BMX Freestyle Vert Final
Sat., Aug. 4, 9 - 11 p.m. ESPN
Moto X Racing Final
Surf Women's Final
Moto X Freestyle Final
Sun., Aug. 5, 3 - 6 p.m. ABC
Skateboard Vert Final
Skateboard Street Men's
Rally Car Racing Final
QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. MediaFLO and FLO TV are trademarks of
QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
X Games Benefit Presented by The V Foundation and STAPLES
Center Foundation to Kick Off X Games 13
Athlete and Artist Painted Skate Decks to be Unveiled at the First Time Charity Event
Hosted by ESPN’s and E! Entertainment Television’s Sal Masekela, the X Games benefit will provide
music by the world famous KROQ, celebrities, X Games 13 competitors in BMX, Moto X, Skateboard,
Surfing and Rally Car Racing. Most notably the following featured athletes will include V Foundation X
Games spokespeople Mat Hoffman (BMX), Kenny Bartram (Moto X) and Tricia Byrnes (Snowboard). In
addition, 2006 Olympic Snowboard Silver Medalist, Gretchen Bleiller and last year’s X Games BMX Big
Gold Medalist, Kevin Robinson, will also be in attendance.
”The V Foundation has a special place within the ESPN family, and we are proud to support this first time
benefit,” said Rick Alessandri, Managing Director, X Games Franchise. “We are excited to open this
year’s X Games with such a good cause and the participation and support of the action sports community
has been tremendous.”
The exclusive opening night bash will take place Wednesday, August 1 at 6 p.m. atop the STAPLES
Center celebrated City View Terrace, providing panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and featuring
the award winning cuisine of Levy Restaurants. A silent auction filled with sports memorabilia and painted
skateboard decks will highlight the benefit event. There will be an exclusive VIP meet and greet with X
GAMES 13 featured athletes and celebrity guests. Proceeds will support the work of two important
charities, both the STAPLES Center Foundation and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Topurchase tickets, visit www.staplescenterfoundation.com.In conjunction with the X Games Benefit that will be ongoing throughout the entire weekend of X Games
13, the second-annual skatedeck design project will also raise funds for The V Foundation for Cancer
Research. Powell Skate One has once again donated blank skate decks for the event. Artists, celebrities
and athletes have painted their own design on the boards that will be on display at the X Games benefit
as well as auctioned at the Team ESPN booth during X Games. Those not in attending X Games will
also be able to participate as skatedecks will be online at www.expn.com.
Three boards on display on www.expn.com. (l to r): David Swift, Creative Director 20th Century Fox; BillMorrison, Illustrator First Ever Simpson Comic Book; Bob Burnquist, Pro Skateboarder
”I'm always willing to get involved with a good cause, so when ESPN asked me if I would like to paint a
skate deck for an auction to raise money for The V Foundation, I was more than happy to tap into my
artistic side,” said Chad Kagy, 2006 BMX Vert gold medalist. “This time of the year is always very busy in
my life, but I made sure I set some time aside for this project, I may be busy but if my time can help save
lives, I'm more than willing to do what I can. I hope my deck brings a good amount of money in
auction, either way I'm stoked to help out.”
In addition, Kagy has committed to riding his BMX bike that was specially painted with The V Foundation
logo in the shape of his bike frame during his competitions and then auctioning his bike with proceeds
going to The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Presenting sponsor for the X Games Benefit is The Wasserman Foundation.
STAPLES Center Foundation
The Foundation has established a number of partnerships in the Los Angeles community to assist
charities in raising funds and awareness for their organizations with a special emphasis on the lowincome
neighborhoods surrounding the arena. The Foundation has donated an excess of $7 million in
financial and in-kind support to many community-based organizations, helping to reach those in need.
About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano,
legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation
has raised more than $60 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation now
awards 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer
research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received a top 4-star rating from Charity
Navigator for five consecutive years, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly
supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a
donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
About Team ESPN
Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach initiatives, including volunteerism,
corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN,
ESPN, its employees and its fans work together to make a difference. Team ESPN… Fans Helping Fans.
www.teamespn.com
For more information on the V foundation and ESPN’s corporate outreach initiatives, please visit
www.jimmyv.org and www.teamespn.com
Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN
“GREENING X GAMES 13”
X GAMES ENVIRONMENTALITY™ FACT
SHEET
Eco-Action through Action Sports
X Games Environmentality (XGE) is a comprehensive program that drives environmental
stewardship through all facets of event planning. By bringing environmental initiatives to the
forefront of operations, we minimize the impact of this event through waste minimization, the use
of renewable resources and environmentally conscious products, and pollution prevention. X
Games is a leader in hosting environmentally responsible sporting events.
• In an effort to reduce waste sent to local landfills, spectators, staff, and athletes will sort
waste into custom three-way bins that collect recyclable beverage containers, compostable
organic materials, and trash. The recyclable and compostable materials will be processed
at Community Recycling, a specialized materials recovery facility in the San Fernando
Valley. Cardboard, construction materials, metals, electronics, and plastic shrink wrap will
also be recycled at X Games 13. ECO-FACT: 71 percent of event waste was diverted fromthe landfill last year at X Games 12.
• Spectators who utilize the LA County Metro system or carpool (4 or more per car) to The
Home Depot Center will receive a special prize in recognition of their efforts to rideshare.
ECO-FACT: U.S. public transportation systems help to create a healthier environment by
reducing smog-producing pollutants and greenhouse gases. For example, public
transportation produces nearly 50 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide
(NOx) per passenger mile than private vehicles.
• X Games Environmentality presents the TRASHed Recycling Store in X Fest at the Home
Depot Center. Spectators who “Get Caught Recycling” throughout the venue will be
rewarded with tokens they can redeem for valuable prizes at the TRASHed Recycling Store.
Many of these prizes present an environmentally friendly message and are made from
recycled materials. The TRASHed Recycling Store is an interactive experience where
spectators can learn about XGE initiatives. ECO-FACT: Over 11,000 pounds of emptybeverage containers were recycled at X Games 12
• Serviceware items, such as cups, plates, and napkins used in the Staff Catering tent are
made from renewable and compostable materials, including PLA plastic made from corn and
Bagasse, a fiber made from sugarcane by-product. ECO-FACT: PLA polymers are theworld’s first greenhouse gas neutral plastic, they use 68 percent fewer fossil fuels to produce
than other polymers.
• The event media guide is printed on post-consumer, recycled paper and has a recycled
plastic binding.
• Wood used to construct ramps at X Games is made from trees grown in certified, responsibly-managed forests. ECO-FACT: Using wood and paper products that are certified
by groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council ensures that the impact of logging is
managed properly to avoid unnecessary habitat destruction and water pollution in forests
around the world.
• X Games Environmentality and the National Arbor Day Foundation are planting 500 trees on behalf of each athlete participating in X Games 13. ECO-FACT: At maturity, these trees will
help sequester more than 138 tons of carbon dioxide annually, while purifying water,
reducing temperatures, and providing natural resources.
Visit www.XGamesEnvironmentality.com to learn more.
NOTABLE QUOTES
"Everyone wants to get to that young generation…I think ESPN allows us to do that because of
the inroads they have made with the X Games." – Former NFL quarterback John Elway,
Associated Press, May 27, 2007"I'd ride dirt bikes in the X Games." - Victoria Baugh, forward on the All-USA girls basketball team
when asked what she would do if she couldn’t play basketball, USA Today, Apr. 25, 2007"Travis Pastrana's double back flip on a motorcycle...was only one of several never-before-landed
tricks during four days of competition that came to an end Sunday, and X Games 12 will surely go
down as a turning point in the history of action sports," LA Times, Aug. 7, 2006 "(The) X Games put Olympic goals on (the) global stage…" New York Times, Aug. 5, 2006“Skateboarding may well be added to the Olympic menu for 2012 as part of the International
Olympic Committee's push to make the Games more attractive to the X Games crowd.” – Boston Globe,
June 20, 2007“ESPN's X Games came along to spread the gospel of action sports, and, by the late 1990s,
skaters were bigger than ever.” – Baltimore Sun, June 23, 2007“It's something that's been going on for crazy long…Kids that skateboard, all they do is listen to
hip-hop…and checking out the X Games is second nature.’' – SkaterRap.com co-founder Carlos
Vasquez, San Jose Mercury News, Dec. 23, 2006“Mainstream attention…has mostly been good for skateboarding. Exposure like the X Games has
improved public acceptance and understanding. There are now more public skateparks than
ever…The exposure has created more skateboarders, which has resulted in a vibrant and diverse
industry, allowing all kinds of skateboarders to make a living designing, building, creating,
documenting and doing what we love: skateboarding.” – Chris Miller, Skateboarder magazine,Aug. 2006
“The X Games and the ESPYs are not just over-hyped creations of ESPN. Everyone thinks
they’re legitimate and meaningful.” – Wisconsin State Journal, Aug. 4, 2006
"ESPN and the NSL have been very good to us by giving us this event…It finally shows how
much we've grown as a surfing community. It shows that Puerto Escondido isn't just a place of
great waves, but also talented locals." - Local Game surfer Coco Nogales, Eastern SurfingMagazine/Surfline.com, July 3, 2006
“In 1995 ESPN discovered skating and BMX, and conjured up the X Games as a way to plug
directly into the hearts and minds of the most coveted consumers on the planet” – Grist Magazine
, Aug. 17, 2006
“…rally racing is definitely exciting. The difficult thing is showing other people how exciting it really
is…I think (rally racing) -- on TV -- is a great spectator sport. It just requires a bit of a television
package to do that, and there's no better television package than the ABC/ESPN combination
that the X Games has.” - Tanner Foust, IGN.com, Aug. 8, 2006
“It's so good to feel the energy of this competition and I’m so proud. This is the prestigious X
Games. This is the show of the world. I’m so psyched to have earned the first 10 in X Games
History. It was one of the best and most important 10s I've ever posted.” – MVP Chris Ward of the
X Games 13 USA Men’s Surf Team on his perfect 10 scored wave, July 5, 2007
THE HOME DEPOT CENTER
The Venue: The Home Depot Center is the nation’s most complete training facility for Olympic, amateur
and professional athletes. Developed and operated by AEG, the $150 million Home Depot
Center represents the largest investment in amateur athletics ever made. Created around a
27,000-seat soccer stadium, 13,000-seat tennis stadium, 20,000-seat track & field facility, the
complex is located on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills. The complex
has also been designated as “official” training sites for USA Cycling, United States Track &
Field, and the home of the USA Tennis High Performance National Training Center.
When: August 2-5, 2007
What: For the first time in Los Angeles, BMX Freestyle Vert will take place outside at The Home
Depot Center. BMX Freestyle Park will once again be featured inside the tennis stadium at
The Home Depot Center.
Moto X Freestyle will take center stage in the 27,000-seat soccer stadium and showcases all
of the best freestyle moto riders in the world. Making its X Games debut, the newly added
discipline of Moto X Racing will showcase the premier stadium motocross racers in the worldcompeting in an event collaboratively developed by Ricky Carmichael and ESPN. Moto X SuperMoto
returns for a fourth year with a new course design taking riders inside and outsideof the soccer stadium, in the parking lots and other open spaces in and around the campus of
California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Rally Car Racing will return to The Home Depot Center complex after a successful debut last
year at X Games 12. New to this year’s “Super Special” stage, teams will be paired up and
race head-to-head through the course in an elimination format.
Skateboard Vert Men’s and Women’s competitions will also be held outdoors at The Home Depot Center for the first time in Los Angeles. The Skateboard Street Men’s and Women’s
competitions will be held inside the ADT Event Center (an indoor cycling vellodrome) at The
Home Depot Center for a second straight year.
Events at The Home Depot Center are ticketed and can be purchased through all
Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, The Home Depot Center box office and Team LA
at Universal CityWalk.
STAPLES CENTER
When: August 2-3, 2007
What: BMX Freestyle Big Air, which was featured as a pay-per-view event at X Games 12, will be
returning this year as part of the live network coverage. It will again be a medaled event and
held inside the STAPLES Center for the first time ever.
Moto X Step Up will be returning to inside the STAPLES Center after having been held at TheHome Depot Center the last two years. Moto X Best Trick will again take place inside this
year at STAPLES Center.
Skateboard Big Air like BMX Freestyle Big Air will also be featured inside STAPLES Center,
using the massive ramp on which athletes will choose to launch over a gap of 50 or 70 feet
and continue into a 27-foot quarter-pipe.
The Venue: STAPLES Center, located in downtown Los Angeles, is the sports and entertainment center of
the world, having hosted more than 1200 events and 20 million guests since opening on
October 17, 1999. STAPLES Center is home to five professional sports franchises - the NBA’s
Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, the AFL’s Los
Angeles Avengers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. STAPLES Center continues to
distinguish itself as the host of major, high profile events of national and international
distinction, including the NBA All-Star Game, NHL All-Star Game, the Grammy Awards, the
2000 Democratic National Convention, Pac-10 Basketball Championships, and the X Games.
STAPLES Center’s first seven years have also been marked with landmark performances
and special events including concerts by U2, Paul McCartney, Don Henley, Madonna, the
Rolling Stones, Britney Spears, the Dave Matthews Band, the Eagles and many others.
PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO
The Venue: Puerto Escondido is located south of the Sierra Madre Mountains and north of a tropical jungle
along Oaxaca’s Emerald Coast. In the summer, the climate is wet and temperatures range
from 75 to 95 degrees. As part of the Mexican Pipeline, surfers come from around the world to
surf the powerful waves. With areas of gentle curves and others with powerful breaks, it has
been a surfing destination since it was discovered in the 1970s. Thanks to a huge underwater
shelf just offshore, Zicatela Beach picks up and makes the most of any swell.
When: July 3-6, 2007
What: After a successful three years in Puerto Escondido, the biggest change to the X Games
surfing competition is the addition of Women’s Surfing. The National Surf League’s (NSL) The Game™
will once again be the format for competition, but with a new change this year. TheGame’s™ first four years at X highlighted the traditional East and West Coast Rivalry. At X
Games 13, The Game™ becomes global as the two coasts combine to form the USA Teams,
and their opponent will be the World Teams comprised of the top surfers from outside the
United States. This is the fifth year that Surfing will be a part of the X Games and the third
year it is staged in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. The X Games 13 Surfing competition is free ofcharge.
THE HISTORY OF X
A Brief History of the X Games
The story of X begins in 1993 with the event’s inception and evolves to 2007 for X Games 13.
This is a brief timeline on how the X Games arrived as the world’s premier action sports brand.
1993 ESPN management decides to devote significant resources to the creation of an international gathering of
action sport athletes. A team assembles to develop the concept.
1994 At a press conference at Planet Hollywood in New York City on April 12, ESPN announces that the first
Extreme Games will be held in Rhode Island in June of 1995.
1995 From June 24 through July 1, the Extreme Games are held in Newport, Providence and Middletown, R.I., and
Mount Snow, Vt. Athletes compete in 27 events in nine sport categories: Bungy Jumping, Eco-Challenge, Inline
Skating, Skateboarding, Skysurfing, Sport Climbing, Street Luge, Biking and Water Sports.
198,000 spectators attend the first Extreme Games. Seven sponsors -- Advil, Mountain Dew, Taco Bell, Chevy
Trucks, AT&T, Nike and Miller Lite Ice -- lend their support to the event.
After enthusiastic response from the athletes, organizers, spectators and sponsors, ESPN decides to hold the
event the following year, instead of every two years as originally announced. In October, it is announced that
Rhode Island will be the location for the 1996 event.
1996 In January, the event name Extreme Games officially changes to the X Games. The primary reasons for the
change are to allow easier translation to international audiences and better branding opportunities.
In late June, approximately 200,000 spectators turn out for X Games Two in Newport, R.I. Kiteskiing,
windsurfing and mountain biking are replaced by wakeboarding.
1997 In March, the X Trials, a qualifying event for the X Games, begin in Providence, R.I. Additional X Games
qualifying events, including the B3 and EXPN Invitational, are held each summer through 2002 in cities
including Orlando, Fla.; Louisville, Ky.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Lake Havasu,
Ariz.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Bristol, Conn.
From June 20 through June 28, a record crowd of 221,000 fans watches X Games Three in San Diego and
Oceanside, Calif. Snowboard Big Air amazes on-lookers with a 10-story jump comprised of hundreds of tons
of manmade snow.
1998 In June, the X Games tops its attendance mark for the fourth consecutive year as more than 233,000
spectators flock to Mariner’s Point in San Diego X Games Four.
1999 From June 27 through July 4, X Games Five in San Francisco attracts nearly 275,000 spectators. Those in
attendance were treated to Tony Hawk’s first-ever “skateboarding 900” and the X Games debut of Moto X.
ESPN announces that the X Games will now be held in August to allow for new marketing and programming
opportunities.
2000 June through July, some of the world’s top skateboarders and BMX athletes hit the road, traveling to skate
parks across the United States as part of the inaugural Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour, which is
televised documentary-style on ESPN2.
X Games Six takes place August 17-22 in San Francisco on Piers 30/32. A Moto X Step Up competition is
added. Announcements are made regarding the launch of several new ventures, including the Action Sports
and Music Awards, International X Games Qualifiers and more.
2001 Philadelphia hosts X Games Seven August 17-22. Downhill BMX makes its debut, which is held at the
Woodward Camp in central Pa. For the first time in X Games history, the events are held inside and outside
an arena -- the First Union Complex -- where 234,950 spectators are in attendance.
In August, ESPN and The Mills Corporation announce a licensing agreement to build state-of-the-art public
X Games Skateparks at several Mills retail centers across the country. The skateparks, designed by the
industry’s top course designers, will offer public facilities for skateboarding, bike stunt riding (BMX) and in-
line skating. The first park opens in November at the Discover Mills mall in Gwinnett County, Ga., just
outside Atlanta.
2002 On May 10, Touchstone Pictures and ESPN present the major motion picture ESPN’s Ultimate X to largeformat
theatres across the country. The film chronicles the breathtaking highlights and dramatic stories
behind X Games Seven and showcases the eye-popping skateboarding, BMX biking, Moto X, and street
luge competitions on the giant screen for the first time.
On May 28, ESPN announces a new event, X Games Global Championship, which will feature two distinct
venues hosting competitions in summer and winter action sports simultaneously. Six teams of the world’s
top athletes will be grouped together by their region of origin to compete in the four-day event, May 15-18,
2003. Results from both venues will be combined for an overall team score. X Games sports include
Skateboard, Bicycle Stunt, Moto X and Aggressive In-line Skate; Winter X sports include Snowboard and
Ski. Venues include the Alamo dome in San Antonio, Texas for summer events and Whistler Blackcomb
Resort in British Columbia for winter events.
In July, ESPN’s European X Games Qualifier Two watches athletes from 20 European nations compete in
front of 35,500 spectators who came to Barcelona’s Olympic Pier to witness three whole days of adrenalin
action. In the end, 10 athletes from Spain, UK, Germany, France and Sweden qualify to Philadelphia USA
for X Games VIII.
X Games Eight returns to the First Union Complex in Philadelphia August 15-19. Another park course is
added to accommodate the unique riding style of skateboarding. Women’s Skateboard and Moto X
exhibitions are featured. The average per day crowd at the First Union Complex is 40,210, a new record for
the X Games. The overall crowd count totals 221,352, including the X Games’ two-millionth fan. X Games
Eight was the most-watched X Games ever as nearly 63 million people tune in on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC
Sports.
X Games Skateparks open in Franklin Mills in Philadelphia, Pa. (Aug. 26); Colorado Mills in Denver, Colo.
(November 14) and Grapevine Mills in Dallas, Texas (December 3).
On November 21, ESPN selects Los Angeles to host X Games Nine and 10. The event’s primary venue will
be inside and around STAPLES Center (Aug. 14-17), with ancillary venues at the Los Angeles Coliseum,
Woodward West, Huntington Beach and others.
2003 ESPN successfully executes the inaugural X Games Global Championship, held May 15-18. The first-of-itskind
team event features six world regions competing against each other in summer and winter action sports
at two simultaneous venues: San Antonio, Texas and Whistler Blackcomb, B.C. Combining both venues,
Team USA registers a cumulative total of 196 points, edging out Team Europe, which finishes second with
167 points. In total, 69,260 spectators came to cheer on their favorite teams at X Games Global
Championship One.
July 1 kicks off a 41-day X Games tribute at Disney’s California Adventure™ in Anaheim, Calif., titled X
Games Xperience. Guests of the newest theme park inside the Disneyland Resort are immersed in a fastpaced
array of activities inspired by ESPN’s X Games, including interactive activities like Moto X Big Air and
Vert ramp demonstrations featuring X Games athletes.
X Games Nine makes its debut in Los Angeles August 14-17 in its primary venue at STAPLES Center.
Additional venues are in and around Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Coliseum. Total attendance for
the event is 187,141, including a one-day X Games attendance record on Saturday (8/16) with 67,500. X
Games Surfing also successfully debuts to a crowd of 25,500 in Huntington Beach and women’s Skateboard
Park and Vert are made official X Games competitions. The telecast airs on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC and
features a live Bike Stunt Vert competition on ABC. It also captures the sought-after 12-17 year-old
demographic, which achieves record results. People aged 12-17 increases 10 percent from last year’s
telecast.
2004 The 10th anniversary of X Games is held August 5-8 in Los Angeles for its second consecutive year.
Featuring a new finals-only format that is telecast completely live, 150 athletes compete in Aggressive In-line
Skate, Bike Stunt, Moto X, Skateboard, Surf and Wakeboard. Venues include STAPLES Center, Home
Depot Center, Huntington Beach Pier and Long Beach Marine Stadium. The event garners the highest
viewership in the event’s 10-year history and a 47 percent increase from X Games Nine. Attendance over
the four day period totals 170,471, including a new one-day attendance record set on Saturday, August 7
with 79,380. On Friday, August 6, X Games 10-year attendance hits the two million mark.
2005 On April 27, an announcement is made that X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
X Games 11 is held in Los Angeles August 4-7 at The Home Depot Center, STAPLES Center, Long Beach
Marine Stadium and Surfing’s new home of Puerto Escondido, Mexico. The event airs live on ESPN, ABC
and ESPN Deportes domestically in more than 75 countries and territories via ESPN International.
2006 X Games 12 is held in Los Angeles August 3-6 adds the sport of Rally Car Racing and the new discipline of
BMX Big Air to its sport lineup. More than 138,000 fans attended the competition at The Home Depot Center
and STAPLES Center, an increase of nearly 13 percent over X Games 11 in 2005. X Games 12 was also
ESPN's highest-rated X Games ever among young men in the 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 age groups. For the
first time, X Games was aired 24 hours each day of the event using ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Classic,
EXPN.com, ESPN360, Mobile ESPN, ESPN International, iTunes and provided unprecedented round-theclock
coverage including a first-ever Pay-Per-View offering for BMX Big Air and an X Games Moto Madness
demonstration.
ATHLETES TO WATCH
BMX Freestyle
Park
Daniel Dhers (Caracas, Venezuela)Originally from South America, Dhers first came to the States to visit Woodward East in 2003 to improve
his riding skills. His time at Woodward over the next three years proved to be well spent earning him BMX
Park bronze at his first X Games appearance in 2006. In addition, he took away the gold in BMX Park at
his debut at X Games Asia in May 2007. An intense and consistent rider, 21-year-old Dhers is the only
rider to frontflip a spine during competition. He is known for his crazy whips skills and huge flair variations.
Vert
Jamie Bestwick (Cornwall, England)Arguably the best BMX vert rider of all time, Bestwick upheld this claim when he finished seven out of
seven wins in 2005; including double gold medals at X in Vert and Vert Best Trick. Making nine X Games
appearances, Bestwick took away the Vert gold medal in 2005 and silver medal in 2006. Bestwick always
finds ways to conquer the most difficult of tricks with his smooth style and sixth sense of how to maximize
the effectiveness of the vert pump. He commits to using the entire vert ramp and was the first to land a
double tailwhip flair in competition at X Games 11. Bestwick is favored to capture gold at X Games 13.
Big Air
Kevin Robinson (State College, Pa.)
Proud father of two, Kevin Robinson is always up to something with his collection of invented tricks such
as the corkscrew, the can-can flair, no-handed flair and the Indian tailwhip. Robinson is known to pack flair
and 540 variations in his runs, most notable being his double flair which he landed for the first time in
competition at X Games 12 to earn him the Vert Best Trick gold medal. In BMX Big Air, Robinson landed a
no-handed flip over the 50-foot gap and a no-handed flair on the quarter earning him another gold medal
in 2006.Robinson also has three bronze X Games Vert medals and was featured on the cover of the
spring 2006 issue of Sophisticated Rider magazine. At 200 pounds, Robinson is the largest vert rider on
the vert ramp. He has been sponsored by Hoffman Bikes for almost 14 years and says he will forever
support Mat Hoffman.
Moto X
Best Trick and Freestyle
Nate Adams (Glendale, Ariz.)Known for his strong work ethic and dedicated preparation before competitions, Nate Adams took home X
Games gold in Moto X Freestyle in 2004 and was the overall 2006 Dew Tour Motocross champion. Adams
is a strong rider with a versatile bag of tricks who is more likely to master every trick out there than invent
one of his own. He has competed in Moto X Best Trick in both X Games and Winter X Games for the past
four years. Adams began riding dirtbikes at age seven and was performing complex tricks by the age of
11. He turned pro in 2000 and competed in his first X Games just one year later. Adams recently
purchased the Metal Mulisha compound from fellow freestyle rider Brian Deegan, a compound that
includes a freestyle course and foam pit.
Step Up
Jeremy McGrath (Encinitas, Calif.)Arguably the most recognizable face for the sport of Supercross, Jeremy McGrath won seven straight
AMA championship titles from 1993-2000. McGrath’s strong background in the discipline gave him the
necessary skills to succeed at Moto X Step Up. McGrath was edged out for the Moto X Step Up gold by
Matt Buyten at X Games 12, but he is back in full gear for 2007 and looking to capture the win at X Games
13. In addition to his X Games 12 silver medal, McGrath has a Moto X Step Up gold from 2004 and both
silver and bronze medals in Moto X SuperMoto, proving he is capable of dominating more than one
discipline of motocross.
Moto X SuperMoto
Jeff Ward (Newport Beach, Calif.)Jeff Ward became the oldest X Games gold medalist at 45 after edging out Doug Henry in Moto X
SuperMoto for the win at X Games 12 in 2006. Ward’s pro career spans four decades and includes an
array of racing disciplines such as Supercross, SuperMoto, and Indy car racing. In addition to his X
Games gold, Ward earned his second AMA SuperMoto championship in 2006 as well, marking the year
as one of the best of his sated career. Ward’s motocross and indy car racing background makes him a
total threat to all SuperMoto competitors. At this year’s X Games 13, Ward is out to prove once again that
age doesn’t matter in the sport of motocross.
MotoX Racing
James Stewart (Haines City, Fla.)
2007 AMA Supercross Champion James Stewart was coined the “next guy” who would take down
Supercross great Ricky Carmichael who beat Stewart in both 2005 and 2006 AMA Supercross series.
Stewart dished out an impressive year of riding, winning 13 of 16 AMA Supercross events en route to the
2007 championship. Often the fastest rider on the track, Stewart is one of the most fun riders to watch
because he invents his own type of riding style, has top speed in corners, and his ability to put together
jump combinations in rhythm sections is unlike anything else. Stewart’s achievements and image have
transcended the sport more than any other motocross athlete, and he has been the focus of numerous
newspaper and magazine articles from The New York Times, The Washing Post, GQ, Sports Illustrated,People, and Rolling Stone Magazine.
Skateboard
Vert Women’s
Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins (Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.)A recent high school graduate, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins entered her first pro contest at the age of 12 and
has since competed in three X Games, medaling four times. She took away X Games Gold in Women’s
Vert in 2004 and even managed to earn a silver medal at X Games 13 while skating with a cast on her
broken arm. Hawkins also has one silver medal in Skate Park which she earned in 2003. She was unable
to compete at X Games 12 due to a knee injury.
Street Men’s
Ryan Sheckler (San Clemente, Calif.)
Ryan Sheckler made X Games history in 2003 when he became the youngest athlete to win gold
(Skateboard Park) at just 13. Listed on SI.com as one of sports’ crowd pleasers, Sheckler rarely falls and
is focused on expanding his arsenal of tricks with more 360s and nollie tricks. At just 18 months, Sheckler
found his dad’s old pool deck and began learning how to push with one knee on the board and then stand
up. Sheckler has expanded his skating to the media world and has appeared in Goghurt commercials, a
Scooby Doo cartoon, Digital (Everyday), Almost (Round 3) and an Oakley video. Since earning his silver
medal in street at X Games 12, Sheckler added 25 lbs of muscle to his small frame by working out with
his father. He will use this new man-sized body to push the envelope of skating even further at X Games
13.
Vert Men’s
Shaun White (Carlsbad, Calif.)
One of the most recognizable action sports athletes today, Shaun White will make his 12th X Gamesappearance in 2007. The 20-year-old is no stranger to Winter X Gold as he has six to his name for
snowboarding and landed double gold in Slopestyle and SuperPipe before heading to Torino, Italy for the
2006 Winter Olympics. Transitioning over to skateboarding, White tried for three years to medal at X
Games and grabbed the Men’s Vert silver medal in 2005. White also picked up ESPY awards for Best
Male Action Sports Athlete and Best Olympian in 2006. The Carlsbad native has been a notable
competitor in the action sports community since the age of 16 when he went pro in 2003. At both X
Games 11 and X Games 12 White attempted to land a 1080, a trick no other skater has attempted during
competition.
Big Air
Danny Way (San Diego, Calif.)The innovator of Big Air, Danny Way won X Games Gold in 2005 with a broken ankle and skated his way
to victory in Big Air at X Games 12 as well. Going higher and further than any other skater, his stunts are
world renowned. Following X Games 11, Way proceeded to successfully jump the Great Wall of China,
set a Guinness World freefall drop record at 28-feet from the Hard Rock Café guitar in Las Vegas, to
performing the first ever backflip over the 60-feet gap at the Mexico City Xtreme Speed competition.
Having won gold in Big Air three years running, Way will now attempt a possible Big Air four-peat at X
Games 13.
Rally Car Racing
Andrew Pinker (Perth, Australia)A rookie at X Games 13, Andrew Pinker is currently leading the 2007 Rally America series above X
Games medalists Ken Block and Travis Pastrana. The first five races of the Rally America series served
as qualifying events to the X Games, and with his two national wins this season, Pinker secured himself X
Games slot alongside his co-driver Robbie Durant. The Australian native got his start competing in local
Daihatsu challenges, winning the title in 1994. Pinker is looking to win his first Gold at X Games 13.
McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist captured a podium spot at the inaugural Rally Car Racing competition at
X Games 12 placing second behind Travis Pastrana and Bjorn Edstrom. McRae is regarded as one of the
most successful World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers of all time. The Scottish native won the world
driver’s title in 1995—becoming the youngest World Rally Champion ever. In 2002, he set the record for
most overall wins in the WRC. McRae began his rally career in 1986 and wasn’t the first of the McRae
family to race. His father and his brother are both multiple-time British Rally Champions. This time around
McRae is back with a new co-driver Carolyn Bosley in hopes to win gold at Rally Car Racing’s second X
Games appearance.
. Travis Pastrana (Annapolis, Md.)
With gold medals in five of the seven years Freestyle Moto X has been held at X Games, Pastrana is
easily one of the most successful riders in the history of the event. Although a newcomer to Rally,
Pastrana scored his first overall win at the 2006 Rim of the World rally in April and won the first ever gold
medal in the Rally Car Racing competition at X Games 12 alongside co-driver Bjorn Edstrom. Pastrana
and Edstrom (New York, New York), share a lot of mutual respect for one another. Edstrom, the veteran,
has been competing in the sport since 1998. Pastrana trusts Edstrom’s judgment and expertise in the
sport while Edstrom has always admired Pastrana for his talent and professionalism in both Moto X and
Rally.
Surfing
The Surfing competition was held on July 4 in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. You can watch it on ABC on
Sunday, Aug 6 at 4 p.m. ET.
Melanie Bartels (Waianae, Hawaii)
Winner of the 2006 Sunset WCT Event, Melanie Bartels is currently ranked seventh on the ASP Women’s
World Tour. Bartels picked up her first surfboard at the age of five and has been reinventing her surfing
style ever since. Best known for her progressive surfing technique, Bartels finished in third place overall in
the WQS for 2006. Her unique talents contribute to the already skillfully diverse USA Women’s Team at X
Games 13.
Chris Ward (San Clemente, Calif.)
With his WCT career on the line in 2006, Chris Ward finished the year on a high note by making the semifinals
of the Pipe Masters and securing a 2007 WCT slot as he continued to blow minds around the world.
He beat Mick Fanning in one of the greatest heats of all time in perfect barrels "somewhere in Mexico." In
2005, “Wardo” scored a perfect 10 in his first WCT event at Snapper Rocks, where he finished runner up
to Mick Fanning after taking out Kelly Slater, Taj Burrow, and Kalani Robb. After being a part of the
winning West Coast team at X Games 12, Wardo’s mission will be to bring a gold medal to the USA team in Puerto Escondido.
Musical Line-Up Announced for X Games 13 Diverse Musical Genres to Compliment World Premiere Action Sports Event LOS ANGELES – ESPN X Games announces the musical line-up performing at The Home Depot Center Aug. 2-5, 2007. For the first time, all sets will take place in the X Fest Music Tent, where fans will experience music in an intimate, lounge setting. Tickets for X Fest are available on Ticketmaster.com and at The Home Depot Center box office. Admission to X Fest is free to the public on Thursday, Aug. 2. On Thursday, the event kicks off with local band To Live and Die in LA and Mendocino County’s North Coast Underground. North Coast underground is an action sports party favorite, with their soulful reggae and hip hop infused vibes. Friday, August 3 is Girls’ Day at the X Games, where ladies have the opportunity to participate in skateboarding and BMX clinics and a “Learn to Play” seminar by Daisy Rock Guitars. Musical acts will feature Hell’s Belles, The Donnas and goodbye Gadget. Hell’s Belles is an all female tribute to AC/DC that lives by the moto “All AC/DC, ALL the time.” Hell’s Belles is a club favorite around the world and makes sure everyone knows that they are about power, not power ballads. The Donnas are adored feisty rockers whose career has seen them grown from “geeky” teenagers to proficient musicians “with much better hair.” These ladies love to get up close and sweaty with their devoted fans. The Donnas will be busting out new tracks from their upcoming album Bitchin’, out this September on their own independent label. Friday also features goodbye Gadget, an alt-rock punk band that has been labeled “the female version of Green Day.” On Saturday, August 4, the musical spectrum include indie rockers The Shys and blow-up-the-amps metal rockers Death by Stereo. The Shys have been described as a “brash update of '60s British Invasion and garage rock.” Death by Stereo, whose fans often chant the motto, “Death for Life” when they play, balance chaos and consciousness with an intense stage show. Their recently released the album Death Alive includes live versions of songs that span their 10-year career. On Sunday, August 5, last year’s crowd favorite Buck-O-Nine takes the stage. Buck-O-Nine is releasing Sustain on Aug. 7, their first studio album since 1999. The event concludes with a performance by Kenna, who’s Virginia Beach-via-Ethiopia singer lit up indie radio and MTV2 with the single “Hell Bent” in 2003. His latest album, Make Sure They See My Face, is set to release in late August. The X Fest Music Tent also features DJ sets by DJ Iree, Junebugg, Efrem Schulz and DJ Jasepi and performances by Mick Kelleher, Dewey PC and Steve Steadham. Fans can participate in the action with Karaoke X, where they can take the stage in a Green Day vs. Ramones karaoke battle backed by a live band. The winner will have the opportunity to win a new guitar. For the most updated music schedule, please go to www.expn.com. ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs. X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.
July 27
ESPN and Rockstar Energy Drink Present the First-Ever
X Games in Mexico City Inaugural Event to be Held Sept. 7-9 at the Palacio de los Deportes
Los Angeles, Calif. – The first-ever international X Games in Mexico
City will take place Sept. 7-9, 2007 at the Palacio de los Deportes,
announced today by Rick Alessandri, senior vice president, general manager,
ESPN Consumer Products and X Games Franchise Managing Director. Along
with presenting sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink, the competition will
include the world’s top athletes competing in the disciplines of BMX
Freestyle, Skateboard Street, Skateboard Vert and Moto X. X Games Mexico
will be co-organized by OCESA, the largest entertainment company in Latin
America.
“Our goal has always been to serve action sports fans wherever they may
be, and we believe the excitement of the X Games truly transcends
across all cultures,” said Alessandri. “As the X Games franchise has
continued to grow and become increasingly embraced internationally, we are
very excited and enthusiastic about bringing the inaugural X Games
Mexico event to the people of Mexico City.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Rockstar Energy Drink and OCESA to
bring X Games to Mexico City for its regional debut in 2007,” said Gerardo
Casanova, general manager, ESPN Mexico. “We look forward to hosting
world-class athletes and watching them perform on first-rate courses.
ESPN is excited for this opportunity to further enhance our relationship
with sports enthusiasts throughout Mexico.”
“Rockstar is incredibly excited to partner with ESPN to bring the most
powerful event in action sports to Mexico,” says Jason May, executive
vice president marketing, Rockstar Energy Drink. “The X Games lifestyle
runs parallel with Rockstar’s philosophy and we are committed to
bringing the most complete, the most unique, the most powerful and the most
honest energy beverage ever created to the consumers.”
Other event sponsors include Ford Motor Vehicles, Oakley and Vans.
For more information on X Games Mexico and a complete list of invited
athletes, please visit www.xgamesmexico.com.
ESPN will produce 5 hours of original programming which will air on
ESPN Dos in Mexico and on ESPN International across the pan-regional Latin
America network. A 1-hour highlight show will be produced for
broadcast on all other ESPN Networks across the globe.
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X
Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games,
Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports
programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two
U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration
events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico,
Korea, Malaysia and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach
to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to
consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and
DVDs.
ABOUT ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK
Developed to increase the recovery time of those who lead active and
exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in six amazing
flavors. You can find Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava
and Pomegranate at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the
United States www.rockstar69.com.
July 20
Subaru Exclusive Automotive and Gold Sponsor of ESPN X Games 13
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX to be grand prize awarded by ESPN to the 'Subaru Most Outstanding Athlete of the Games'
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana set to defend X Games gold medal in rally competition
Subaru and ESPN today announced that Subaru is the exclusive automotive and gold level sponsor of X Games 13 to be held in Los Angeles, Calif. August 2-5.
Among the standard terms of the sponsorship agreement, Subaru of America, Inc. will provide ESPN with a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX to be the grand prize awarded by ESPN to the "Subaru Most Outstanding Athlete of the Games." ESPN will solely be responsible for selecting the recipient and administering the giveaway.
"We are very pleased to be an integral sponsor of X Games 13," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "Last year, we had such tremendous success in the rally competition that we dubbed the event the 'WRX Games' in a celebratory print ad.' It is a perfect fit for our performance enthusiast customers that are always ready for action."
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana will be back in action to defend his X Games gold medal in the rally competition. Last year Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom earned the gold medal in the inaugural X Games Rally event.
Pastrana edged out a win over rally legend and former Subaru World Rally Champion Colin McRae. Pastrana's Subaru teammates Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino took the bronze medal. All three podium finishers drove Open Class Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc. and prepared by Vermont SportsCar. Eight of the ten top finishers competed in Subaru-based rally cars.
The addition of Subaru to our roster of sponsors for X Games 13 comes at a great time after the success of last year's debut of Rally Car Racing, said Rick Alessandri, Managing Director, X Games Franchise. "Partnering with Subaru is a terrific fit for the X Games audience, and we look forward to growing the relationship for future action sports events."
For 2007, The Home Depot Center will host an increased number of X Games competitions, while other events will return to STAPLES Center. For a schedule of X Games 13 rally events and for a complete event schedule visit www.expn.com.
The X Games is the definitive annual action sports competition featuring more than 150 of the world's best athletes competing in: BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Rally Car Racing. X Games Los Angeles-based venues include STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
About ESPN, Inc.
ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets with over 50 business entities. Sports media assets include ESPN on ABC, six domestic cable television networks (ESPN, launched in 1979; ESPN2; ESPN Classic; ESPNEWS; ESPN Deportes; ESPNU), ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD (high-definition simulcast services of ESPN and ESPN2, respectively), ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (31 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360 (Broadband), Mobile ESPN (wireless), ESPN On Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV.
Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.
Web site: http://www.subaru.com/
(C) MBN 2007 Joyce Chow
