Kevin Reimer (Rayne, Aera, Orangotang) took the first step toward becoming the first back to back IGSA Downhill Skateboarding World Champion since Martin Siegrist with a dominating performance in the first run of Downhill Skateboard qualifying.
Kevin Reimer leads Louis Pilloni during the morning warm up. Photo Bob OzmanPetaluma, California’s Kelly posted a time of 2:50.906. Jackson Shapiera (Rayne, Kahalani, Orangotang) from Sydney, Australia was third with a time of 2:51.076. Coming in fourth was Patrick Switzer (Fullbag, Aera, Orangotang) from Ontario, Canada with a time of 2:51.681. Rounding out the top five was Douglas Silva (Rayne, Aera, Orangotang) from Porto Allegre, Brazil with a time of 2:51.381. It was significant that all five riders in the top five were running Orangotang wheels.
2007 IGSA World Cup Series Champion Eric Lundberg (Sector 9, Kahalani, Sector 9) from Stockholm, Sweden had a strong showing with a time of 2:51.853. 2009 IGSA World Cup Series Champion Mischo Erban (GMR, Ronan, Seismic) made steady progress with his all new Deck, Truck, and Wheel set up to post the seventh fastest time with a 2:52.202. Adam Persson from Sweden surprised many when he turned in a time of 2:53.112 to take the eigth qualifying position. Former slalom world champion Ramon Konigshausen (Airflow, GOG, Abec 11) posted a time of 2:53.185 to finish in ninth. Rounding out the top ten was Danky Dean from Brazil with a 2:53.268.
Tomorrow afternoon the downhill skateboarders will take their second qualifying run to determine final qualifying positions. 170 downhill skateboarders are entered in the class. Only the fastest 128 from qualifying will make it through to Saturday’s race so tomorrow’s final run will be very important.
Downhill Skateboarding
First Run Qualifying Leaders
1. Kevin Reimer (CAN) 2:48.894
2. James Kelly (USA) 2:50.906
3. Jackson Shapiera (AUS) 2:51.076
4. Patrick Switzer (CAN) 2:51.681
5. Douglas Silva (BRA) 2:51.381
6. Erik Lundberg (SWE) 2:51.853
7. Mischo Erban (CAN) 2:52.202
8. Adam Persson (SWE) 2:53.112
9. Ramon Konigshausen (SUI) 2:53.185
10. Danky Dean (BRA) 2:53.268
Davies Faces Siff Competition from Engstrand
Women’s Downhill Skateboarding
1st Run Qualifying Leaders
Serek Tops in Classic Luge
By Kolby Parks
Austrian rider Michael Serek was fastest today in the first run of Classic Luge qualifying. The multi time World Series champion clocked in a time of 2:47:150.
The weather looked gloomy for the first runs of the 40 rider field and some of the early riders encountered heavy rain conditions for their runs.
Swiss rider Yvon Labarthe currently is second with a time of 2:47:881, Maxime Rubi from France is third quickest with a 2:48:628, Frenchman Craig Deltour was fourth with a 2:50:662, and rounding out the top five was Italian rider Luca Santolamaza with a time of 2:51:736.
The scheduled first run of Street Luge Qualifying was delayed until tomorrow due to time constraints.
In the final free ride of the day British rookie George Cheeseman crashed on his street luge at the tricky turn six. He was taken to hospital for precautionary x-rays on his leg. The x-rays came back negative and George only suffered a sprained ankle. Goerge stated “I have come too far to stop now and I will be riding tomorrow.