Monster Mastership
Monster Mastership –Westfalenhallen Dortmund
 |
 |
 |
After recovering for the last few days I finally feel ready to report about the 23rd Monster Mastership, feeling totally awake again!
Last time I had been to the mastership has already been six or seven years ago (am I getting old?). Back then it was still in Münster and the last things I remember seeing were a huge bonfire made out of bikes and trashcans- all combined with some riots with the police- but of course also awesome skateboarding back than!
So, when I heard that Sabine would not have time to cover the contest this year I was really looking forward to seeing what had changed!
Already at the practice sessions on Friday I knew that I would attend some of the best skateboarding I have ever been seeing. Sometimes I thought somebody was sitting in the audience and playing the Tony Hawk playstation game but with the difference that the competitors were alive! Every trick was so smooth and crazy, my eyes were dizzy from watching by the end of the day.Even though there are not that many big American names in the contest any more, the standard was incredible high, but it just seems like the other countries are catching up or better they have already.
For the FIRST time ever or better FINALLY the Gallaz Girl Jam took place. But guess at what time? Practice started Sunday, 8 am, Jam at 10. Not the best time after a night of party. Fortunately there were still quite a lot of people who got up like me and supported the girls skating.- As I saw on their faces they could not believe how well some of the girls rode!!! I guess better than most of them. I am sooo proud to be a girl:
The American Vanessa Torres (17) skated really well and walked away cashing the biggest check (50/50 into FS boardslide, smithgrinds,…you name it).
Lauren Perkins (15) and Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins earned second and third, respectively:
Lauren did big transfer kickflips and showed great skills, especially because of her outstanding powerful, fast style. And Lyn-Z is only 14 years of age but it seems like nobody can stop her! She ripped the vert like a madman-pardon woman- doing high BS airs, BS nosegrinds, kickflip indy grabs, not scared of anything! I have to admit when I was only standing on top of the ramp I felt sick in my stomach. But enough raving about the girls.
Another premier was performed by Sandro Dias doing a 900° (first time ever on German ground). So his 900° was after his run he did not proceed first place. Nevertheless Andy Macdonald, Mike Crum and Neal Hendrix showed impressive skateboarding with several 540’s and banging flip tricks and deserved the Price money.
Anyway, let’s not forget the legends Contest were Tony Magnusson (San Diego) obtained the trophy for the 4th time in a row.
After already incredible qualifications it was about time for the final. This year the judges had to have the hardest job of all: so many high standard skateboarders, never failing to land their tricks. In the end it was only by a few points that Bastien Salabanzi (France), doing a Cab kickflip over the pyra, BS flip the London gap, nollie FS lipslide,- already world champion 2001 and 2002- was ahead of Daniel Vieira (Brazil)( 360 flip, switch FS 360 flip) and Rodil Junior, third. Go Brazil!
Congratulations also to Jo Lorenz earning fifth place, doing nollie flip crooked grinds on the pyra ledge.
Being also a music magazine it’s about time to talk about the afterparties!!!
Already on Friday night there was the Viva Mixery Raw Deluxe Operning Party with Samy Deluxe, Teamsport, Mad Maxamon performing.
Not knowing whether it was the beer in the backstage area or the nice skater crowd I really had quite a lot of fun. Same thing next night at the Monster Rocknight when Misfits, Exploited, Smoke Blow, Superstarfuckers gave their best to keep the crowd going. Seeing drunken skaters partying in the backstage area when you know they have to be able to skate world class just in another few hours is just funnier than seeing some kids lying in beer and thinking to be punk is a new style on MTV by Vivien Westwood. It’s all about being real hardcore, …huh!!! After all it was an awesome weekend of great skateboarding and too much beer …and so we finally bolted home.
A special thanks goes to Boardstein were I slept next to about 50 skaters ( the dream of many groupies, but believe me there are nicer things in life) And of course the people from the mastership, you saved my life by greeting me every morning with coffee and croissant. Merci pour tout! See you next year! Oh, I hear my skateboard is calling me, have to go!
Results:
Street:1.Bastien Salabanzi
2.Daniel Vieira
3.Rodil Junior
4.Paul Machnau
5.Jo Lorenz
Vert: 1.Andy Macdonald
2.Mike Crum
3.Neal Hendrix
4.Terence Bougdour
5.Renton Millar
legends:1.Tony Magnusson
2.Sérgio de Fortuna
3.Nicky Guerrero
4.Kevin Staab
5.Bram Waterman
ladies street jam:
1.Vanessa Torres
2.Lauren Perkins
3.Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins
4.Ianire Elorriaga
5.Monica Shwa
the “loop”:
1.Chris Senn
Amy Bellcourt is one of the best actresses