UPDATE: Click on the link below to watch the continued SEMI-FINALS:
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The fun and excitement continues as the qualifiers for the men’s Vertical Ramp and Street Course Semi-Finals begins today at 5:45 PM EDT.
There will be pro skaters mixed in with up and coming skaters from all over the world.
Two Japanese skaters qualified for the Men’s Vertical Ramp. Shion Suganami and Kosumo Fujiki will go up against the skater from Hawaii, Kalani Ferolino. Ferolino got a lot of big air during his trial runs while Suganami and Fujiki showed incredible form as they spun around and up and over the top of the Vert Ramp lip.
One skater to watch is the youngster from Australia, Hudson Walker. Walker has been making a lot of noise recently as he seems to be getting into his groove as his confidence on the Vert Ramp continues to improve. Today, Hudson’s form was great, his extensions, height, and grabs were perfect.
Hudson qualified in second place behind Luke Kahler, one of the favored skaters in the tournament. Kahler is from Huntington Beach, California and according to thebaordr.com is ranked 80th in the world.
The wind picked up overnight and at 3:00 am, the team that manages the High Line Competition decided to take down the lines between the two hotels. One technician said that the winds had started to reach at least 40 MPH and the safety precaution that was in place demanded they crew stow the lines.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is clear and the wind has steadily died down throughout the day. The High Line Competition is expected to go on tomorrow. The schedule will be impacted as they have to complete the competition in one day instead of two. The High Line competition is expected to be completed within three hours tomorrow.
So far, the Base Jumpers who are parachuting off the top of a local hotel have not been able to fly yet. One jumper said that the conditions aren’t right and they don’t want to take any chances. Looking up at the waving and bent flag that flys over the Base Jumping launch platform, one has to agree that it is better to be err on the safe side.
In the ocean, the Jetskies gave the Festival goers quite a show. Without using any ramps to luanch themselves, the Jetski operators somehow did three consecutive flips by using the force of the water as they ramp.
Totally RAD!
The Semi-Finals for the Vertical Ramp and the Street Course begins today at 5:45 PM EDT. You can watch the live stream here by clicking on the link below.
Tomorrow, 3rdstreet.tv will live stream the finals for the Men’s and Women’s in the Vertical Ramp and the Street Course.
Enjoy the show.
Image shot and edited by Don Hughes while onsite in Virginia Beach. Live video courtesy of Jackalope and Tribu.
