LA Times Looks Forward to Super X at the X Games

Check out this LA Times article, where reporter Baxter Holmes gives the scoop on what's so special about X Games 16. This year's games will feature two new events, and also set the stage for Supercross' LA comeback. How appropriate, since Josh Hansen just wrapped up what many have called his comeback season, and is ready to defend the gold!

At X Games 16 there's something new-- and something old, revisited.

by Baxter Holmes

Boil the history of action sports down to its essence, and a single phrase emerges: Can you top this?

That concept has driven the sport's growth for decades, and the X Games does the same, adding new events or twists to old ones seemingly every year.


For example, the X Games added the big air skateboarding event in 2004 after Danny Way, the event's pioneer, pushed for it. Another change came in 2009 when X Games officials heeded the request of skaters and created a concrete skate park for a different skateboarding competition, switching from the wooden park used the year before.

This year, at X Games 16, which begins Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, there are two new events, plus an old event that returns to its iconic birthplace. Here's a look at what's new:

Real Street

In a nod to the growing skateboard filming industry, the X Games allowed 12 top street skaters to each submit a one-minute, trick-loaded video for a shot at a gold medal and a $50,000 first prize.

"There's a huge segment of skaters and all they want to do is film," said Tim Reed, ESPN senior director of sports and competition. "It's great to give them a board platform to show what they can do."

The videos are available online and will be telecast Sunday. A panel of professional skaters will decide the winner. Fans can vote online for their own favorite; the winner there gets $2,500.

Johnny Layton, a street skater from Long Beach, agreed to enter the competition because making videos is a daily routine for him, as it is with many other skaters. "It's crazy — every day you can go online and there's another person with another video," he said. (read more...)