UK vs US riding

[NL_Johan_UK]

Just to do easy comparing I did a trick-by-trick review of last weekend's 2nd UK Tour stop. The results are posted here: http://www.eurowake.com/index.php?p=86&more=1&page=5, browse the pages before that if you are interested in the rest.

This might look like spamming but I am interested in hearing your opinion on the skills difference. Let me take UK's stop winner Dan Nott's run plus Ben Hitch's (2nd)(from eurowake.com) and compare it with VTC winner, Parks' run (from wakeworld.com):

Ben Hitch: Nose Grabbed Crow Mobe - HS 540 - Pete Rose - Nuclear 911 - Indy Glide.
Second Pass: 911 Krypt - Switch Stalefish Boned out Off Axis 360 - HS BS Off Axis 360 - Batwing to Blind.
Double-up: HS 720 (fall).

Dan Nott: HS Indy Glide - Elephant - Whirlybird - TS Off Axis 540 - ? KGB ? (fall).
Second Pass: TS Off Axis 540 - HS 540 - Boardslides beetle gapping roof section - TS 720 - KGB - ? dunno ? .
Double-up: Indy Glide.

Parks Bonifay (1st Place)

Flat bar - backside lipslide, truck flat bar - backside lipslide nose press, bat wing, heelside backside 360, toeside backside 360, A-frame - backside lipslide, whirlybird, Pete Rose, S-bend, A-frame - backside lipslide transfer, flat bar - 270 on, 270 off

Double Up - double half cab roll

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The fact that there were more obstacles in the Vans Triple Crown stop makes it somewhat harder to judge but it looks to me like the UK / European top has it pretty much dialled!

Wot U think?!
Cheers, Johan

[derrick]

Yeah, there's no question in my mind the the Americans definetly slack on stuff.
peace
Derrick

[Phil H]

I missed the Pro mens - couldn't make it up to JB on Sunday. Looks like it was pretty competitive though. I was disappointed about the euro tour not happening this year though - would've been nice to see some of those guys over.

I did see some of the masters on Saturday though. Since I'm over 30 and I can also crash on a half-cab backroll, I might enter next year

Yup - Europe is definitely getting there. And Will Christien is hotter than Leslie Kent (and a pretty good coach as well).

[NL_Johan_UK]

Agree on the ladies comments there Phil! On the Euro Tour, in the first weekend of August they are still coming to London though be it at Quayside. That's gonna be a helluvan event with the UK lads plus guys like the South Africans Lammers and Humpsch and Krause, and also veterans of the tour like Rodo and more! Also look out for this young kid from Spain, Jamie Oliver. You better go there!

[Phil H]

Hopefully not *that* Jamie Oliver.

Sounds like an event not to be missed. Is Craig O'Meara gonna be there?

I saw a bit of UK stop 1 at the Quays (also been there for half an hour with Will). It's about the same distance from me as JB. Might try to get the other half to drive so I can have a beer.

[NL_Johan_UK]

Haha no not the Jamie who sticks fried egg to a saucepan but the Jamie who sticks 720's etc. I'd expect Craig to compete as well as the rest of the UK crew. Phone in sick now already to make sure you can stay all weekend. They usually throw big parties on the saturday night too.

[madCat]

NL_Johan_UK, I still think Parks has got the better run. Plus, given the more obstacles, it makes everything much more rushed and crowded. I just think Parks run is more technical. Plus, without seeing the runs how can you judge the intensity and execution. As far as compisition goes, Parks has a very nice HS BS 360/TS BS 360 combination. Too very technical tricks. His S-Bend's are usually huge which will add to the intensity. The biggest difference between the 3 runs, Parks stood up his pass, the others did not.

One final note. This is a really bad example of american riding, this VTC stop was the first time all of the riders rode behind the brand new Mastercraft X-Star and almost everyone, besides Parks struggled.

Just my 2 cents.

[koltman]

I'm English, so of course I'm partial. But I like the contest where its more like free riding, no rush, no mobe after mobe.
There can be some really technical riding from the Americans. Like Sean O'brien, doing a grabed crow 5 and a big-worm in one run. And Tino's hs 7 to ts 9 combo.

[NL_Johan_UK]

madCat I agree with everything what you're saying, I wasn't claiming one was better than the other, just giving food for thought with this comparison. And seeing the runs is indeed important to judge objectively, I have never seen Parks ride before unfortunately. What I wanted to illustrate was that they are not far off the US skills which is cool coz a lot of people don't seem to realize the potential of European riders. And then I haven't even mentioned the South African riders! Looks like wakeboarding is going big around the globe and that's what we want!

Kristian you have a good point there too. 30 second runs are not the most enjoyable to watch indeed it just goes too fast and with some riders too big and too furious. Ben Hitch made everybody loose the plot. Do they actually do contest in a different format than this official course, 2 passes + Double-up? I know the Live 2 Ride did 4 passes + crowd pleaser jump. Two passes with sliders, two without. But still the size of the standard course though so still need to rush...

[koltman]

Well the old bluetorch contests were great, it was three really long passes, with sliders and a Double up. But the way they judged it let the riders take there time, and do more stylish stuff. When was the last time you saw Shapiro do a tweaked indy grab in his contest run.
But they don't run that contest anymore.

[madCat]

NL_Johan_UK, no worries, I agree with you also. There are a lot of good riders from all over the world and it's cool to see. It will just keep pushing the progression of the sport.