Duo Advances to Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals in Salt Lake City
 

Out of a field of 20 BMX riders, Chris Courtenay won the BMX park competition Sunday at the Gatorade Free Flow Tour’s stop in Longwood, Fla. Aaron Collier took the skate park contest title on Saturday, beating out a total of 61 skaters to advance to the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals.
 
Eighteen-year-old Courtenay from Brisbane, Australia earned the BMX park victory at Mesh Skatepark after executing a double barspin and a tailwhip foot jam during his winning run. Sean Ricany was second and Matt Whyatt finished in third place.
 
“This is so awesome!” Courtenay said. ”I’m so happy I won. Salt Lake City and the Finals are going to be fun!”

 
In Saturday’s action, Collier, an 18 year old from Sanford, Fla., beat out 60 other skaters to earn the skate park victory, using a kickflip back lip to fakie and a nollie frontside heelflip during the final jam session to punch his ticket to the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals. Paul Torrento was second and Alex Pellegrino rounded out the top three.

 
“Thank you so much for throwing this contest!” Collier said. “I can’t wait for Salt Lake; it’s going to be amazing!”
 
“I was really impressed with the amount of kids who came from out of town to enter the contest,” Mesh owner Chad DeGroot said. “It’s great to see the younger generation of riders and skaters ripping and developing their own style.”
 
With the win, Courtenay and Collier each earns an automatic bid into the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals that will take place at the Dew Tour’s Toyota Challenge, September 17-20, 2009.
 
Gatorade Free Flow Tour – Mesh Skatepark Results
Saturday-Sunday, August 22-23, 2009
Longwood, Fla.
 
BMX Park
1.  Chris Courtenay, Australia.  2. Sean Ricany, Toms River, N.J.  3. Matt Whyatt, Greenville, N.C.  4. Nick Smarjesse, Ormond Beach, Fla.  5. Broc Raiford, Destrehow, La.
 
Skate Park
1. Aaron Collier, Sanford, Fla.  2. Paul Torrento, Longwood, Fla.  3. Alex Pellegrino, Tampa, Fla.  4. Jereme Knibbs, Tampa, Fla.  5. Josiah Portillo, Debary, Fla.