Pedro Barros - ESPN photo.

Ben Hatchell in action.

Rune Glifberg. ESPN photo.

Brazilian bowl-master Pedro Barros left it all in the park during Saturday’s X Games Skateboard Park competition to claim his third gold in eight appearances. Barros found speed in the most unique places and launched such huge airs and rotations it was nearly impossible to overcome his runs.

“I was just trying to skate my best and have a good time out there and it just happened. I saw Ben got a higher score and he was killing it so was Rune so I knew I had to do a better run,” said Barros, “when you’re out there skating your adrenaline is so high you don’t even know what’s going through your mind but focusing on staying on your board.”

The 2011 Park bronze medalist, Ben Hatchell, came out guns-blazing in his first final to earn a score of 43.00, the highest of the day. Hatchell lead the competition during the second half of the finals only to have Barros best his high score by one-point on his last run.

“I just went out there and had a good time and did whatever I could, it was a great course to ride and I just wanted to try more technical tricks and have a good time,” commented Hatchell.Seasoned veteran Rune Glifberg who has competed in every single X Games picked up a bronze medal. The Copenhagen, Denmark native, who is among the oldest in the field, appeared much younger than his years with a skate style that exhibited unique speed lines and hard-charging tricks.

“There are a lot of young guys that did really well, Pedro is only 17 and already a veteran. The level keeps progressing and that’s skateboarding you know. That’s the beauty of skateboarding,” said Glifberg, “The X games are fun, it keeps getting better, it’s good to see the x games listening to the riders and the influence from the different sports and building courses with influences from actual riders.”

 

PODIUM RESULTS

1. Pedro Barros - 84.00

2. Ben Hatchell - 83.00

3. Rune Glifberg - 78.00