Just a few short years ago, no one had ever pulled a kickflip indy in a women’s vert competition. Today, three of the eight competitors in the X Games Skateboard Vert Women’s competition added the trick into fluid runs, which resulted in podium spots for each of them.

Last year’s gold medalist, Karen Jonz, skated strong today, stomping not only the kickflip indy, but a solid stalefish and a finger flip indy. In the end, however, the judges awarded gold to last year’s silver medalist, Lynz Adams Hawkins, for her multiple McTwist attempts, and her commitment to setting the bar higher for women’s vert.

Lynz, who has been getting coaching from Tony Hawk for the McTwist, has yet to land the trick in a contest, but so far she is the only female skateboarder attempting to try them.

“I honestly thought I was going to get third,” said Lynz of her win. “30 minutes for a jam session is technically a long time, but the competition went really quick because it was just go go go the whole time. I didn’t even get as many runs as I thought I would.”

Bronze medalist Gaby Ponce, a high school student from New Jersey competing in her second X Games, impressed the crowd with huge airs and a stylish gay twist. “This was the best contest I’ve ever been in,” she said.

“We’re all really pushing each other right now,” added Lynz. “I’m not even going to be able to snowboard this winter, because I’m going to have to skateboard all year round so I can practice and stick even more tricks next year at X Games’ sweet sixteen.




Women's Vert Final Results

Name/Rank Hometown
1. Lynz Adams Hawkins Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.
2. Karen Jonz Santo Andre, Brazil
3. Gaby Ponce Tenafly, N.J.
4. Cara-Beth Burnside Encinitas, Calif.
5. Julie Kindstrand Santa Ana, Calif.
6. Mimi Knoop Chesapeake, Va.
7. Allysha Bergado El Segundo, Calif.
8. Elise Dabby Del Mar, Calif.


Photos: Laura Austin