The Krush crew hit up the 3rd Annual Central MA Downhill, Slide Jam, and Freestyle Skate Competition this past weekend for a wet and wild day of skating. The event has become one of the premier longboard events in the northeast featuring over 200 competitors, a closed road, and a steezy coach bus to shuttle riders to the top of the hill. Unfortunately, not unlike last year, Mother Nature was uncooperative. Just as the 128 person downhill event was about to start it began to absolutely dump rain. Local longboard hero and organizer of the event, Mike Girard, was put in a pickle. After months of planning and a few sleepless nights making sure everything was in place he faced pressure from police and ambulance crews alike to call off the race. Despite their concerns, and in true hardcore-skateboarder fashion, Mike made the call that the show must go on. Just as the first wave of riders approached the starting line for the first heat of many to come the rain stopped and the sun began to peak out from behind the clouds. Yes, it was that epic. The races that ensued were nothing short of amazing with the final heat attracting hundreds of spectators crowding the road to see who will be named victor.
All in all the event was full of stoked kids who were psyched to ride with friends that share their same passion. The slide and freestyle jams that followed the downhill race seemed less like a competition and more like a 100+ person session with everyone cheering on the next. It’s refreshing to see the camaraderie between competitors in a sport that really is all about having fun. Check out the results below and if you didn’t make it out this year, be sure to hit it up in the future!
OPEN DH:
1st – Dane Webber ($500)
2nd – Luis Marrero ($250)
3rd – Steven Sanchez ($100)
4th – Steven Vaast GROM DH:
1st – Brett Zerø Ciabattini
2nd – Tucker Bishop
3rd – David Yang
4th – Philip Skar
LADY DH:
1st – Paige Marsicano ($150)
2nd – Amanda Powell ($75)
3rd – Cordelia Welch ($50)
4th – Monica Mejia
OPEN SOFTWHEEL FREERIDE:
1st – Brett Ciabattini ($300)
2nd – Chris O’Brien ($150)
3rd – Eric Squnto Roth ($50)
Honorable mentions: Norman Plante, Steven Sanchez, Austin Priester
HARDWHEEL FREERIDE:
1st – Ed Nieves ($150)
2nd – Steve Kong ($75)
3rd – Mason McNay
Honorable Mention: Thomas Meehan
LADY FREERIDE:
1st – Molly Lewis ($100)
2nd – Amanda Powell ($50)
3rd – Laura Nocka
GROM SOFTWHEEL FREERIDE:
1st – Jordan Billingsley
2nd – David Yang
3rd – Hughie Allan
Chinese Downhill:
1st – Victor Tu
2nd – Norman Plante
3rd – Stefan Kaiter-Snyder
Thanks to the staff and especially to Mike Girard for putting on such a rad event. The Krush crew can’t wait for next year’s event.
Check out the video below for some hilarity that ensued when the rain hit. Kids will do anything for some free stuff!
