The Paramount Studios back lot got its annual dose of serious skateboarding last night as the 5th Vans Downtown Showdown rocked the lot with riders from Girl, Flip, Blind, Creature, Black Label, Foundation, Toy Machine, SK8MAFIA and Zoo York going team vs. team on four team-designed features.
The Foundation team made up of (Corey Duffel, Sierra Fellers, Gareth Stehr, Angel Ramierz, Nick Merlino, David Reyes, Abdias Rivera, Alex Gourodorous) took top team honors with top Am going to Nick Merlino and top pro nabbed by Jani Laitiala.
Follow the jump for all the details. Or click here to watch the entire event in HD on Fuel TV.
Foundation Takes 5th Annual Vans Downtown Showdown Team Title
Foundation’s Nick Merlino Named Top Am and Blind’s Jani Laitiala Top Pro of Day
Hollywood, CA (Saturday, September 26, 2009) – The 5th Vans Downtown Showdown presented by Rockstar Energy Drink went down on the Paramount Studios back lot Saturday with the world’s top street skaters attacking custom-built obstacles set against a New York City backdrop. The Foundation board crew claimed team honors and $30,000, while Foundation’s Nick Merlino won $5,000 as top am and Blind’s Jani Laitiala was named top pro for the second year in a row, pocketing $13,500 total.
The Vans Downtown Showdown attracted many skaters who rarely take part in contests from Girl, Flip, Blind, Creature, Black Label, Foundation, Toy Machine, SK8MAFIA and Zoo York.
Each skateboard team submitted designs for a custom obstacle with the top four chosen and built to that team’s specifications. Skateboard teams then chose three riders, consisting of at least one pro and one am, to jam on each of the four features.
Thousands of skate fans took in the evening’s action on a live HD webcast powered by FUEL-TV which featured live cut-ins on FUEL as well as prize giveaways throughout the evening. One lucky viewer won a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.
Here’s a break down of the best performances of the day:
Girl’s Little China Girl
1. Zered Bassett (Zoo York) – $2,500
2. Angel Ramirez (Foundation) – $1,500
3. Ron Deily (Zoo York) – $1,000
Flip’s Extremely Sorry
1. Jani Laitiala (Blind) – $2,500
2. Nick Trapasso (Toy Machine) – $1,500
3. Louie Lopez (Flip) – $1,000
Creature’s Hesh Cross
1. Vince Del Valle (Black Label) – $2,500
2. Angel Ramirez (Foundation) – $1,500
3. Jani Laitiala (Blind) – $1,000
Black Label’s Drunk Tank
1. Nick Merlino (Foundation) – $2,500
2. Billy Marks (Toy Machine) – $1,500
3. Felipe Ortiz (Blind) – $1,000
Top Am Performance – Nick Merlino (Foundation) – $5,000
Top Pro Performance – Jani Laitiala (Blind) – $10,000
Overall Team Winner – Foundation ($30,000), Blind 2nd ($15,000), Toy Machine 3rd ($5,000)
A big thanks to each of the teams that represented:
Black Label: Shuriken Shannon, Chris Troy, Adam Alfaro, Kyle Leeper, Vince De Valle, Peter Raffin
Peter Watkins, Ben Skrzpek, Ethan Fitzpatrick
Flip: Louie Lopez, Curren Caples, Geoff Rowley , David Gonzalez
Zoo York: Zered Bassett, Brandon Westgate, Chaz Ortiz, Eli Reed, Ron Deily
Blind: Jake Duncombe, Ronnie Creager, Morgan Smith, Jani Laitiala, Kevin Romar, Felipe Ortiz, Danny Cerezini, James Craig
Foundation: Corey Duffel, Sierra Fellers, Gareth Stehr, Angel Ramierz, Nick Merlino, David Reyes,
Abdias Rivera, Alex Gourodorous
Toy Machine: Ed Templeton, Austin Stephens, Johnny Layton, Billy Marks, Leo Romero
SK8 Mafia: Kellen James, Peter Smolik, Brandon turner, Wes Kremer, Tyler Surrey, Nick Tucker, Jamie Palmore, Larelle Gray, Marshall Heath
Creature: Neil Heddings, Sam Hitz, Truman Hooker, Adrian Mallory, Sean Conover
Girl: Mike Carroll, Rick Howard, Brian Anderson, Alex Olson, Sean Malto, Mike Mo Capaldi, Cory Kennedy, Guy Mariano
