Pedro Barros claimed first place at the Vans Park Series Brazil Global Qualifier on Saturday, April 8, 2017 one year after winning his hometown stop of Florianopolis in 2016.
“It’s skateboarding,” Barros said. “It’s the heat. It’s that flame that will always be alive. When it’s done with passion, and truly done, you’re going to see everyone give all they’ve got.”
For the official details (including full results) please follow the jump. Stay tuned for the next event when the Vans Park Series lands in Malmo Sweden May 26 – 27, 2017.
SERRA NEGRA, Brazil (April 8, 2017) – Brazilian skateboarding icon Pedro Barros celebrates a poignant victory today, claiming first place at the Vans Park Series Brazil Global Qualifier. A triumphant ode to the anniversary of winning his hometown stop of Florianopolis in 2016, Barros defended his VPS Brazilian title with sheer force throughout the park course, demonstrating his signature speed, creativity, and massive airs.
Crediting the passionate Brazilian skate scene in his victory speech, Barros said, “it’s skateboarding. It’s the heat. It’s that flame that will always be alive. When it’s done with passion, and truly done, you’re going to see everyone give all they’ve got.”
Italy’s Ivan Federico returns to the podium for his second runner up win to maintain his momentum as a star player in the series, while Alex Sorgente squeezes in third place thanks to an impressive comeback run in the finals.
The 2017 VPS Pro Challenger rankings continue to be led by Australia tour champion Tom Schaar, who was edged out of the Brazil podium by Sorgente in the final minutes of competition. Trailing Schaar on the Challengers leaderboard, São Paulo native Murilo Peres proved himself as a crowd favorite throughout the semis and finals.
In addition, Vans Park Series caps off an historic week for skateboarding in Brazil with the inaugural Vans Park Series Brazil National Championships, which saw the first-ever crowning of a men’s and women’s Brazil National Champion of park terrain skateboarding.
VPS Brazil Global Qualifier – Results
1. Pedro Barros
2. Ivan Federico
3. Alex Sorgente
4. Tom Schaar
5. Cory Juneau
6. Murilo Peres
7. Willy Lara
8. Tristan Rennie
VPS Men’s World Championship Tour – Pro Challenger Rankings
1. Tom Schaar
2. Murilo Peres
3. Willy Lara
4. Tristan Rennie
5. Roman Pabich
VPS Brazil National Champions
Luiz Francisco
Dora Varella
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The 2017 Vans Park Series Pro Tour is the premier league for professional park terrain skateboarders consisting of five men’s global qualifiers and one women’s global qualifier spanning five countries over six months and culminating with the official Vans Park Series World Championships. The 2017 Vans Park Series World Championships are sanctioned by the International Skateboarding Federation and will be held in September with final date and location to be announced on vansparkseries.com along with additional Pro Tour details.
Known for its unrivaled combination of speed, style, flow, amplitude and creativity, park terrain is the fastest growing discipline in competitive skateboarding today. The Vans Park Series is the defining event series for global competitive park terrain skateboarding and the first and only point system culminating in the official ISF-sanctioned park terrain skateboarding Continental and World Championships for men and women.
Showcasing an international roster of skateboarding’s elite pros and a total prize purse in excess of $500,000(USD), the Vans Park Series uniquely defines the park terrain format with its exclusive points system, judging guidelines and qualifying park terrain course criteria. Additional information will be available on vansparkseries.com, and catch all the Pro Tour stops live on Red Bull TV all season long.
Follow the Vans Park Series on social media or sign up online now for the latest information on Vans Park Series event details, elite pros, official sanctions and competition formats.
