Pocket Pistol's B. "Chicken" Deck is all over the import industry's use of heat-transfer graphics to boards. Sure, he's a silk-screen traditionalist (and one of the best), but there's more to this than just gripin': heat breaks down epoxy and the boards get hot!
Of course, PPS makes all of Christian Hosoi's boards and you never met a better OG Skate God. Click Chicken's graphic to leap over and check out the latest Hosoi boards, all silkscreened...
If you know anything about downhill skateboarding or the thrill of descending butter-smooth pavement, you've heard about the amazing Maryhill Loops Road and the Maryhill Festival of Speed. Following in the tradition of TSR's race series on this amazing, historic hill, Volcanic Production's put together the '07 Festival and it rocketed to the top of skaters' lists of events to make in '08. This year, the MFOS is also the IGSA World Championships...
And So, It Begins.
The weather in Goldendale, Washington is cool and crisp, with a dusting of snow on nearby mountains, but a predicted 72 degree (22c) high with sunny skies over a beautiful road. John "Maryhill Man" Ozman says, "Mary is all dressed and ready, and the weather is perfect. We've had light winds so far." As the race director prepares the venue for the 5 days of freeriding, qualifying and hardcore racing at Maryhill, athletes from around the globe are arriving at Portland International Airport and trekking 2 hours inland along the Columbia River. They'll pass through Hood River, then cross the bridge to Washington State and Maryhilll, herself. Malakai Kingston is already on the hill, reporting and seeking to poach a run without being snagged by Bob the course manager. Kai reports that Mischo and Martin Siegrist were enjoying a cup of coffee together near the athletes' village and that the Northwest Longboarding crew have arrived.
We'll have daily reports, photos and more from John Ozman, Marcus Reitema, Silverfish skaters from all over and, if the Wizzard doesn't choke him to death first, Malakai Kingston, beginning tonight.
DH Skateboard Podium. L-R: Jackson Shapiera, MischoErban, Patrick Rizzo
Photo Marcus Rietema
Thalgau, Austria - Canadian MischoErban (Team Landyachtz) won the Rock and Roll World Cup in dominant fashion today leaving his three rivals to fight it out for second. Jackson Shapiero (Hopkin Racing) from Sydney, Australia finished in second place to show he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Patrick Rizzo (Sector 9 Racing) from Oakland, California was third. Reigning IGSA World Cup Series Champion Erik Lundberg (Sector 9/Quicksilver/Kahalni) surprisingly had nothing for his rivals in the final and wound up fourth.
Click through for the rest of Marcus Rietema's race report & detailed results for every class.
Coming from overseas, here are two IGSA World Cup reports lashed into one. It's been raining in Thalgau and the speedboarders stayed off the course for a day... does this throw an advantage to the rain-loving crew out of Vancouver? It may have: Mischo Erban is the Top Qualifier for the second year in a row! Will he be the third Canadian to top the podium in as many races, this Saturday?
Race Report: Rock & Roll World Cup
Days 1,2 & 3
MischoErban Qualifies Number One
EVENING UPDATE
Thalgau, Austria - Although there were continued rain showers this afternoon, race officials deemed the conditions good enough to run a four and a half hour practice session. Only about 40 riders chose to participate. The practice sessionwent off without incident. Everyone is hoping the weather will improve tomorrow and that qualifying session #1 can go ahead as scheduled tomorrow afternoon.
NOON REPORT
Thalgau, Austria - It's been raining hard in Austria for the past 24 hours. The two-hour morning practice session has been canceled. At the moment the rain has stopped and the organizers are hopeful that they can run practice this afternoon. With the high speeds riders attain on the Thalgau race course. officials deemed the course unsafe to run under the conditions. It has been a very wet summer in Europe with abnormal weather. We will update again in the evening.
Rock & Roll Downhill Skateboard–Festival in Thalgau !
This will be the third of 3 IGSA World Cups events in the month of July. Beginning on Wednesday July 23, the riders from all disciplines (Downhill Skateboard, Classic Luge, Street Luge, Gravity Bike and Dirt Surfer) have two days of training runs to learn the fastest route down the track.
Rock & Roll 2008, the fastest race of the International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA) World Cup Series takes place for the second time in Thalgau, Austria (near Salzburg). More than 120 racers from around the world are looking forward to this unique event with top speeds of 100 kph for Downhill Skateboarding and 120 kph for the luge disciplines.
When a quiet band of modest speedboarders landed on European shores some weeks ago, the Continentals weren’t alarmed at all.“It will be nice to show them how we race on real courses”, remarked one.Okay, they’re not quiet or modest, they’re funloving, loud North Americans with a super strong, stoked racing program and K-Rimes started the Conquest of Europe with a solid win at Peyragudes.The Euro’s responded, “Wait for Almatrieb”, and that’s exactly what happened:Scott Smith waited, then swooped around for the win!Check it out:
Canuck Hoards Rage Across Europe!
Scoot Smith Wins IGSA Almatrieb!
"Scoot" Smith is now the Mayor of Almabtrieb.
Jungholz, Austria – Scott “Scoot” Smith earned his first victory of the 2008 season and strengthened his grip on the IGSAWorld Cup Series Championship point standings with a dramatic come from behind pass of fellow Canadian Kevin Reimer on the final straightaway. Alexandre Ulrich from France finished third and Stefan Ruefli from Switzerland finished in fourth.
Click through to read the rest of IGSA's race report and watch video!
IGSA Coverage 
