2008 Oregon Trifecta in Battle Ground- By Kilwag: Posted 8-29-08
Want to comment on this article?

2008 Oregon Trifecta in Tigard

Day three of the Trifecta and I may actually be getting worse as a photographer instead of better. Half of these pictures look like they were taken underwater. I remember having some sort of technical issue with my camera acting up, but it's been two weeks since I've looked at the pictures, and it's all a blur, sometimes literally. I think I caught the equivalent of Gulf War Syndrome from the Trifecta. Trifecta Syndrome manifests itself in laziness, general malaise and increased frequency of excuses.

Once again we had to suffer the indignity of having a contest named after Oregon in the state of Washington. The crowd sure loved Pier Park last year, and wanted to see it back again. Maybe they brought it back to Washington because last year's Battle Ground stop got rained out. Maybe it was because as one contestant from last year complained, "Pier Park is a jock park." Ask rich about that one. Don't get me wrong, Battle Ground is an excellent place for a contest, just not one with the word "Oregon" in it.

 

I arrived late. Very late. I missed the Ladies and al the heats for the Masters except for the Finals. I can't remember, was it hot? Not as bad as it was in Tigard. At least Grover had his shirt on today. Battleground is cursed though. We had a very short rain delay again, but more seriously, there was a very bad collision that left Taylor Bingaman with a broken nose, fractured cheekbone, 16 stitches and a concussion. Again, it happened right in front of me. (Next years advice - Don't skate near me, I'm cursed.) Taylor's eyes rolled into the back of his head and the blood started pooling on the concrete. The event staff didn't seem to know how to handle these situations. It was the second time in two days, and the third time that I've witnessed at Oregon Trifecta where an ambulance came to the scene. You'd think they'd have some sort of plan in effect. If they did, it wasn't very apparent. I believe in a person's right to chose whether or not to wear a helmet, but if they are going to hold these contests with a ton of people and so many blind spots, they ought to require a helmet or do away with the jam format. Anyway, I hope Taylor doesn't have any long term side effects.

 

The contest was fun. There was a lot of ripping. Blah blah blah... Sky Slejg was killing it. He's going ot be a force to watch as he gets a little older. Hell, he's one to watch right now. Where the hell was Mason Huggins? He was MIA the whole Trifecta. He actually won one of the events in 2006, you'd think he'd show up. The winner's podium was sweep for Bacon at Battle Ground. Some wad stole the overall title belt, which was an actual custom belt buckle that Jay Meer made. The culprit, a cameraman was busted the next weekend while wearing it at the Dew Tour. He claimed he found it some of his stuff when he unpacked r something equally as weak. The ATV went to Buck Smith because was the closet to sweeping the Trifecat with two firsts and a second. Strange though that Julie Kindstrand actually got three first places and didn't get the ATV. (Insert commentary about the level of competition... here.)

 

From an outsider's perspective, The Oregon Trifecta went off the smoothest it has ever gone this year. Always a good time, always a relief when it's over. Can't wait 'til next year... Yes, I can, actually.

Second page of pictures.

Pro Top Ten

1. Benji Galloway - North Augusta SC USA - $1,000
2. Tim Johnson - St. Marys GA USA - $600
3. Kevin Kowalski - Seal Rock OR USA - $400
4. Brice Niebuhr - Yakima WA USA - $240
5. Bruno Passos - Rio de Janiero BRA - $200
6. Rion Linderman - Portland OR USA - $160
7. Sky Siljeg - Bothell WA USA - $120
8. Donovan Rice - Milwaukee OR - $120
9. Josh Sandoval - Fullerton CA USA - $80
10. Daniel Cardone - Bologna ITA - $80
    

Masters Top Ten

1. Pat Ngoho - Venice CA USA - $680
2. Buck Smith - Atlantic Beach FL USA - $400
3. Jason Parkes - San Diego CA USA - $280
4. Steve Alba - Badlands CA USA - $200
5. Pat Black - San Francisco CA USA - $160
6. Steve Grover - Portland OR USA - $120
7. Shawn Black - Twin Falls ID USA - $80
8. Jon Yunker - Boston MA USA - $80
9. Roy Starin - Long Beach CA USA
10. Tom Kilroy - Boise ID USA

Ladies Top Ten (Only 9 entires)

1. Julie Kindstrand - Santa Ana CA USA - $400
2. Megan Brown - San Bernardino CA USA - $240
3. Erin Wolfkiel - Liberty Township OH USA - $160
4. Nora Vasconcellos - Pembroke MA USA - $120
5. Lexi Barclay - Folsom CA USA - $80
6. Amee Jay Papelera - Lakewood CA USA
7. Britney "Radcore" Talbot - Aloha OR USA
8. Justyce Tabor - Seaside OR USA
9. Haley Kindstrand Santa Ana CA USA

Official results available from the World Cup web site: Results

2008 Oregon Trifecta in Battle Ground- By Kilwag: Posted 8-29-08
Want to comment on this article?

photos © Kilwag