X-Games 2009: Looking Ahead to the Summer's Fiesta

Spring is here...well sort of. I've been itching for some good weather. With good weather comes more outside sporting and events. We're a while away from August, but I'm already looking forward to the X-Games.  Who'll be the hit misses. Who to be on the lookout for? I've got me eye on a couple of things.

Skateboard Street

Ryan Sheckler and Paul Rodriguez are always the favorites for Skateboard Street, but I don't really watch it. Hasn't been the same since Rodney Mullen and Chad Muska. I'm on the lookout for Chris Cole, he looks very promising.

Bob Burnquist

Brazilians stand up, Bob is a living miracle. A man who took so many falls and crashes and he's still going strong. This is one of the few legends still around since Tony Hawk and the golden era.

Last year, Bob did his thing again with one heck of 720 degree rodeo. Burnquist is now a two time big air winner and has the longevity to do so again this year. Bob seems to have father time on his side like Shawn Michaels, but there's one man who'll be looking to reclaim the Bir Air title that's rightfully is.

Jake Brown

Australians are tough. He'll be around. Too much speed from a 720. What a fall.

Danny Way

This is a man with guts. Big Air is one of the most exciting events (my favorite personally) as well as one of the most dangerous. How do you imagine the velocity as they launch off a 70-feet ramp?

Movement and timing is crucial...yet Danny Way makes it look so easy. He practically owns the Christ Air now. He had missed a year due to injury and returned last year to go for the 3-peat. He has two gold medals in Big Air in the X-Games and one medal from the Mexico X-Games.

He returned with a vengeance and lit up the ramps like a demon. Everything came to a halt when he took a nasty spill to the ground. Way didn't give up and returned for another run as he took the elevator to the top of the launching ramp and went for one heck of run...it just wasn't enough to defeat Burnquist. He will be back this year and Danny will be looking to find a Way.

Scott Murray

This is the die-hard Motorbike fan who sent in countless video tapes of himself performing the double backflip on his motorbike in his backyard. He was finally excepted into X-games. The only problem is that Motorbike prophet Travis Pastrana already hit the double backflip live, on dirt, in front of thousands, in one attempt, and not in a dumpster full of foam and cushion.

What made it worse was the fact that hecouldn't afford a trip to the X-Games in L.A. from his home in Mississippi. He came to the games in the weirdest fashion ever...in an ambulance van. How do you hitch and ambulance ride?

He went for his first try and failed badly. He failed so bad that his bike got trashed. He had no sponsor, so he came out with custom gloves and a sweater with his name on it in marker. No sponsor, no money.

No money, no replacement. He was out of the best trick competition with a trashed bike. What made matter more amusing is the fact that he returned again last year still trying to land the double backflip.

Pastrana did it already..it's been TWO years, my goodness. I give him props because he has guts and he lived his dreams out, but I have to wonder, did the X-Games bring him in because they believed he had a shot? Or did they bring him in because they wanted a good laugh? I'll applaud him again...but please stay home this year.

Shawn White

This is the guy right here. Some call him the next Tony Hawk. Do I? Ahhh no. This is a man who has gold medal in Skate boarding and Snowboarding. White is definitely the future.

He's landed 1080's and beyond in the winter games and has an acumen for skateboarding. For him to be Tony, he's has a long way to go. I'm not sure if he can outlast Bucky Lasek and Bob Burnquist. Last year he had the world on the edge of their seats promising the Armadillo Tuck, his new " spectacular" move.

Some people had the feeling on the 90's X-Games, where Dave Mirra continued to prosper and Tony Hawk landed the first ever 900 on live television before everyone started doing it like crazy. White brought the hype, but not the bang.

The Armadillo looked like a modified Cannonball with little fingerflip on the side. Many were disappointed, probably Shawn himself, who took home the silver medal in the Skateboard Vert. Skateboard Vert is where the big boys come to play and anyone from Hawk, Lasek, Burnquist, Glifberg and more can tell you that you have to bring it.

Jeremy Lusk

His Moto X freestyle run was nearly flawless. He won the gold medal, but won't get the chance to defend it this year. I never got a chance to say goodbye to Lusk. The motorbike star crashed on dirt and the impact was on his head and neck.

He went to the hospital, but died a few hours later. He was really one of the greats in Moto X freestyle..motorbike period. My condolences  go out to his friends and family. You can view the spill here.

Kyle Lota

He brought what Shawn White did, the bang. Kyle Lota took the Moto world by storm and took everyone's breath away when he did one heck of a run. Lota performed his new trick The Electric Death.

The move was a jaw dropper. Everyone including myself, knew that there was no topping that. There was no comeback, nothing better. Lota's move sealed his gold medal victory. Eat your hearts out non believers, he'll be back this year. Bet you'll know who Kyle Lota is now.

Be on the lookout for Dave Mirra and Wakeboarding/Surfing competitor, Dallas Friday.