By Eric Kirkwood

Firstly, I can say without any question of my own security as a skateboarder that the size and configuration of the mammoth X Games vert ramp would be overwhelming and even intimidating to just about anyone . . . vert proficient or not. The girls all looked fairly comfortable after a few drop-ins and the jam began.

It was definitely refreshing to have the 9th annual X Games end in such a friendly manner. The girls all exuded a feeling of camaraderie and positively towards one another which definitely lended to the great energy on the ramp. Cara Beth Burnside had a good-sized bag of tricks and had no trouble throwing some lien airs over the hip right off the bat. Her feeble grinds during the jam were textbook . . . sick! Mimi Knoop is an East coast transplant and now spends her time ripping pools in So. Cal. Mimi’s pool influenced style gave her an almost surfy look, which made it a pleasure to see her flow the 120-foot monster of a ramp. Jen O’Brien is no stranger to a big ramp. As the wife of Bob Burnquist, she owns one half of a backyard skate monolith (although I am not sure which half). Jen had some good slob airs, stylish grinds and awesome backside ollies (Bob’s coaching is my guess).

The youngest skater in the jam was Jens skate buddy Lin-Z Adam Hawkins. Lin-Z skated strong in the woman’s street and looked equally as comfy on the big ramp. My favorite thing about Lin-Z is the fact that she ollies into backside grabs . . . way cool! Holly Lyons was having a great time and it showed. Although Holly ended up fifth this time out . . . there is no doubt we will be seeing much more of this lovely lady.

Thank you to all of the ladies involved in the jam, a wonderful wrap up to a wonderful event! See you all next event!