So we’re currently in Mayrhofen, where an interesting story has emerged regarding the recent X Games Street contest. The UK’s Jamie Nicholls was invited as a reserve for the event and was therefore practicing on the course the day before the comp. In order for him to actually compete, someone would have to drop out through injury. Word is, though, that it all kicked off when his fellow competitors – led by the X Games Real Snow contest winner Louif Paradis – demanded he be allowed to enter. Their reasoning? Jamie was better than any of ’em! Not only had he beaten most of the same field at the Burton Rail Days comp in Japan, he was once again looking unbeatable in practice. Unfortunately the organisers didn’t see it that way, and despite Louif even offering to give up his own place, they flat refused to change the start list and duly crowned a North American winner in Forest Bailey (see video below). If this rumour is true, then it somewhat makes a mockery of the idea that this was a comp for “the world’s best street athletes” – indeed the all American/Canadian line-up places it closer to the World Baseball Series for international flavour. We can only hope they sort their priorities out next year. Meanwhile Jamie will be competing in the qualifiers for the Billabong Air & Style this weekend, and we wish him luck.
