The first summer X Games was held in Newport, Rhode Island – a stone’s throw from the company’s head quarters in Connecticut – in front of a crowd of around 198,000. Almost 19 years later, the X Games has grown exponentially, adding several events and thousands of onlookers. Plenty has happened in that time, so we decided to pick our favorite moments from the past.
At X Games XVII in Los Angeles, the man known as the “Flying Tomato” took home gold in skateboard vert. It snapped a three consecutive win streak for Pierre-Luc Gagnon and proved White was just as explosive on wood as he was on snow.
Today, Huston is one of the most dominant street skaters out there, but many forget that he’s been performing at a high level since he was a youngster. In 2006, at X Games XII in Los Angeles, 11-year-old Huston became the youngest X Games participant in history. While he only finished in 8th in the street event, it was an interesting glance at what the future held.
Mirra became a household name in 2000 at X Games IV in San Francisco in a matter of seconds – and it was all thanks to one trick. The BMX heavyweight landed the first-ever double backflip in competition, much to the appreciation of the crowd. It was amazing at the time and helped Mirra take home gold in BMX Park – one of his career 24 medals, which was, at one time, the most.
In 2007, Bestwick won his first BMX Vert gold medal. Six years later in Spain, the trick-extraordinaire took home his eighth straight medal in the event – the longest streak in X Games history. With the city of Barcelona in the background, Bestwick made it look easy, pulling off some huge tricks. We have a feeling he’s not done yet.
Philadelphia. 2001. Burnquist came as close to perfection as any skateboarder ever has. Though he scored a 92.00 in his first run, he faced the improbable challenge of scoring over a 95.00 to take home the gold. But Burnquist pulled it off, scoring a 98.00 – the best run ever – thanks to a near flawless run, which was probably the best we’ve ever seen.
Deegan was a monster in the motocross world and decided to bring his talents to the X Games. In 2003, at X Games IX in Los Angeles, the freestyle motocross star pulled off the first 360 in the sport. It helped lead him to a bronze medal in FMX and gold in best trick.
Moto X Step Up might be one of the lesser known events, but it’s also one of the most difficult. However, last year at X Games Foz do Iguaçu, Hudson made it look easy. Hudson ran away with the win and became the first rookie to ever win the event. There’s no doubt he’ll now have a bulls-eye on his chest as he looks to continue his success in the event.
In the late 2000s, Brack was known as a retired IndyCar champion, but in 2009 at X Games XV, he decided to try his luck at rally X – and it paid off. Brack fended off champion Travis Pastrana and took home gold. What was even more impressive is ESPN placed commentators in the car with the two finalists, to describe the finals. The evolutionary coverage move was a TV first.
It was believed to be impossible and though many had tried, none could claim it. But at X Games XII Pastrana shocked the world and became the biggest trickster in moto, landing the double backflip. There’s not much more that needs to be said, we still watch this clip in awe.
Hawk had battled landing the 900 – two and a half rotations – for quite some time but the skateboarding legend finally pulled it off in 1999 at X Games V. It was a trick that helped change the sport and propel Hawk into a superstar pop-culture icon, even though it seems simplistic by today’s standards. It’s tough to think of a bigger moment in X Games history – both summer and winter.
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
