IMYTA Winner I-view: Benny Harmanus - 06/09/28

Benny, props for winning the IMYTA+, what did go through your head when you landed the trick?

Oh I don't wanna sound like an asshole but I thought I can do it better and I wished there was time to do it again. No bullshit...if I would do it for a dvd...like I did similar tricks for the LOMP dvd...I keep on doing it 'til it's the way I want it to be. But then people just yelled so hardcore and elevated me! The crowd just decided that the battle is over!
And when I was trying that trick I knew that everyone thought that's not possible and only a few thought I can do it...like the dutchies that were on the LOMP tour. Steven knew it...he knows I am little monkey that can jump real far...haha...that's why he calls me "Bananus". We had a banana cocktail that night to celebrate…

Any words about Nick Lomax since you shared the win?

Seriously...he is amazing. When he skated the second spot I was scared as hell. He can do some crazy switch ups but not some senseless stuff...like real cool tricks. 270 Backside Backslide to Sweatstance is one of the best tricks ever! EVER! But as there were so many kids in my way I couldn't see all the tricks and of course I was a little bit nervous so I tried to focus on my tricks. I think that's what all the guys skating did.
And what I like about sharing it is that we represent both worlds of street skating...him going to the limits of tech skating and me trying to find another way to use the spot to make a stunt or some “creative” thing.

How did you come up with the idea of doing this trick, we talked the night before that and you told me that you knew a trick for each spot?

I didn't skate the day before IMYTA. I put on my skates and I just did one Topsoul during the Truth. I didn't want to risk getting hurt even if it was driving me crazy seeing Dre and the others skate that sick drop off kinkrail. I had to fight myself so hard to stay away. I think Azikiwee could see it.
When I went to the WTC spot I just took a look at the second and third spot and thought about tricks I could do. I wanted to do that transfer so bad and all I was hoping for is to make it out of round one and two. As my heel hurt so bad I wasn't able to do any gap so I had to change plans and do something on those droprails. First time I did that Zerospin Topacid on a rail like that...even if so many kids might be able to do that...for me that trick meant a lot...maybe more than the final trick.



How is it to skate brand new skates for the top event this year?

That was the worst idea ever! I sent an e-mail to Deshi on Thursday after I broke my skates on Wednesday: “URGENT, I NEED NEW SKATES!” So Bauer gave me new skates and a new frame on Saturday. They were to small but there were no more 41's left. So it hurt all day and as I put on new big wheels I didn’t lock any Topsoul on that small ledges. So I spent 30 minutes on some tricks like Truespin Unity and True Soul and I just thought "Hopefully that's enough to go to round 2". Oh and my head hurt so I swallowed two painkillers which helped a lot. Henry gave that Anti-Hangover Kit to me…thanks for that.

Were you remotely thinking that you could win the IMYTA one day?

I never go to a real street comp without dreaming of winning it. Cause that just means giving my best. But sometimes there's no chance for me if the spots don't offer an opportunity to do some creative trick or a big stunt. I was lucky that there was something that I could do right there and it really worked out. Back in the days I made it into the final round of IMYTA Paris...so close...but now...wow...I still can't believe it. And seriously...I don't give a fuck about X-Games...so winning the IMYTA is one of the best things that ever happened to me...EVER! Skating with people from all over the world. Not like competitors, we skated like one big family being happy about every trick laced. And I wish that Andreas Wagenblast and Haffey didn’t get hurt and that we would have been able to skate the finals together...if anyone else would be able to make it it's one of those guys!

You've been always around the Dutch guys, I guess you really enjoy Amsterdam?

Yes I love those guys as I feel they are true friends of mine. I’ve known Steven for a long time...Gijs, Amnon, Wietse, Steven Tonnon and now the new generation featuring Adil Farhouni, Tyron Ballantine and Daan Heegt. Those guys rock! If they say something they truly mean it and I like the way the look at rollerblading and how they help to make our “sport” look good to people that don’t know shit about it.

What was your general impression of Amsterdam this year?

All I have to say is that some event like that is only possible in Amsterdam. Three parties in a row...I was so fucked up on monday morning and I tried to remember what happened during the whole weekend. Drinking contest, Last man standing...fuck...the best festival ever in rollerblading history. All you guys that didn't show up and cried on message boards "It will rain all weekend...so fuck it" missed a lot of fun! I wanna see more people going there next year…and the year after that even more. It will be the new Lausanne!




What were some tricks that stood out the most in your opinion?

Way too many to name all sick tricks and I missed a lot but as Erik Baley is one of the skaters I like to see most that Front Torque to Backside Backslide was just incredible. No one in the world could lock that trick on that steep rail look any better.

Did you spend all your money immediately the same night?

Luckily I didn't get the money right there but when I woke up on Monday morning...even before I won I had spent way too much money in two days, Amsterdam is fucking expensive.
First of all I was just happy to get the title but right now I am happy about the money too as there are a hundred things I need it for…haha.

Tell us a bit about your up and coming project and where people can see more from you in the future?

THE MASK - THE INCIDENT IV is still not done as I am re-editing the intro to put in people like Oli Benet, Jacob Juul and some unknown Russian talents. My profile this time is different from the ones I had during the last years. More versatile showing some tech skills, not the craziest shit on earth but for me it’s fine. And there will be a guest profile on the IGNITION DVD coming this winter.

Any Shoutouts?

Mhh…always a problem as you can’t make sure not to forget someone. So I just say thanks to Steven T. as he gave me a place to crash, Gijs Peetsold for the wildcard…I was happy as fuck when I realized that only a few get one. Thanks to Julio and Azikiwee for running the IMYTA and some guys in the background helping like Bisi and Chuky. Thanks to the Conference as they support me - Matze, Bauer and Oli Benet. And of course: The Frankfurt Allstars rock! Andi Doehnert, Chris Weber, Patrick Ridder, Andre Lepszy, Seby Woerner, Jelle Otte, Marco Mopils and my injured brother Konni…MASK on a mission. Without you guys skating wouldn’t be the same and I enjoy skating with my friends more than anything else.


-Benny Harmanus with a Makio to Transfer Topsoul as a winning trick at the IMYTA+ 2006

Tags: amsterdam benny harmanus harmanus imyta imyta 2006 imyta plus