Contest Wrap Up : Montreal Classic - 07/09/05

Really, Montreal Classic is this weekend? How far is it from here? Sure lets go, why not.

That’s pretty much how the decision was made to wander into from NYC this last weekend. Although we didn’t have a ride up, or a plan of where everybody would stay, it just seemed like a good idea. Franco went to see his boy at the Car Rental place, and before we knew it we were on our way. The final lineup consisted of Franco Cammayo, Austin Paz, Richie Coroley, Billy Oniel, and yours truly.

-Zeek from D-Structure SF keeping things organized

Billy and Richie took care of all the necessary things you have to get rid of before crossing the border, while Franco was busy getting his license re-suspended for speeding. Austin hung back eating his eddy’s ice cream and pickle seeds. Late into the night, past the border, and after a few wrong turns we ended up surrounded by the Montreal skyline and French signs we couldn’t read.

A few hours sleep and we visited D-Structure, as is the custom of any rollerblader visiting Montreal. We linked up with Julio and Bailey, grabbed some Pita-Pit (if you don’t know about pita pit you should), and took a venture to the Montreal Stadium. Walking around the stadium, my head was filled with IMYTA flashbacks, and we ended up at the downledge for a session. The guys went back to back to back with first try tricks down the ledge, until Franco’s frame snapped and broke the cycle.

After a few solid tricks and few bad falls, we skated other parts of the stadium, and the nearby oval fullpipe. After the sesh, we headed back to the city, where Austin and Franco stayed comfortably with their valo team members, and the rest of us ventured out for a place to sleep. After a few hours of searching, we realized that every single hotel in the city was booked up, so we just parked the car, hit the streets, and hoped everything would work out…. And it did… sort of.

The night included few bars, live bands, old friends, and wandering the city sampling Poutin, and then Richie stumbled upon a hotel with vacancy. Actually hotel is not the right word. Not anywhere close. This place was next to a strip club with all sorts of shadyness lurking in the corners. Quotes that night included “the grimy-est place I’ve ever stayed”, and “I didn’t even get under the covers, I just slept on top scared of what was crawling around in there”, and “you pissed in the sink? Me too!”

The 4 star accommodation let them rest a little bit, before getting kicked out in the morning to start the next day. The competition was a good mix of people, and we found out more American friends were present than we thought. Broskow came in town, Azikiwee, Jon Jon Bolino and crew, as well as Jimmy Hake and friends. Skaters from all over were in attendance, and ripping the park properly. Skaters like Charles Nantel really shined, as well as other locals who were drawing cheers from the crowd. The comp was organized really well as usual, and the park was great for an event.

-Alex Broskow - Fishbrain

Throughout all the amazing skating, Alex Broskow was putting on an entertaining show, skating flawlessly with a smile on his face, but the finals was full of great skating. Erik was executing a bag full of pulls despite running into a few chests like colliding with 3 different beams on the coarse. Charles was lightning speed and smooth style over the whole coarse. One guy from was out killing it, and the other Montreal local grinding the quarter around the entire park atleast 3 times. The top 2 places were between Jon Jon and Alex, both skating at high levels. Amidst all Jons tech tricks, he suffered a collision with Charles in mid-air. He collected himself, did a 540 true back unity, and then 180d from the gap Alex did earlier. Alex countered with a styled 540, and Jon Jon did the same 540 but over the box and the rail too. Alex did a huge disaster switch alyoop porn, one of the tricks that was likely to seal the win. Jon Jon went to raise the bar one more time, with a 900 over the gap, but couldn’t stick the landing. After the fall he walked up the ramp and started throwing up, and the comp was over. It was the first time I’ve seen a competition end because of vomit, but after the madness that went down I wasn’t all that surprised.

-JonJon Bolino 360 Acid Pre-Puking

Alex took the win, with Jon Jon’s impressive 2^nd place. The other competitors who made the money were

3^rd erik bailey
4^th charles nantel
5^th julien deschamps

Big props to D-Structure for another great event, and to all the skaters who came out and made this possible. The Montreal Classic truly lives up to its name. As all trips come to an end, ours ended with an all night drive starting around 2am, ending in NYC rushhour traffic. Everybody was late for work and almost got fired, especially Fish who was 3 hours late, and arrived right as his boss was pulling up. We had to drive around the corner and sneak him in ninja style just in time. Did I mention he’s shooting for the next Be-Mag interview? You may want to keep an eye out for that one.

Till next time –

-jero

Tags: alex broskow contest report jon jon bolino montreal