VQS Men’s Street Qualifier Photos + Highlights | RSEO 2024
Tyson Bowerbank.
Autumn air and overcast skies to start, the Rockstar Energy Open VQS Men’s Street Qualifier warmed up the crowd with two heats of six men each taking two :30-second runs trying to earn their way into the Men’s Street Semifinal. By the time the qualifier was over the sun shone through the clouds and the course was properly broken in.
Keeping the crowds informed were Sean Malto and Chris Roberts on the mic in the booth with Chris Pastras roaming the course to report live with the skaters. Talk about a dream team of respected skaters calling it as they see it in the event.
Josh Douglass.
FORMAT: 12 skaters, two heats of six. Two :30-second runs, best score counts. Top six advance to Men’s Street Semifinal.
Blending into the crowds and hanging out in VIP were other familiar faces from all corners of the world and industry. Snowboarders Mikey Cicareli and Sam paxwood were spotted in the crowd, as well as skateboard legend Heath Kirchart rocking a denim button-up. Other competitors were also in the mix. Pamela Rosa and Cordano Russell were kicking it in the middle floor of the VIP viewing tower while TJ Rogers was spotted doing pushups on the top floor.
Even the makeup of the event was loaded with legends. Co-founder of 411 Skateboard Video Magazine Chris Ortiz works behind the scenes as an organizer, while longtime skateboard filmmakers Riki Bedenbaugh and Lee Dupont are staggered around the course making sure the filming is legit.
Julian Christianson.
Toss in a PDX hometown hero like Alex Lobasyuk and the event couldn’t be anymore complete. Alex landed a perfect 180 switch to crooked down the Hubba before stepping off on a kickflip front 50-50 on the double set rail.
“It’s awesome to skate in an event like this since it is in Portland, my home,” said Alex. “With the amount of pros skating out here it is definitely a little nerve wracking but everyone is cool and it just feels like we are hanging out. I’m just stoked to be out here with my friend Johnny Purcell.”
Jake Ilardi.
When it was all said and done few were surprised that Tyson Bowerbank earned the top spot and would be skating again this weekend in the Men’s Street Semifinal.
“The VQS is super sick,” said Tyson after owning the event and earning the top qualifying spot. “Only certain people get into contests, so it is a good chance for anybody to make it in and get their shot.”
“Based on the lineup today I knew that Jake (Illardi), Julian (Lewis, Johnny Purcell and Josh Douglas were all going to do really well. They all made it, too.” Tyson went on to comment on the new faces, too. “Probably like half the dudes in this qualifier I haven’t met before.”
Tyson Bowerbank.
Photos by Taylor Ballard
TOP 6 ADVANCING (Trick Highlights)
- Tyson Bowerbank: No bails! Impossible the gator gap, back smith back 180 out of the bump to box, backside 360 3-block, back nosegrind frontside 180 bump to box
- Julian Christianson: Nollie heel noseslide box, switch bluntslide double set handrail, nollie 180 switch crooked off bump to box
- Jake Ilardi: No bails! 360 flip bump to bump, front feeble, front crooked grind on the bump to box, backside bigspin frontside boardslide to fakie on the double set handrail
- Gabe Vigliotti: Front 180 switch crooked box, kickflip frontside boardslide the double set handrail, backlip the A-Frame
- Josh Douglas: Switch crooked grind the hubba, Barley grind double set handrail
- Johnny Purcell: Nollie crooked, switch frontside feeble double set handrail
VQS Men’s Street Qualifier Results
- BOWERBANK Tyson USA 83.16
- CHRISTIANSON Julian USA 77.60
- ILARDI Jake USA 75.00
- VIGLIOTTI Gabe USA 72.66
- DOUGLAS Josh USA 70.16
- PURCELL Johnny CAN 69.00
- RAY Mikey CAN 67.53
- ROSEN Nels USA 65.33
- BRADFORD John USA 46.00
- LOBASYUK Alex USA 45.33
- KROETKOV Sewa NED 32.33
- CARRELL Ryan USA 29.33