Sky Brown ~ Photo Phil Ellsworth ESPN

Sakura Yosozumi ~ Photo Mpu Dinani ESPN

Cocona Hiraki ~ Photo Joshua R. Gateley ESPN

First off, with a field of just ten women competing in X Games Park and no prelims or semi’s, the pressure was ON. And the skaters rose to the occasion! But before we get into all of that and who ended up on podium…

We wanted to say how happy we were to hear Olympian skateboarder, Amelia Brodka, announcing Women’s Park. Amelia did a great job today, and we can only hope this is an ongoing situation - she brought a lot of her personal insight about the skaters, their lines and tricks to the broadcast. We have always said that we need knowledgeable female announcers and judges at the women’s events, so maybe the tide is turning! You can catch her announcing debut in the videos below. Congrats Amelia!

OK, now back to the comp.

(Top Image) Sky Brown GOLD, Sakura Yosozumi SILVER / Photo Gabriel Christus ESPN

(Bottom Image) Cocona Hiraki BRONZE. / Photo Phil Ellsworth ESPN

Last summer’s X Games gold medalist, Sky Brown, took the first gold medal of the day in Women’s Skateboard Park. Brown claimed first after her second run, which included a frontside 360 over the box, frontside stale air in the deep end, alley-oop over the gap, backside air, backside lipslide, frontside Ollie transfer, invert, kickflip Indy over the box, Crail, backside Smith, nosegrab 540 on the hip, Smith grind to frontside 540. Sky becomes the second athlete to win two X Games gold medals before the age of 15. X Games Chiba Park gold medalist Sakura Yosozumi took silver, and Cocona Hiraki rounded off the podium with bronze.

Sakura took a bad fall on her last run and was helped out of the bowl by medics, so we are glad to see she is doing OK and was able to be awarded her silver medal!

Minna Stess ~ Photo Mpu Dinani

Bryce Wettstein ~ Photo Rich Storry ESPN

USA Team riders Bryce Wettstein and Minna Stess solidly held onto their 4th and 5th place spots and were charging hard. The Japanese skaters who have dominated for a while now may want to watch their backs because Bryce was dialed in as usual, and Minna had a variety of tricks and combos that were very different than we saw just a few months ago at X Games Chiba. Add all that to her awesome style when she executes those tricks, and we don’t doubt that she will be on that podium soon!

Results Women’s Skateboard Park

1. Sky Brown (GBR)

2. Sakura Yosozumi (JPN)

3. Cocona Hiraki (JPN)

4. Bryce Wettstein (USA)

5. Minna Stess (USA)

6. Mami Tezuka (JPN)

7. Ruby Lilley (USA)

8. Lizzie Armanto (FIN)

9. Yurin Fujii (JPN)

10. Kisa Nakamura (JPN)

Women’s Skate Park, as well as women’s skate street, are happening this weekend at the X Games, and you can watch both LIVE!

Did we also mention that pro skater and Olympian, Amelia Brodka, will be one of the on-air analysts for the X Games? We can’t wait to hear Amelia’s perspective on the women’s events! Make sure you tune in and support!

Saturday, July 23rd - Women’s Skate Park

10:00 AM PT / 1 PM ET

On ABC and ESPN+

Sunday, July 24th - Women’s Skate Street

12:00 PM PT / 3 PM ET

On ABC and ESPN+

The women’s lineup for X Games park and street is looking like a packed field of shredders from all over the globe.

WOMEN’S PARK INVITED ATHLETES (as of 7/12/22)

• Lizzie Armanto

• Sky Brown

• Yurin Fujii

• Cocona Hiraki

• Ruby Lilley

• Kisa Nakamura

• Minna Stess

• Mami Tezuka

• Bryce Wettstein

• Sakura Yosozumi

WOMEN’S STREET INVITED ATHLETES (as of 7/12/22)

• Samarria Brevard

• Leticia Bufoni

• Chloe Covell

• Rayssa Leal

• Funa Nakayama

• Aori Nishimura

• Momiji Nishiya

• Poe Pinson

• Pamela Rosa

• Roos Zwetsloot

Fans can also consume behind-the-scenes X Games content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat. On TikTok, fans can discover and stay tuned in to the X Games action by checking out #XGames and using the hashtag in their own content for a chance to be featured.

In addition to the content on ESPN’s U.S.-based media platforms, X Games 2022 will be televised globally in 192 countries and territories to more than 500 million homes.

Image via SLS - Rayssa Leal 1st, Yumeka Oda 2nd, Pamela Rosa 3rd

The SLS Women’s Comp in Jacksonville, FL was seriously unbelievable - if you missed any portion of the prelims or finals, we have both here.

Watch the SLS women’s prelims that took place on Saturday because all the women seriously ripped! There were some surprises there, too, so it’s definitely worth a watch!

It was also a bonus having OG skater Alex White back doing interviews with the skaters - let’s keep that going!!

In the finals, it was a battle until the end with Rayssa Leal and Yumeka Oda.

Rayssa prevailed on her last trick scoring a 7.5 on her final trick attempt to sail her past Yumeka and into first place. This is the 4th SLS women’s event that Rayssa has won.

It should be noted that there was some interesting confusion when Pamela Rosa got a ZERO score on one of her tricks as the judges said she executed a trick from one of her two runs leading up to the trick section. As of last year, skaters may NOT execute a trick in the best trick portion of the contest that they have done in one of their two runs. Pamela seemed to either be confused or was saying it was a “variation” on a trick she had performed in her run. Either way, her score stayed at Zero for that trick attempt.

Watch the SLS prelims and the finals and see how much women’s street skateboarding has progressed!

RESULTS

1. Rayssa Leal (BRA) - 23.2

2. Oda Yumeka (JPN) - 23.0

3. Pamela Rosa (BRA) - 17.6

4. Nishiya Momiji (JPN) - 17.5

5. Roos Zwetsloot (NED)- 17.1

6. Poe Pinson (USA) - 14.5

7. Gabi Mazetto (BRA) - 12.5

8. Nishimura Aori - 10.4

Past SLS Competition - Image via SLS

Get ready, because SLS is starting this weekend and the women are more than ready! Some are just getting back from competing in Rome at Olympic qualifiers and the heat is ON. Tune in and give your support to all the women skating in SLS this weekend!

Where is SLS Jacksonville taking place?

The competition will be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

How do I Watch?

Info via SLS

What time is SLS Jacksonville?

Saturday, July 16 Women's & Men's Prelims

• 12:00 PM - 2:05 PM ET Women's Prelims (2 Runs + 4 Tricks)

Sunday, July 17 Women's & Men's Final 

• 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ET Women's Final (2 Runs + 4 Tricks + 2 Tricks, 8 skaters)

What is the SLS 2022 schedule?

• Jacksonville, Florida - July 16-17

• Seattle, Washington - August 13-14

• Las Vegas, Nevada - September 8-9

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 5-6

Women Competing on SLS 2022 Tour

Rayssa Leal

Aori Nishimura

Marina Gabriela

Candy Jacobs

Pamela Rosa

Samarria Brevard

Funa Nakayama

Vitoria Mendonca

Roos Zwetsloot

Keet Oldenbeuving

Gabriela Mazetto

Momiji Nishiya

Poe Pinson

Yumeka Oda

We thought it was time to revisit this amazing day we witnessed in 2016 at the Vans Pro Skate Series in Huntington Beach, CA. When this “new girl” dropped into the park and started skating, people wrongly assumed that Hanna Zanzi virtually came out of nowhere. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Hanna had been skating since she was a young kid tearing it up at CASL contests and all the other events meant for kids her age. After a few years of winning against the girls, and boys, she quietly slid out of the contest scene, but she still kept skating - for herself.

Hanna Zanzi - - Photo Ian Logan

Coming back and entering the Vans Pro Park Series was fun for her - win or lose, she was out to skate hard, try daring new tricks, and smile no matter what. She had a 100% “go for broke” attitude. Nothing was calculated, there were no specific runs in her head, she just skated. Hard. Girls who had been competing together often were upended by the situation of this “newcomer” in their midst. When she posted a huge score on her first run during the finals, that was it. She had the lead and was poised to win. After the last skater took their run and the scores showed that she was way ahead of the second closest skater, the crowd went wild and the tide turned. Hanna totally shook up the womxn’s competitive skateboarding circuit that day.

Podium - Jordyn Barratt 3rd, Hanna Zanzi 1st, Lizzie Armanto 2nd - Photo Ian Logan

We firmly believe that having open contests like this (as opposed to invite only) only makes womxn’s skateboarding that much stronger and pushes everyone a bit harder.

Know your women’s skate history and the stories that are buried a bit, like Hanna’s - it’s important.

X Games 2022 Returns to Southern California July 20-24 with More than 15 Hours of Live Coverage

• All X Games Competitions to Stream Live on ESPN+ for the First Time Ever
  
  

WOMEN’S SKATE SCHEDULE - TUNE IN!

Saturday, July 23rd - Women’s Skateboard Park

In this Final-only format, the eight to ten athletes will complete as many runs as possible within a 36-minute jam session, with their best run score counting towards final ranking. Competitors will be judged based on aggressive execution of maneuvers, degree of difficulty, variety, continuity of run, originality and style, amplitude (height of airs) and use of the course.

Women’s Competition Format
Final 10 (1 heat of 10) 36-min jam Best score per rider

1 PM ET / 10 AM PT (block of various events - but women’s park should come on first)

On ABC and ESPN+

Sunday, July 24th - Women’s Skateboard Street

The Street competition features a street-inspired course that consists of stair sets, banks, manual pads, ledges, rails and quarterpipes. In this Final-only format, the ten athletes will complete as many runs as possible within a 36-minute jam session, with their best run score counting towards final ranking. Competitors will be scored on degree of difficulty, variety, height, distance and execution of
tricks, along with continuity of run, originality, style and use of the entire course.

Women’s Competition Format

Final 10 (1 heat of 10). 36-min jam Best score per rider

1PM ET / 10 AM PT - (women’s street should come on right after BMX Dirt and Street Best Trick)

On ABC and ESPN+

This event marks the first time X Games content will stream live on ESPN+, in addition to more than 15 hours of the best action sports competition on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC July 20 – 24. X Games will once again collaborate with Instagram and TikTok to bring fans the most extensive coverage on social media.

In addition to the content on ESPN’s U.S.-based media platforms, X Games 2022 will be televised globally in 192 countries and territories to more than 500 million homes.

Social Media & Entertainment Platforms at X Games 2022

With a projected 1000+ posts from July 20-24, @XGames social media will be firing on all cylinders with behind-the-scenes content, viral-potential TikTok’s & Reels and athlete collabs of gold, silver and bronze medal runs. Fans can consume X Games content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat. On TikTok, fans can discover and tune in/watch alongside/stay tuned to the X Games action by checking out #XGames and using the hashtag in their own content for a chance to be featured.

A NEW FEMALE ANALYST JOINS JACK MITRANI!

It also exciting to hear that pro skater Amelia Brodka will be joining the team of play-by-play commentators and analysts! Gary Rogers returns with help from newcomers Renton Millar and Amelia Brodka, covering Skateboard Vert, MegaPark and Women’s events, respectively. Brodka is a two-time X Games competitor and represented Poland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Announcer for the Bondi Bowlarama and X Games Sydney 2018, Millar’s skateboarding career spanned more than 30 years and all facets of the industry.  

ESPN’s Victoria Arlen provides the week’s sideline reporting.

The women’s lineup for X Games park and street has been updated and it’s looking like a packed field of shredders from all over the globe.

WOMEN’S PARK INVITED ATHLETES (as of 7/12/22)

• Lizzie Armanto

• Sky Brown

• Yurin Fujii

• Cocona Hiraki

• Ruby Lilley

• Kisa Nakamura

• Minna Stess

• Mami Tezuka

• Bryce Wettstein

• Sakura Yosozumi

WOMEN’S STREET INVITED ATHLETES (as of 7/12/22)

• Samarria Brevard

• Leticia Bufoni

• Chloe Covell

• Rayssa Leal

• Funa Nakayama

• Aori Nishimura

• Momiji Nishiya

• Poe Pinson

• Pamela Rosa

• Roos Zwetsloot

If you haven’t watched Mano A Mano this season - it’s a must!

Ruby Lilley takes on Amelia Brodka in the final game of Mano A Mano 2022. And there is some serious skating going down. Stay tuned and get ready to gen pumped!

What is Mano A Mano? The game brings 24 of the world’s best transition skaters together for a single-elimination Game of S.K.A.T.E. tournament on the iconic Mini Ramp at Woodward West. New for 2022 is an 8-skater women’s division featuring top pros and up-and-coming talent, along with a handful of bonus challenges for cash prizes.

Funa Nakayama ~ Photo via World Skate

The Women’s Skateboarding Street Qualifier today in Rome was insane! We don’t want to give it all away in case you missed it live (we have the full video below) but we will say that Chloe Covell from AU was absolutely killing it! At just twelve years old Chloe solidly held her own with these seasoned competitors. The Japanese skaters were determined to make this a full sweep even with the two Brazilians, Rayssa Leal and Pamela Rosa nipping at their heels. Fierce competition took place and it was anyone’s guess as to who would make it onto the podium.

It also bears noting that the USA did not have any female skaters make it to the quarter-finals or beyond. We really have our work cut out for us. Right now Japan and Brazil are dominating with AU gaining as well.

Last but not least, it was fantastic having OG pro skater Alex White doing commentary during the women’s comp. Her knowledge of tricks, background on each skater, scoring, and more make her our favorite! It’s been a difficult road getting female announcers at women’s comps and the Olympics should be thankful to have Alex on board. Let’s hope she is their select for Paris 2024!

Competition Format:

2 Runs + 5 Trick Attempts (Best Run + 02 Best Tricks Counts)

8 Athletes per heat (2 heats)

Spoiler Alert Below!!

Results:

1. Funa Nakayama - Japan Score: 264.13

2. Momiji Nishiya - Japan Score: 255.64

3. Yumeka Oda - Japan Score: 254.91

4. Rizu Akama - Japan Score: 254.62

5. Rayssa Leal - Brazil Score: 247.69

6. Coco Yoshizawa - Japan Score: 242.51

7. Chloe Covell - Australia Score: 230.59

8. Pamela Rosa - Brazil Score: 205.80