Kevin Reimer on his way to winning the Graveyard Call. Photo Pierre Gamby
Argonay, France - Kevin Reimer continued his domination of the 2010 IGSA World Cup Series with a convincing win over Patrick Switzer in Saturday's Open Downhill Skateboarding Final. Reimer was unbeatable all day long in the head to head format on the most technically demanding course of the Series.
Louis Pilloni defeated his Sector 9 team mate Evren Ozan in the Consolation Final to secure third place. It was a day of upsets with many of the favorites going out in the early rounds.
Yvon Labathe rounds the final turn in Street Luge qualifying. Photo Pierre Gamby
Argonay, France - Friday's weather forecast was called for a 50% chance of rain in Argonay. The Graveyard Call organizers were hoping the rain would stay away long enough so that the 19 Downhill skateboarders who were unable to take their qualifying run on Thursday could finally make their runs. Instead it was a frustrating day of rain followed by clearing skies and sunshine. The track would become about 80% dry only to have another rain shower come in and soak it all over again. The cycle repeated itself no less than three times throughout the day and at one point it was even hailing!
Kevin Reimer negotiates the esses in Argonay. Photo Bob Ozman
Argonay, France- Kevin Reimer picked right up where he left off in Germany by recording the fastest time in the first round of qualifying for Saturday's Graveyard Call World Cup. 83 of the 102 competitors competing in Downhill Skateboarding recorded qualifying times before heavy rains came in and washed out the rest of the afternoon's time trials. The weather forecast is calling for a 50% chance of rain on Friday so race officials are hoping to run the remaining 19 riders through their time trials in the morning. Reimer recorded a time of 2:08.113 to lead Thursday's qualifying.
Scoot Smith beats Mischo Erban to the line at Graveyard Call 2009. Photo Bob Ozman
When The Graveyard Call was held for the first time in 2009, people really didn’t know what to expect. It was the first time that the narrow and short D173 course would be mated to local roads that brought the finish line into the center of town. As it turned out the course was awesome! Many of the top riders felt it was the best course on the circuit. The narrow top section necessitated the need for 2-man heats. In the end the Final was a showdown between Scoot Smith and Mischo Erban, the #1 and #2 riders of 2008. It was a dogfight all the way down the mountain. Scoot nearly crashed within sight of the finish but recovered to earn the victory. In the Consolation Final it was newcomer Nicolas Robert winning over Patrick Switzer to earn 3rd. Expect another great battle in Argonay this year!
Yvon Labarth leads Luca Santolamazza in the second semi Final heat. Photo Kolby Parks
Hungerzell, Germany- For the first time in the history of the IGSA there is an Italian Street Luge World Champion. Luca Santolamazza was victorious this past Saturday at the brand new course in Hungerzell, Germany. The fast Italian rider overcame the hot and fast track conditions and two former world champions to claim the crown. As the quarterfinals started the field of 32 was cut in half to 16 and the racing was getting very tight.
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