The BMX Freestyle Big Air Final at X Games 13 on Thursday was a barn-burner, and veteran rider Kevin Robinson was the one who came out on fire. Making his 12th X Games appearance - he competed in the very first X Games in 1995, and has only missed one year since - Robinson squared off against a field comprised of mostly young bucks at STAPLES Center, and emerged victorious. After reaching verts of 18' and 20' on earlier runs, Robinson landed the winning trick on his fourth run: a no-handed backflip over the gap, followed by a flair that sent him soaring 18' above the quarterpipe. The judges gave him a 95.33, which held through the last round and granted Robinson his second BMX Freestyle Big Air gold medal in as many years.
"I'm so happy to be here at this event. I really care about it a lot," the East Providence, RI native said afterwards.
"I've been at the X Games since the beginning. It's been really great to see the events grow, and to grow with them."
Steve McCann locked in the silver on his last run with a back flip tail whip over the gap into a double tail flip with a 12'7" vert. The judges gave McCann a 93 flat - just barely giving him the edge over
Anthony Napolitan, who snagged a 92.66 on his last run.
"I'm stoked on my first medal ever at the X Games," McCann said. Considering the massive dimensions of the Big Air ramp,
"I was pumped I could even hold it together" to complete the trick that launched him into second place.
BMX Freestyle Big Air Final Results Final standings from the ESPN X Games 13 BMX Freestyle Big Air 1. Kevin Robinson / East Providence, RI / 95.33
2. Steve McCann / Melbourne, Australia / 93.00
3. Anthony Napolitan / Youngstown, OH / 92.66
4. Morgan Wade / Tyler, TX / 92.33
5. Allan Cooke / Greenville, NC / 89.00
6. Mat Hoffman / Edmond, OK / 86.00
MOVIES:Anthony Napolitan - 3rd place:
Steve McCann, 2nd place:
First place finisher Kevin Robinson:
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.