February 2004 - Vodafone X-Air Comp, Hamilton, New Zealand
Repco Sport, Haro New Zealand distributors, stepped up again as the key BMX sponsor of the annual Vodafone X-Air comp held in Hamilton, New Zealand on the 6th and 7th of Feb. A sick field of international and local riders all ripping on street, vert and dirt. The Haro sponsored comp is the biggest action sports event in the country and the riding didn’t disappoint.
Street:
This year’s street comp saw the best riding ever seen in NZ and with a field of 20 international riders taking on a strong New Zealand contingent. The first two heats were epic with all 10 riders advancing to the final within 5 points of each other. The final started with local kiwi rider Jed Mildon pulling his first ever flip-whip over the box and it just got crazier from there.
The final was incredible but it came down to the last 4 riders to sort out the prize money. Aussies Mykel Perkins was riding with his usual aggressive style including huge tricks off the box and dropping in off the 17ft wedge extension.
Dave Osato took away 3rd in typical Osato style with a combination of tech tricks and sick lines. Ben Manual sent the crowd crazy with a near perfect run that ended with a 32ft transfer out of the 8ft quarter cat walking across the 18ft high vert wall and back in to a 5ft quarter. It was insane!
But where Perko had intensity, Osato was tech and Ben Manuel has lines that were nearly unthinkable… Nyquist had it all. His first run of the finals was practically unbeatable with a massive flair out of the bowl corner, a host of variations and transfers from the box to the spine and a run that used nearly every obstacle in the course. Ryan was supreme and even though the all round level of riding was incredible he once again took it to a new level blowing away everyone that saw him ride.
Dirt:
The dirt comp was held indoors on a standard 6 pack finished off with a 14ft vert wall. Even though Vert and Street were both insane Dirt was the highlight of the BMX at X*Air. It’s too hard to single out too many riders because there were so many guys ripping, but Nyquist and Aussies Luke Parslow (Haro), Colin MacKay, Mykel Perkins, Tim Casey (Haro), Corey Bohan and Ryan Guettler stood out pulling huge combinations.
The comp was a battle between the very talented Aussie riders. But even though the Aussies were ripping no one could stop Nyquist…too big, too clean and too tech. Mykel Perkins rode his ass of in typical pit-bull style to claim second and Corey Bohan who earlier in the comp looked like the only guy who could beat Ryan ended up in 3rd.
All in all X*Air was a pretty insane weekend of riding and partying or was it partying and riding? Either way the comp was a whole lot of fun and the level of riding was the best ever seen in New Zealand!
Big thanks to all the riders that made the journey down-under, it wouldn’t have been the comp it was without them.
Sony Walkman BMX Dirt:
1. Ryan Nyquist USA
2. Mykel Perkins AUS
3. Corey Bohan AUS
Haro BMX Street:
1. Ryan Nyquist USA
2. Ben Manual UK
3. Dave Osato CAN
Haro BMX Vert:
1. Jay Miron CAN
2. Zach Shaw UK
3. Eduardo Terreros SPAIN
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