“I won in Minneapolis a few months ago and then had to miss the Chicago competition due to prior obligations. I even had to juggle this contest around the X Games, but it’s worth it, “ Said Guettler. “People were telling me to pull out of the Triples since I had qualified for the X Games Finals, but I refused. Every time I’ve competed in the Triples I’ve placed first. (Guettler also took top honors in the Round One prelims on Wednesday.) It’s almost like it’s my contest; like I’m the man to beat and I wanted to be here and win it.”
Joining Guettler on the podium in second place was fellow Australian Andy Buckworth the 18 year-old from Lake Haven, Australia who seemed a little in awe of the other riders and more impressed by competing alongside them than he was with his success. “Guettler has been my idol since I was in the 6th grade. To come to this contest and take second behind him is great!” Buckworth told FUEL TV’s Weekly Update. “And Triples course is awesome. It’s basically a dirt jump made of wood – way more consistent and fun.”
Rounding out the top three finishers was Brandon Dosch of Lake Orion, Mich.
Glaringly absent from the winner’s circle was T.J. Ellis (Moreno Valley, Calif.) who has made the podium in the last five events in which he’s competed. While Ellis bested Koji Kraft (Addison, Ill.) in tonight’s quarterfinals with big tricks and smooth execution, Dosch upset the big air specialist by laying down an impressive first run of a triple whip, 360 triple whip to a double whip off the quarter pipe. After losing control in his first run against Dosch, Ellis felt pressured to go big in his second run and threw a double back flip off the second jump. His landing was less than the perfection he needed to advance as his foot became wedged under the pedal and tire during the landing and he twisted his ankle. This opened the way for Dosch into the final three.
The Big Air BMX Triples was streamed live via BFD.com, the video- centric, social networking web site that carries all the latest event highlights, photos, behind-the scenes footage and interviews of the ASA Action Sports World Tour and the action sports industry in general. A replay of the webcast can be seen by visiting bfd.com.