Jamie Bestwick Doubles gold total with BMX Vert Best Trick victory
LOS ANGELES - It's hard to believe a BMX Vert Best Trick competition had not been held at the X Games prior to Saturday night. After what went down at STAPLES Center, it's safe to say it will be a part of X Games for years to come.
Every run was bigger and better than the previous one and it seemed like a year's worth of progression was squeezed into the 30-minute jam session. And when all was said and done, it was
Jamie Bestwick (State College, Pa.) that walked away with the gold medal after sticking the first-ever Flair Double Tailwhip. It was his second gold medal in three nights - he won BMX Freestyle Vert Thursday.
"I did the trick a week ago on the resi ramp," said Bestwick.
"I kept it on the (down low) so everyone wouldn't catch on. I didn't think I would do it that good. It's a pretty wild trick. I had some other stuff I wanted to do, but I wanted to walk away from this one."
That must have been on
Dave Mirra's mind as well, especially following Thursday night's slam. But the Miracle Boy put it behind him and picked up a silver medal with a Flair Tailwhip. It was his 20th career medal and second medal of the day - he won BMX Freestyle Park just hours earlier.
"I rode street earlier and I was not sure I was going to (compete)," said Mirra (Greenville, N.C.).
"But I just wanted to come in a try the trick."
It was another stellar outing for
Chad Kagy (State College, Pa.). Just two days after claiming sliver in BMX Freestyle Vert, the Camp Woodward veteran nailed a Flatspin 540 Tailwhip over the channel for Bronze - the first time in his career he has medaled more than once in the same X Games.
"I knew I had a good trick," Kagy said.
"I saw Jamie do (his trick) before and I knew that I had to do it to get on the podium."
One his final run Kagy went for the elusive Triple Tailwhip and went down hard, but was able to walk off under his own power.
"I don't remember how I landed on the triple so I'll have to check the tape," said Kagy.
"After breaking my neck (a year-and-a-half ago) it was a stupid thing to come up with that trick."
Kevin Robinson (State College, Pa.) attempted the Double Flair numerous times, but was unable to land the trick.
Final Results from STAPLES Center on August 6, 2005
1. Jamie Bestwick, State College, Pa.
2. Dave Mirra, Greenville, N.C.
3. Chad Kagy, State College, Pa.
4. Jay Miron, Vancouver, BC Canada
5. Koji Kraft, Addison, Ill.
6. Tim Wood, Brisbane, Australia
7. Dennis McCoy, Kansas City, Mo.
8. Kevin Robinson, State College, Pa.
P.R. and photos by ESPN / Shazamm