This past weekend I spent my days underneath the scalding Phoenix sun as I watched skaters extrude the heat & battle board to board, all in hopes to conquer the PHXAM.
The PHXAM is one of the biggest AM contests in the country & includes riders from all around the world. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the contest with over 200 riders competing for a $3,000 cash prize. Following the finals, riders also have the chance to compete in the Red Bull best trick which puts an additional $2,500 cash prize on the table.
Last year, Jack Olson took home 1st place as Jamie Foy followed in 2nd & Ivan Monteiro in 3rd. Unfortunately Jack did not compete in this year’s PHXAM but both Jamie & Ivan returned.
Another name to lookout for is Dashawn Jordan who overall placed 9th in last year’s PHXAM but was able to snag Red Bull’s best trick with a laser flip to flat. He has had quite the history in the AM circuit & even managed to conquer LA’s Lincoln Park for the 2015 Damn Am in which he took 1st place.
The first day of the PHXAM is the qualifiers. There were 55 different heats of 3 minute jams that included 4 different riders. Out of 200+ riders, only the top 39 of the day would be moved on to the semi-finals. The number one rider of the qualifiers went to Dashawn Jordan who was awarded the golden ticket that allowed him to advance straight to the finals the next day. Two of my personal favorite runs of the day belonged to Angel Ortega & Fabian Herrera, who made it to the semi-finals but did not advance to the final dozen.
The second day included more jams that would determine the top 11 who would join Dashawn Jordan in the finals. For the finals, each rider was given three individual one minute runs. Riders that advanced to finals included:
DASHAWN JORDAN.
Chandler, AZ.
Sovrn Skateboards, Nike SB, KR3W, Spitfire, Diamond Supply Co., Bones Swiss, Grizzly Grip, Royal Trucks, Glassy, Treats Wax, Cowtown.
BRYANT CHAPO.
Albuquerque, NM.
ATM Skateboards, Silver Trucks, FKD, Stelth Headwear, 628 Skateboarding, Skate City Supply, Sosa Griptape, Sushi Wheels, Pakitu.
ZION WRIGHT.
Jupiter, FL.
Nike SB (flow), Real, LRG, Thunder, Spitfire, SPOT, Bones Swiss Bearings, Mob Grip (flow).
JAGGER EATON.
Mesa, AZ.
DC, Plan B, Bones, Independent, Red Bull, KTR.
JAMIE FOY.
Deerfield Beach, FL.
Nike SB, Hurley, Bones Swiss, Stance, Island Water Sports, Spitfire (flow), Thunder (flow), Deathwish (flow).
ALEX MIDLER.
Calabasas, CA.
Thunder Trucks, Spitfire, Nike SB, Volcom, ValSurf, Skatelab, Bones Swiss Bearings, Red Bull, GoPro, Sovrn.
YOSHI TANENBAUM.
Silver Spring, MD.
Nike SB, Palace 5ive, Stereo Skateboards, FKD, Silver, Bones, Mob.
IVAN MONTEIRO.
San Paulo, Brazil.
Freedomfog, Monk, Footprint Insoles, Diamond Supply Co, Star Point Skate Shop, Grizzly Grip, Milk Wheels, Iron Shape.
JOSH BALDWIN.
Las Vegas, NV.
Cliché, Silver, FKD, Satori, Globe, Pharmacy.
COREY MILLET.
St. Paul, MN.
Sk8mafia, eS Footwear, Imperial Motion, 3rd Lair Skateshop, Spitfire (flow), Thunder (flow), Shakejunt, Deeznuts Hardware Co., Remind Insoles.
ENZO CAUTELA.
Las Vegas, NV.
Pharmacy, enjoi, Bones, KR3W, Supra, Ashbury, Krux.
AXEL CRUYSBERGHS.
Poperinge, Belgium.
Toy Machine, Independent Trucks, Volcom Europe, New Balance, Red Bull, SBQ, Skull Candy, Spitfire.
The finals were so intense & nonstop entertaining. I really respect these riders for all their effort & staying consistent to the end, especially in the burning heat.
RESULTS
1st Place & $3,000 cash prize, Zion Wright (middle)
2nd place & $2,000 cash prize, Yoshi Tanenbaum (left)
3rd Place & $1,000 cash prize, Dashawn Jordan (right)
Best trick & $2,500 went to Josh Baldwin who nailed a switch inward heel.
Congrats to all the winners & great job to everyone who participated. Also, congrats to Robbie Brockel who was surprised & deemed pro by REAL Skateboards!
And a personal thank you to Austin Urlocker for melting in the sun with me all weekend as he filmed the contest & edited the footage.
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COWTOWN: Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
PHXAM: Website
AUSTIN URLOCKER: Instagram | YouTube
FEATURED IMAGE & HEADSHOTS COURTESY OF COWTOWN.