Etnies Backyard Jam Wows Brighton
Published 26th Oct 2005 by Brightonlife Bunnyhop Dept

Last weekend?s Etnies Backyard Jam was a roaring success, entertaining over 7,500 visitors over the course of three days. 15 amatuer riders qualified for the ?expert? final on Sunday and Peter Meakin (Doncaster), took first place with a tuck no hander, 360 over the box and fufanu on the shed roof.

In between Friday?s Expert qualifying rounds, a world record attempt was made in the Snickers World Highest Bunny Hop contest. International stars and favourites such as UK?s own Bas Keep from Hastings, Matt Beringer (US), Owain Clegg, Corey Martinez (US) and Seth Kimborough (US) took on the challenge, with three attempts allowed at each height per competitor. Starting at 92.5 centimetres a number of riders went out in the first two rounds. After the third round at 100 centimetres only two riders were left for a head to head battle. Newcomer to the game Luke Towey from Basingstoke impressed in the early rounds as he soared 5-10 centimetres over the bar, but was closely followed by Seth Kimborough from Alabama, US. Both cleared 107.5 centimetres and the bar was raised to 110. In a close bout where Luke missed all his three attempts, it was Seth that had the strength and bunny hopped the bar at the final world record height on a BMX, of 44 inches.

Sunday was electric. Over 3,000 people turned out for the final day of the competition, whooping and cheering the riders as they performed some outstanding tricks in what would turn out to be one of the most memorable BMX events ever. Defending title holder Gary Young from San Diego US has only been competing professionally for the last four years. Known to be a fast rider with smooth back to back tricks, Gary brought down the house and clinched the first place plus a cheque of $12,000 when he nailed a huge transfer over the gap to the unusual curved wall-ride to a tail whip out.

The UK?s own Ben Hennon from Durham proved a fearless competitor, taking third place in this year?s event. Only 19, Ben is a home-grown pro that has progressed with the Backyard Jam since he entered as an Expert over four years ago. The highlight of Ben?s session was the two signature flip whips he performed; one over the box jump and then an incredible variation on the step up obstacle, basically doing a backflip with simultaneous tail whip. Ben also nailed a barspin 360 to tail whip, which he is the only rider to ever perform, where he rotates 360 whilst spinning the handle bars to tail whip his bike just before landing.

Following the finals was the Etnies Highest Air and Snickers Best Trick contests, each giving $3,000 prize money to the winner. The audience were treated to some of the best action ever seen, with tricks including one of few and a complete first. Starting with the Etnies Highest air, the names Morgan Wade, Bas Keep, Chris Doyle and Mike Aitken stood out. Equalling first place, both Morgan Wade and Bas Keep shot 24 foot into the air above ground level, to boast a highest air result of 14 foot on the measuring stick, something only a handful of BMXers have ever done.

In the Snickers Best Trick, Dave Osato from Canada, who won the Jam in 2003 is a distinctive and commanding presence and demonstrated an entirely unique trick. On the most daunting and difficult obstacle on the course, he made a few attempts before riding full pelt towards the vert wall, rising up over to toothpick on the top of the wall, a good 20 foot above ground level and no more than an inch and a half thick, to hold the front peg stall before dropping back onto the wall and riding cleanly away. Everyone looked flabbergasted, including fellow competitors.

4239 Views