From one generation to the next, a tribute to Roller Freestyle
The sun is slowly setting over Montpellier, but the day is far from over, with the Roller Freestyle Park Men finals shaping up to be very exciting after yesterday afternoon's high-flying semi-finals. Two 50-second runs to perform, and the best of the two to set the final score for each of the twelve qualified competitors. A great line-up, a great atmosphere, and finals that lived up to all their promises!
First of all, a tribute to youth and the new generation that is emerging all over the world. The finals included Kim Youngwoong (8th), representing South Korea at just 15 years of age, and the young Japanese prodigy Haruhi Shimizu, who at just 13 years of age finished in 9th place, a testament to the work and coaching of his great mentor, the legend of vert Takeshi Yasutoko.
Also, a tribute to the second youth of this first generation of riders, with Takeshi narrowly missing out on the podium, for example, but also the Frenchmen Anthony Avella (11th) and Romain Godenaire (6th), former FISE winners, now in their forties or thereabouts, and still riding hard because the competitive spirit doesn't wane with age.
And another tribute to the fiery spirit of Lenny Jourda, the local of these finals who grew up with FISE, and that of Danilo Senna, who represents a new, burgeoning Brazilian scene. Both 18 years old, they finished in 3rd and 2nd place respectively, with absolutely incredible runs, an arsenal of tricks that redefine the limits of this sport, and scores that were also incredibly close to overtaking their eldest.
But finally, let's pay tribute to Julien Cudot, multi-medalist at FISE and pretty much everywhere else, who continues to push his skating ever further, higher and harder. After winning a very committed rail contest on the banks of the Lez earlier in the afternoon, he then went on to win the finals at this Freestyle Park with a masterful run and a near-perfect score of 94.25 points.
How much longer will he be able to withstand the onslaught of this crazy youth? Since he's asking the question himself, we're sure we'll have the answer soon: join us again tomorrow for the Roller Freestyle finals on the Spine!
