IGSA Sudamericano: The Snake Skeleton

Last weekend we had the much anticipated IGSA competition in Argentina. The first IGSA that took place in our country, back in the province of San Luis.  The road, better known as the “Snake Skeleton”, is a very technical circuit full of hairpins and turns.

Competitors came from everywhere in Argentina. Many Brazilians came to “fight” for the big prize and have fun on the beautiful Snake. Also people from Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay came… and pro skaters known by everyone like Dillon Stephens, James Kelly, Yvon and more…   With around 250 competitors, the races began and the course took some riders out, because of the turns, the wind, and the speed.  Friday was a day just to try the course and have fun, a sunny and hot day that got everyone excited, motivated, and prepared for day 2 and day 3.  When we woke up on Saturday we saw those horrible clouds making their invasion everywhere and bringing some soft rain, with a lot of wind everywhere.  Some of the turns made the wind come from behind… but some… from the front or sideways… which turned out to be tricky and difficult for stability.

 I remember taking pics at the top of the Snake and I saw this grom pushing and pushing and wind not letting him even go foward!

That stormy day, made thing a little bit complicated and maybe unfair because some competitors were helped by the wind and some not…Also to be taking pics was the worst because it was really cold and wet.

Sunday finally surprised everyone with sun! We were expecting more storm but the finals got their sun and people came to see the event and cheer everyone.

There’s not much to say, it’s been a fun weekend with my roomies in San Luis, Bekka “Bekks” and Ani!

Thanks a lot to Argentina Longboard (Claudia and Francisco) for the organization and keeping us safe in a beautiful little house.  “Danky” Dean Ovalhe from Brazil was the one that got the number one place this time. Second place for my favorite Alex Tongue, and third for another Brazilian, Thiago Gomes Lessa.   And the girls, the number one was Georgia Bontorin (Brazil), second was my roomie Rebekka Gempler and my good friend Christie Aleixo, also from Brazil, in third.

And some photos from Marisa Nunez:

Peru’s top rider, Felipe Malaga, holds his flag high and proud. Despite his hard crash in the semis, he keeps up his good spirit and stoke for the sport and his country.

I think everyone agrees that the road lives up to it’s name.

15 year old Georgia Bontorin of Brazil (blue and white suit) skated her heart out all weekend. She made it to the finals and battled it out with top rider Rebekka, until she made a final pass right before the finish line. It was amazing to watch these ladies from the sidelines. With not an ounce of fear in them, they skated harder than some of the guys.

Brazilian grommies were killing it too! Rayne team rider, Lucas Rocha kills the competition in his Junior I category with style and ease.

The Junior’s final heat was tight. Gustavo Paredes of Peru is leading the pack in this picture, but at the last turn, passes were made. Gustavo finished 3rd, Jonas Ritcher came 2nd and Willian Rubin took the win for the Junior II category.

The open finals were squeezy tight. Max Gradlmiller of Canada, Nikolas Desmarais of Canada, Dillon Stephens of Canada, Alex Tongue of United States, Thiago Lessa of Brazil, and Danky Ovalhe of Brazil battle it out, with a lot of passing and elbow contact from start to finish. Thiago finished 3rd, Alex finished 2nd and Danky took the win in this intense final heat of the open class. Congrats to all of them.