July 19 - 21 Barcelona, Spain

We present to you the facts: First, there are more bars per capita in Spain than any other European city. Second, restaurants open for dinner at 10 pm and clubs don't open until 1 in the morning. Finally, Barcelona is located on the coast of Spain where three miles of topless beaches are always packed with Spaniards on their siesta. So you tell us... was it some kind of accident that the European X Games Qualifier was being held in Barcelona?

Not a bad view from the half pipe, eh?

The competition was set up in the Olympic Village right next to the five-star Arts Hotel. From the top of the vert ramp, we could see the Olympic Port night clubs, a string of unchecked debauchery that coaxed us every night to drink and dance until the sun rose. Between practice sessions, we sipped sangria on the topless beaches, toasting our good fortunes and shouting the praises of the greatest sport in the world. Prostitutes in T-backs tried to edge into our fun and we offered them tapas, toyed with them until the next event began and we had to scurry back across the sand to our masonite temple on the beach.

This was the European qualifier where only the top European skaters were allowed to compete. That meant Samo Bajec of Slovenia and the Lallemand brothers from France. Beni Huber and Gustavo Monsalve. There was no dip in the talent pool here. The practice sessions alone brought standing ovations from the crowd. Watching this competition, it occurred to me that rollerblading is fortunate to have such an international presence. Over the years, we've developed a global network of powerful, passionate athletes. While the European amateur bikers and skateboarders sputtered around the Spanish ramps, tripping over the obstacles, rollerbladers soared to new highs. We watched with pride the way our athletes commanded the respect of the audience.

Beni Huber goes huge over the launch box.

Wilfried Rossignol, who walked away from a certain qualification the week before in Rome, took first place on street by unanimous vote. His transfers and grinds brought the audience to their feet and will bring Wilfried to Philadelphia in August. Sven Boekhorst battled Albert Hooi for second place, but in the end, it was the luck of the Irish that brought Hooi the silver medal. Honorable mention, too, goes out to Beni Huber, who redefines style on street and on vert.

Taïg Khris was indomitable on vert, finishing a full ten points above local favorite, Nel Martín. A Spanish cheering section chanted fight songs for every Spaniard that stepped up to the coping and the rest of the audience followed. Finishing fourth was Sven Boekhorst who qualified for a chance to compete vert at the X Games.

Spanish amateurs Borja Fernandez and Jose Felix skated to 3rd place in vert doubles.

During the vert doubles competition, the Lallemand brothers showed a surprising proficiency at vert skating. French nationals, Gustavo Monsalve and Joachim Centi did a choreographed routine that was almost perfect, but in the end, it was the team of Sven Boekhorst and Nel Martín that won the contest.

Every night, the audience would gather around the vert ramp and sip Spanish wine to watch Taïg Khris perform vert stunts. There were other athletes on the ramp as well: a couple of skateboarders and a couple of bike riders, but it was Taïg who really wrested the attention of the audience. As the sun dropped into the Mediterranean, Spanish cheers could be heard along the waterline as Taïg pushed his alley oop mctwists and gato spins to higher limits.

ASA pro rookie Dominic Beck locks onto the rail during street prelims.