Decenzo second and PLG makes it three in a row on the vert. 

(Kimberley, South Africa, 30 September 2012)  Brazilian Luan Oliveira went head to head in an epic battle against Canadian Ryan Decenzo in the final jam to win the street world championship title and $100 000 at the 2012 Maloof Money Cup South Africa presented by Kumba Iron Ore.

Oliveira edged out Decenzo with a sizzling display of tricks including a switch big heel, 360 flip and a switch frontside flip, which had the jam-packed crowd roaring with approval.  Decenzo took out the charismatic Manny Santiago, who was a huge crowd favourite, with a 270 backside lipslide, nollie heel and a switch 270 to front board.

Canadian vert skater Pierre Luc Gagnon aka PLG showed incomparable form on the vert course today with nollie heel 540’s and a varial heel 540. After the scores of the mini mega and vert contests were combined, PLG took the title of 2012 Maloof vert champion for the third consecutive year and picked up a cheque for US$75000 after a tightly contested battle with Brazilian Bob Burnquist and American Andy Macdonald.

The South African amateur skaters came out fighting for the finals of the amateur championships with Kanya Spani of Johannesburg finally winning the title and the R8000 prize money.  Spani killed the competition with an amazing run on the second section, including a 180 to fakie 5-0 and 180 out on the bank to ledge.  Capetonian Simon Stipcich finished second after a spectacular switch tre-flip lipside on the A-frame rail with Durbanite Braxton Hane in third place.  Justus Kotze and Jean-Marc Johannes both from Cape Town completed the top five line-up.

For the second year in a row, the greatest skateboarding event in the world filled Kimberley to capacity.  Accommodation facilities were totally sold out, while shopping centres and restaurants were filled to capacity for the past week.  Flights into Kimberley from Cape Town and Johannesburg were booked out for several days.

At a media briefing earlier today, Tim McFerran from Maloof Skateboarding commended the Northern Cape provincial government for their continued support and hospitality.  “The passion of the people of the Northern Cape for this event and skateboarding as a sport has ensured that it becomes a year-round happening in the province instead of an once-off event.  The event will be screened nationwide in 800 theatres throughout the States on Tuesday with further broadcasts to 200 countries, which will firmly focus the attention of a huge global media audience on Kimberley and the Northern Cape.  This competition has definitely seen the best skateboarding in the world and we can’t wait to return to South Africa next year,” stated McFerran.

McFerran also thanked the hundreds of well-wishers, who expressed their concern for injured vert skater Danny Mayer.  Mayer sustained lacerations to the head and sustained a concussion after a bad fall on the mini mega ramp and was hospitalised overnight at a local hospital.  He was released earlier today in time to cheer on his fellow vert skaters in the final.

For more information about the Maloof Money Cup South Africa, go to www. maloofmoneycup.com.   Watch the LIVE webcast of the Maloof Money Cup World Skateboarding Championships on the official Maloof Money Cup YouTube channel on the following dates/times:

Saturday, Sept. 29: 12:45 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. EDT/ 9:45 p.m. - 3:30 a.m. Pacific

Sunday, Sept. 30: 2:45 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. EDT/ 11:45 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. Pacific

ENDS

 

Issued by                                                                             PERIDOT COMMUNICATIONS

On behalf of                                                                       2012 Maloof Money Cup South Africa

For media enquiries, please contact Ronelda Visser on 0832733984.