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The first place paycheck
increased from $6,000 to $10,000 this year, and the riders definitely
earned the extra cash considering the difficulty of the setup. All competitors
agreed that this year’s rail jam was the most daunting and challenging
course they’ve ever experienced. The setup replicated seven different
urban rail and stair features and included a gap rail inspired by Shaun's
New Zealand session from his movie the White Album. Many riders, including
Zach Leach were super stoked on the course because it was very similar
to actual rails and stairs they session in the city. Both Eddie and Leanne took a beating during the session but came out on top. Eddie impressed the judges and the crowd by hitting nearly every rail feature and nailing different tricks throughout the hour-long jam, including a tail press to backside 180 out on the down-flat ledge and a 270 on to the 30-foot down ledge to 270 off. “I’m really happy to win a US Open title for the first time," said Eddie. “It means a lot to me, especially because I’m from the East Coast.” As for the ladies, Marie-France Roy was in the lead for most of the jam. But reigning rail jam champion Leanne Pelosi didn’t give up, despite taking a few falls. After struggling through the first half of the rail jam, Leanne pulled off a variety of tricks on most of the different rail features, ending her night with a smooth boardslide to frontside boardslide on the flat-down gap box.
After the awards ceremony, the crowd was treated to a surprise performance by highly respected hip-hop artist Talib Kweli. WOMEN’S RAIL
JAM 1st – Leanne
Pelosi - $10,000 MEN’S RAIL JAM 1st – Eddie
Wall - $10,000
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Vermonter
and crowd favorite Chris Rotax and top women’s rail rider Alexis
Waite went home happy, winning the sought after $2,500 SoBe Sick Trick
Award. Chris earned the award for the second year in a row and stoked
out the crowd with a backside 450 on the flat-down ledge. Alexis' 5-0
on the down ledge scored her the best trick title.