Skateboarding
How the CPH Open 2017 set streets on fire
After the biggest-ever turnout is recorded, where can 'skateboarding's Woodstock' go from here?
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5 min
Streets On Fire: this was the CPH Open 2017
After the biggest-ever turnout is recorded, where can 'skateboarding's Woodstock' go from here?
You can’t say they do things by half-measures in Denmark.
From relatively humble beginnings, the CPH Open – which began life as a nominally ‘pro’ contest before throwing open the format – is now unquestionably skateboarding’s summer blockbuster event for international skateboard culture.
This year, the repeat successes of Simon Weyhe and his band of organisers in working closely with the civic authorities to turn this into a city-wide event potentially reached critical mass. Not a bad thing, to be sure – the more skaters there are out there enjoying skating, the better.
Certainly, the Faelledparken Pro Bowl contest won by Alex Sorgente was toes-on-the-coping standing-room-only, and the Pro Street contest had roadblock queues to enter. The weather played its cards overnight early in the weekend, which probably encouraged so many of the breakout sessions dotted around the city including some hectic late-night slams. All fun and games!
Yuri Facchini, kickflip shifty
© David Chvatal
Kevin Bradley, frontside ollie to Fakie 50-50
© David Chvatal
Dario Mattarollo, Smithgrind
© David Chvatal
Master of ceremonies Ryan Clements
© David Chvatal
TJ Rogers didn’t let the rain stop him from putting on an impromptu one-man demo at the triangle spot, throwing down a back 5-0 Bigspin Heelflip out on a soaked board and wet ground, and when eventually the skies cleared there were barrel jumps, death races, flat gap best tricks and all other sorts of irresponsible antics to keep the skating multitudes stoked while the steam rose.
A colossal undertaking, the most ambitious project in worldwide skateboarding by some distance, and a real reflection on the fabulous people of Copenhagen.
Whatever the future holds, let’s salute that right there!
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