Gagnon repeats as Skateboard vert men's champion
Pierre-Luc Gagnon has won multiple X Games medals, but it still doesn't exempt him from being uncertain heading into an event.
He felt the pressure mounting heading into Saturday's competition, largely because he stood on 13 medals and he wanted one more to break out of the unlucky number.
Gagnon had no trouble accomplishing that, collecting his 14th medal as he defended his title in the skateboard vert men's event.
"I was kind of trippin'," he said laughing. "I was, like, OK I can get one more. And this year was the year. So I was, like, alright I just want to get away from number 13."
Gagnon was favored to repeat as champion, although Bucky Lasek provided a sturdy challenge.
Both were tied in the unofficial scores heading into the final head, which narrowed the number of competitors from 10 to five.
Scores later, however, had Gagnon atop all competitors heading into the final heat and Lasek trailing.
Ultimately it finished in that order, with Gagnon cobbling together a 93 in two runs. He finished two points ahead of Lasek, who collected his second consecutive silver medal.
Shaun White, last year's bronze medalist, announced beforehand that he would not be competing in the X Games. Andy Macdonald filled that void, taking third-place honors.
Fans were surprised when Bob Burnquist did not qualify for the final heat. He was four points shy of a tie with Alex Perelson.
-- Mario Aguirre from Home Depot Center
