A.J. Haiby Wins the U.S. Nationals
A.J. Haiby on his way to winning the U.S. Nationals.
Photo Marcus Rietema
San Dimas, CA, USA -Rising star A.J. Haiby earned the first big victory of his career today when he won the Open Downhill Skateboarding race at the U.S. Nationals. Haiby beat Riley Crone, Kyle Wester and Mischo Erban in a tough final round match up. Crone put in a magnificent pass on Kyle Wester at the exit of Nersh Corner to earn second place. Kyle Wester was third and Mischo Erban finished fourth.
Number one qualifier Micah Green crashed while exiting Nersh Corner in the second round and was eliminated. 2009 winner Zak Maytum also crashed exiting Nersh corner in the second round. He was uninjured in the crash and preparing to continue when another rider came in crashing directly into his ankle. Maytum was in a great deal of pain but fortunately didn't sustain any serious injuries. He came back later in the day to compete in the street luge race. Tim Del Rosario-Rojas won the consolation Final to earn fifth. Mike Snyder finished sixth, Keith Henderson seventh and Jimmy Riha was eighth. Mischo Erban's fourth place finish enabled him to win the inaugural IGSA NorAm Downhill Series Championship.
IGSA U.S. Nationals
Open Downhill Skateboarding
Top Ten Finishers
1. A.J. Haiby, USA
2. Riley Crone, USA
3. Kyle Wester, USA
4. Mischo Erban, CAN
5. Tim Del Rosario-Rojas, USA
6. Mike Snyder, USA
7. Keith Henderson, USA
8. Jimmy Riha, USA
9. Austin Nicassio, USA
10. Max Capps, USA
Open Downhill Skateboarding
Top Ten Finishers
1. A.J. Haiby, USA
2. Riley Crone, USA
3. Kyle Wester, USA
4. Mischo Erban, CAN
5. Tim Del Rosario-Rojas, USA
6. Mike Snyder, USA
7. Keith Henderson, USA
8. Jimmy Riha, USA
9. Austin Nicassio, USA
10. Max Capps, USA
Conaway Wins In Street Luge
Christian Conaway stands atop the Street Luge podium flanked by McIntyre, Parks and Capps.
Photo IGSA
Christian Conaway rode to a convincing victory in the U.S. Nationals Street Luge final. NorAm points leader William Condon crashed in the semi-finals opening the door for Kolby Parks to earn the Championship. With Condon unable to finish any higher than fifth, Parks needed to finish first or second to win the Championship. Going through Nersh Corner in the final, Parks sat in second place behind Conaway. He seemed to be riding conservatively content with second but this enabled Mike McIntyre to get a huge run on Parks. At the exit of the corner McIntyre shot past parks to finish second and destroy Parks NorAm Championship title dream. Downhill Skateboarder Max Capps making his first ever Street Luge start rode an impressive race earning a birth in the finals and finishing fourth.
IGSA U.S. Nationals
Street Luge
Top Eight Finishers
1. Christian Conaway, USA
2. Mike McIntrye, USA
3. Kolby Parks, CAN
4. Max Capps, USA
5. William Condon, CAN
6. Dylan Wall, CAN
7. Zak Maytum, USA
8. Benjamin Zehner, USA
IGSA U.S. Nationals
Street Luge
Top Eight Finishers
1. Christian Conaway, USA
2. Mike McIntrye, USA
3. Kolby Parks, CAN
4. Max Capps, USA
5. William Condon, CAN
6. Dylan Wall, CAN
7. Zak Maytum, USA
8. Benjamin Zehner, USA