by Jim Gray

The final stop of the World Cup Skateboarding Bowl Series was in Peoria, Arizona on Oct 28th, and 29th 2006. Neither Jon Jon nor I were doing our best, and I really never practiced because they also had a death race going on in the park and that was just calling my name so I missed my practice session on the morning of the contest, and I basically sucked the whole day. Not that practice would have helped me, but that's my half baked excuse.

Death Race practice was fun. Always someone 10 feet in front of you. Made for some good slams.

Grinding My Knee on the death course when I should have been practicing skating the bowl. Photo Courtesy of Corey of Police the Police.com

But, as far as battles go, it was for king of the ABC old men, and it wasn't about the fact that I sucked and got 16th out of 19, it was about if I beat Jon Jon for overall points for the 2nd year in a row. Ouch!! Sorry Jon Jon. In 2005, it was 5th place over 6th, so where will we fall this year?

So, at the end of the day, Jon Jon got 12th in Peoria, and I got 16th, so yes he won the battle, but who won the war!!!!!

The full results are here:  http://www.wcsk8.com/2006/events/DesertDog06/masters.lasso

When all was done and said, Jon Jon beat me by a total of 150 overall points (2575 to 2425), but when they ranked by best four placings, I snuck in just under Jon Jon by 75 points (1875 to Jon's 1800). Here are the final results: http://www.wcsk8.com/2006/Mastersbowlrankings.lasso  It's Jon Jon in 13th overall, and I got 11th. We both did better in 2005 that 2006, but why? Well, a hell of a lot more people are entering now, which has made it even more fun, and just put us in our place!!! I was happier getting 11th this year than 5th last year just because the whole series was so damn fun.

So, Jon Jon won the battle, but Jim won the war, two years running--Sorry Jon Jon.

I really know Jon Jon is going to get even soon. I have my payback coming soon, and he's probalby going to start making me booby trapped boards to take me out for 2007--I'll have to watch my back.  Here are a couple pictures from the final battle.

Check out Jon Jon trying to take me out!! Damn He's a sneaky sucker!

You can see by the look on our faces that we take this stuff seriously!!

I was doing pansy tricks like this one footed tail tap. Haven't done one of those in 10 years.

Jon Jon was busting big airs on his way to win the battle

Tailslide was the best I could come up with.

Jon Jon smith grind slashing to the victory

After the old men were done. The real pro's started ripping.  Acme's Rion Linderman Miller Flip