Oops, etnies’ Fredrik Austbo Did It Again!
by: Mike Matz | Tuesday, May 25, 2004
etnies European Open 2004
May 21-23, 2004
Linkping, Sweden
Over 100 of Europes leading professional skateboarders headed North to Sweden for the first etnies European Open this year. Equipped with an ideal concrete skatepark, beautiful Link撶ping was a generous host for the first stop of the series. Take a look! www.funskatepark.org
Street Pre-Qualification went down on Friday, with more than 80 skateboarders competing. Abdulla AlmightyӔ Nyberg, a local twelve year-old kid, killed the course with an unbelievable run full of Indys, crail blunt slides and tail grabs--all for19th place.
Qualification continued on Saturday with well-known names like Rodney Clarke, Hugo Liard, Jean-Marc Soulet and European Champion Dominik Dietrich. Of the 80 skateboarders competing in the Qualification, four went straight to the Finals. This time, it was Tomas Vintr from the Czech Republic, Chris Pfanner from Austria, Fredrik Austbo from Norway and Chris Astrm from Sweden. In the Semi-Finals on Sunday, all of the others got a chance to advance to the Finals.
Swedish Summers are very unpredictable, so the Best Trick comp was held on Saturday. Everybody gathered around the rail until the winner, Conhuir Lynn from Ireland, took it with a switch 360 flip down the stairs.
Saturday night was party time for the etnies European Open crowd. One Off Distribution organized a party in the Platens Club downtown, where everybody showed up and danced until the lights when on.
Sunday's weather forecast did not look too good, but it fortunately only rained in the morning and stopped in time for the Semi-Finals. Luckily, thanks to its smooth surface, the Fun Skatepark dried in seconds. Twelve brave men made their way into the Finals. Chris Astrm from Nork涶ping, Sweden offered 360 flips and backside tailslides for third place. It was a tough decision for first between Jean Marc Soulet, who did remarkable backside lipslides, and Fredrik Austbo, who eventually claimed first with tricks like frontside 360s and crook lipslides.
Thee etnies European Open in Linkping was a great success. Thanks to everyone who showed up. See you at the next etnies European Open in Munich, Germany on June 11-13.
Final Results
1. Fredrik Austbo--Stavanger, Norway (etnies)
2. Jean Marc Soulet--Karlshamn, Sweden
3. Chris Astrom--Norrkoping, Sweden (etnies)
4. Tomas Vintr--Beroun, Czech Republic
5. Raphael Brunis--Biarritz, France
6. Andy Welther--Reutlingen, Germany
7. Robinson Kuhlmann--Munchen, Germany (etnies)
8. Jo Lorenz--Schopfhum, Germany
9. Willy Simon--Eyguieres, France (etnies)
10. Chris Pfanner--Kennelbach, Austria
11. Martin Gustafsson--Vetlanda, Sweden
12. Tim Zom--Rotterdam, Holland
etnies Skate Team Report 05-24-04
by: Mike Matz | Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Well, it has been a hectic past couple of months for the etnies team. Theyve been on trips all over the place! But, for the most part, theyҒre all back at home before venturing out to various places on yet more trips.
Arto Saari, Bastien Salabanzi, Stefan Janoski, Ryan Sheckler and Rune Glifberg were all on the etnies Australia / New Zealand Tour before heading out all over the place. Arto, Bastien and Stefan headed out to China with Quiksilver for close to three weeks, returning Stateside on May 7. Sheckler headed back home to Southern California before leaving to Slam City Jam a few days later, where he placed 3rd! Rune was on a mission back to Copenhagen before making the trek out to Vancouver for Slam City Jam, as well. Now theres a mission: Copenhagen to Australia to New Zealand to Copenhagen to Vancouver and back to Copenhagen! Damn, son!
Since returning from all the traveling, here is the latest:
Stefan returned home and started his mission to finish up his part in the new TransWorld video, entitled Subtleties. The part is finished, and the vid premieres this Wednesday night at the TransWorld Awards up in Los Angeles.
If you were lucky enough to be at Volcom on Friday night, you got a chance to view Sheckler in their new vid, Chichagof. As has previously been reported, he had a part in Digital, then the Volcom vid, and now heҒs hard at work on the Almost video. This is one busy kid kid! On Wednesday night, Sheckler will be up at the TransWorld Awards, where he will receive a trophy for winning the World Cup of Skateboarding Overall Street title in 2003. I cant wait to see the little man up there making an acceptance speech!
Rune has been riding the skateparks in his hometown of Copenhagen, Denmark. ItҒs been a busy couple of months for him with the hectic travel schedule, so hell be enjoying some time at home before heading out to all the Europe contests this Summer. Rune also had a part in the Volcom video that premiered last Friday night. Buy a copy and check out the amazing tranny skills of Mr. Glifberg! On Wednesday night, Rune might receive the award for Vert Skater of the Year up at the TransWorld Awards. What do you think?
Arto and Bastien have both been back in Huntington Beach since returning from China. Bastien has been nursing a bad foot back to health and spending his time with a new acoustic guitar he recently purchased. Arto also recently acquired an acoustic and has been jamminҒ with Bastien a little here and there. The new issue of Skateboarder should be in your local shops by now, or at least in a few days. You gotta get your hands on this beast, as Bastien has an interview in it, which is amazing to say the least. So, thats an interview in both Thrasher and Skateboarder in the past six months or so. Which mag is next? Arto and Bastien also have some stakes at the TransWorld Awards on Wednesday night, as Flip Skateboards is up for Team of the Year.
Are you one of the lucky ones to get your feet in a pair of the etnies Arto yet? If the answer is yes, you know what IҒm talking about. If the answer is no, well, these beasts will be everywhere soon. March, April and May saw a limited release of the Arto in the U.S. only, but in June, it will be much easier for you to get your hands on some everywhere, worldwide! Not only that, but a couple of new colorways have been added for the upcoming season, which were featured in a couple of Artos latest ads. Have you seen Ғem yet?
etnies Plus Collection Party!
by: Mike Matz | Friday, May 21, 2004
etnies completely rocked the Tardis Studios in London last week for the exclusive launch of their limited-edition Fall 2004 Plus Collection footwear line. Over 400 guests partied amongst the latest designs from etnies, which also featured shoe collaborations with top musicians and artists.
The monster party went on until the wee hours, with Bacardi cocktails, popcorn and Krispy Kreme doughnuts galore. The place was jammed with the coolest crowd, including pro UK skaters, DJs from all over, retailers and press. Even the President and CEO of etnies, Pierre-Andre Senizergues, couldnt keep himself away. A wide array of press helped rock the party, including Dazed & Confused, Front, Knowledge, Source, X-Ray, Blues & Soul, The Guardian, Document Skate, and websites including wgsn.com and mykindaplace.com. It was a top blend for a great night.
The amazingly talented artists and musicans, including Estelle, Adam Freeland / Marine Parade and Mark Rae / Grand Central Records, who have joined forces with etnies to design and produce their very own limited-edition shoes saw their work previewed for the first time and received very positive feedback!
EstҒelle is a talented hip-hop artist who has won the Best Female Artist award for the last three years at the UK Hip-Hop Awards, and was nominated with Blak Twang for a Mobo award. Adam Freeland, one of the UKs top DJs, owns the Marine Parade record label, which is home to Ils and Evil Nine. Adam also has a residency at Fabric club in London. Grand Central Records is a Manchester-based record label run by Mark Rae, whose second album will be released in September and features a mix of hip-hop, soul vocals and dance beats.
The soundtrack to the evening was buzzing. Live rap was provided courtesy of EstҒelle and her crew, and Grand Central DJs featuring Veba provided the funk. Skate videos and Deanna Templetons Family Album series of etnies employee photos filled the walls, while the Plus Collection sneakers hung from the ceiling. All in all, it was a splendid night to behold.
For further information, contact: Alison 020 7404 8264 or alison@radiatorpr.com
First-Ever Go Skateboarding Day!
by: Mike Matz | Tuesday, May 18, 2004
The International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) and its member companies announce the world's first annual Go Skateboarding Day. GSD is a special time for anyone and everyone to take a break from everything, get together with family and friends and go skateboarding!
Go Skateboarding Day is coming up on June 21, which just happens to be the first day of Summer in North America. IASC hopes to see this annual event grow into an international holiday. Just imagine the grind heard around the world every June!
Spread the word! The first-ever Go Skateboarding Day is upon us!
IASC Presents:
Go Skateboarding Day
June 21, 2004
Everywhere
All Ten Arto Contest Winners Posted!
by: Mike Matz | Monday, May 3, 2004
Announcing all ten winners of the contest for a free pair of etnies Arto
shoes...before they even hit the stores! All ten winners are now posted RIGHT HERE
on the etnies website. Skip the intro or wait until all of the blinking squares disappear, click on Winners, then check out any of the ten that you want to. Have fun! Thanks to everyone for entering and congrats to all of the winners!
Ryan Sheckler Takes Third At Slam City
by: Mike Matz | Monday, May 3, 2004
Over the weekend, etnies' skateboarding phenom Ryan Sheckler finished third at one of skateboarding's finest contests, the Slam City Jam in Vancouver, BC.
Skateboarding contests have never been quite the same since Ryan Sheckler turned pro last year. Only fourteen years old and as consistent as the days of the week, Ryan has continually found his way into the elite rankings of every major skateboarding contest for over a year.
This past weekend at the Slam City Jam was no different, as Ryan's near-flawless skateboarding earned him yet another great finish. A favorite with the judges and the crowd alike, Ryan's amazing performance, filled with his smooth and unforced style, was almost unbelievable to watch coming from such a small frame.
etnies would to congratulate Ryan on yet another great finish!