Etnies Skate Team Report 07-30-04
by: Mike Matz | Friday, July 30, 2004
by Mark Holder
A lot of stuff has been going on, and there is a lot coming up. Keep reading to find out que pasaӔ (whatӒs up) with the etnies teamԅ
Bastien Salabanzi basically killed it in Europe at the contests. He was at both the World Championships in Dortmund, Germany on the weekend of July 17-18, and the Mystic Cup in Prague, Czech Republic on the weekend of July 24-25. The results, you ask? Oh, um...Bastien casually nabbed 1st place in Germany and 2nd place in Prague! Congratulations, Bastien! The sweep of both contests was right there for his taking, but he fell on a massive backside kickflip transfer in Prague (which he made with no problem in practice). Wait until you see the footage from both contests. Bastien is so gnarly, its out of control! At the moment, he is back in Barcelona, skating and getting ready for the X Games next week in Los Angeles. HeҒll be back in the States early next week, ready to try and win the $50,000 for 1st place.
Ryan Sheckler will also be at the X Games next week, and has his eyes set on the $50,000 1st place prize, as well. Ryan has been quite busy over the last few weeks, as he has been inundated with requests for interviews, etc. leading up to the X Games. He is the defending champion from last year, after all. This Sunday, Ryan flies to New York to be on The Today Show on Monday morning, which airs on NBC from 7:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Last Sunday, MTV came by Ryan֒s house to film an episode of Cribs! Apparently, the segment will air in about a month, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Look for hidden etnies throughout the house! Aside from all that, Ryan is also still filming for the Almost Skateboards video.
Rune Glifberg will also be attending the X Games in Los Angeles next weekend, skating in the vert contest. There is $50,000 grand on the line in vert, as well, so you know he has been getting himself ready. Over the last couple weeks, Rune was in Germany and Czech for the World Championships and the Mystic Cup, respectively. He suffered a mild back injury in Germany during practice and was unable to skate in the contest, but he rested-up before heading to Prague and took 1st place there! Congratulations to Rune for another contest win! He will be back in the States on July 30, just in time for an appearance at the Encinitas, California YMCA on July 31, where hell be signing autographs and what-have-you at the Mountain Dew Free Flow Tour. Have you gone to shops yet and bought his new etnies designed-by shoe, The Tip? If not, what are you waiting for? Do it now!
Arto Saari has been mobbinҒ around in Huntington lately, doing photos shoots for Quiksilver, hanging out at the etnies offices, and playing loads of guitar. He is getting quite good on the six strings. Look out, Bastien! This Saturday at approximately 1:00 p.m., Arto will be making an appearance at Huntington Surf & Sport (at the corner of PCH and Main St.) in downtown Huntington Beach, California to sign some autographs and check out some freaks. Each Summer, Huntington Beach plays host to a massive bowl contest and surfing event, and loads of people from all over turn-up for this festival-style atmosphere. I said freaks, cuz they definitely do come out of the woodwork for this one. Come down and get ArtoҒs autograph!
Happy belated Birthday to Mr. Stefan Janoski! Stefan celebrated it on Sunday, July 18. Im sure the party was a fun one. Unfortunately, his team manager was in Europe and wasnҒt able to post anything to the website until now about the event, but happy birthday anyhow. It looks like all of those that voted on the Quick Picks for etnies to pay his bills for a month got your way. I was personally hoping to buy him a robe and slippers, but oh, well. It looks as if he gets a month off of paying bills! Dont worry, Stefan. IҒll hook you up soon with a little somethin more. Next Tuesday, Stefan leaves on a mission with some Habitat and Workshop dudes to South Africa for two weeks. Look for an article from this adventure down the road. He told me he is going to stay for a week or so after and get me a photo of himself with a giraffe in the background. HeҒs also gonna try to chill with some hippos.
Well, I guess thats it for now. Oh, wait! That isnҒt it! The new Thrasher (September 2004) should be in stores now. This issue features the etnies Australia / New Zealand tour (that is also featured here on etnies.com). Make sure to check this eighteen-page beast outitŒs a good one!
etnies European Skateboard Championships, 4th Edition
by: Mike Matz | Thursday, July 29, 2004
Presented by Carhartt
Street, Vert, Mini-Ramp Bowl, Girls Jam
August 20-22, 2004
Kunsteisbahn Margarethen
Basel, Switzerland
ItҒs once again time for the etnies European Skateboard Championships, featuring Street, Vert, Mini-Ramp Bowl and, for the girls, their very own Jam. Saturday nights entertainment is also guaranteed with a concert at the Sommercasino. This year, Carhartt is presenting the Championships on August 20-22, 2004 in Basel, Switzerland.
Carhartt has actively been supporting the skateboarding scene throughout Europe for over ten years, and etnies organizes worldwide international skateboard events to promote the passion for skateboarding. This particular collaboration has made it possible to present the largest skateboarding championships in the three-country border corner of Basel for the fourth time. Not only that, but the artificial ice rink Margarethen, lovingly known in Basel as the ғKunschti, a traditional place for sport meetings such as the Davis Cup tennis tournaments and ice hockey world championships, is the ideal place for the event.
The European title will be given away once again this year and more than 300 skateboarders from over sixteen nations are expected: Arto Saari (Finland), Bastien Salabanzi (France), Rune Glifberg (Denmark), Wieger van Wageningen (Netherlands), Dominik Dietrich (Australia), Danny Wainwright (UK), Florentin Marfaing (Germany), Marc Haziza (France), Chris Pfanner (Australia), Oli BԼrgin (Czech), Jrgen Horrwarth (Germany), Jo Lorenz (Germany) Ali Cairns (UK), Nicky Guerrero (Denmark) and Tom Penny (UK) with further special guests. Top riders will be competing for prize money of EUR 30,000.
IOU will provide the excellent street course, which was already used for the etnies European Open in Munich this year. For the etnies European Championships, the course will be equipped with some new features and surprises. Vertical is supplying the King Size II and the mini-ramp bowl combination, which will guarantee excellent vert skating. The vert ramp will be placed in front of the Kunschti쓔. Vertical is also supplying a public street course so that even the spectators can let off steam.
The Top 100 skateboarders are directly qualified for the Street Qualification on Saturday. Everybody else needs to make their way through the Pre-Qualification on Friday. A list with the names of the Top 100 riders can be found on www.skateboardeurope.com. The Semi-Finals are scheduled on Saturday and the Finals will be held on Sunday.
More information and review can be found at: www.skateboardeurope.com
The etnies European Skateboard Championships are qualifiers for the World Cup Skateboarding events. More info at: www.wcsk8.com
Schedule
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Practice and sign-up: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 20, 2004
Street Pre-Qualifications: 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Vert Qualifications : 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Street Qualifications: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Mini-Ramp Bowl Qualifications: 4.30 - 7:00 p.m.
Vert Finals: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Street Semi-Finals: 12:00 - 2.30 p.m.
Girls Jam: 2.30 - 3:00 p.m.
Mini-Ramp Bowl Finals: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Street Finals: 4.30 - 5.30 p.m.
Prizegiving: 6:00 p.m.
Info:
www.skateboardeurope.com
Phone: +41 61 401 3701
e-mail: contact@skateboardeurope.com
Press Info:
Phone: +49 30 265 570 11
e-mail: monika.bocian@skateboardeurope.com
etnies Skate Team Report 07-12-04
by: Mike Matz | Monday, July 12, 2004
So, whats new since the last report? HereҒs the scoopage
Arto Saari came by the etnies offices yesterday to sign some shoes and boards for a couple of contests that are currently going on here at etnies. In fact, look forward to a limited-edition Arto colorway to be given away at activemailorder.com, where you can enter to win one of these never-before-seen Artos! 
Other than that, Arto has been chillinΠin Huntington as of late.
Congratulations to Rune Glifberg on the arrival of his second daughter, born perfectly healthy on the 4th of July! With the upcoming contest schedule this month--World Cups in Germany and the Czech Republic, along with the X-Games, etnies European Championships, and Gravity Games--you can bet Rune is a busy man. His signature shoe with etnies, The Tip, is shipping to stores later this month, so be sure to go check em out. Rune will be the Featured Rider on the etnies site this month҅look for a new interview and contest to be posted soon! Make sure to enter the contest for your chance to win a free pair of Runes new shoe.
Ryan Sheckler has changed plans since the last update. He isnҒt going to Europe for the contests, instead he will be staying home to work on his part for the Almost Skateboards video, and to prepare for the X Games coming up in early August.
Stefan Janoski is currently in Southern California, skating and dropping by the offices here at etnies. As a matter of fact, he's on his way down here right now. We just got word that the TransWorld Subtleties video should be in shops very soon. Make sure to rush out and buy it so you can check out Stefans part!
Bastien Salabanzi is currently in Barcelona skating everyday. He hasnҒt been there for a while now, and he is loving it. Hes out there working on a couple projects. Bastien will be heading to Germany next week for the World Cup contest and then the week after, heҒll be off to the Czech Republic for the World Cup contest in Prague.
You Choose Stefan’s Birthday Present!
by: Mike Matz | Friday, July 9, 2004
The last Quick Pick asked, What is StefanӒs favorite etnies shoe to skate in? The Arto, Rap, Evader or The Assist. Well, if you picked the Evader (20% of you did), you were right. Peep his coverage lately...all Evaders, baby!
The next Quick Pick relates to StefanԒs birthday, which is coming up on July 18. Were going to purchase whichever gift you guys vote for from the list. Pick wisely, so Stefan will be happy. The Quick Pick is near the bottom right of the etnies homepage.