X Games are back, but how much do competitors miss the crowds?
The world of extreme sports doesn't sit idle for long.
Someone's always willing to construct a steeper ramp, attempt a bolder jump or add another revolution to an already dizzying spin.
The biggest reveal in dryland action sports is set to begin this week with the summer X Games, a hairraising multi-day event that features professional skateboarders, BMXers and motocross riders.
The event is scheduled to run today through Sunday at three San Diego County locations.
Organizers of the X Games have done what they usually do this time of year; They drew up two new events, tweaked some scoring formats and found a new and improved location to spin their wheels.
All that's left is for the athletes to display what they've been working on for the past 12 months.
“Ramps feel better than they've ever felt,” said Elliot Sloan, a 13-time X Games medalist in skateboarding who will host four events in his backyard today.
One element that won't change this year is the lack of spectators.
After the 2020 summer X Games were canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak, they returned to Southern California in 2021, but without fans for the first time in the event's 26-year history.
Interest didn't seem to wane.
Compared to 2019, when the summer X Games were held in front of crowds in Minneapolis, ratings on ESPN's media platforms surged 13% last year.
“We obviously miss doing events with the fans and the crowds,” said Tim Reed, vice president of programming and acquisitions at ESPN. “We'll get back to that at some point.”
X GAMES SCHEDULE
Today
10:30 a.m.: Pacifico Skateboard Vert (ESPN+)
Noon: Pacifico Skateboard Vert Best Trick (ESPN+) 3:30 p.m.: BMX MegaPark (ESPN+)
5:30 p.m.: Monster Energy Skateboard MegaPark Thursday
10 a.m.: Monster Energy Moto X Freestyle (ESPN+) Noon: Moto X Best Whip (ESPN+)
1:30 p.m.: BMX Dirt (ESPN+) 3 p.m.: Moto X 110s (ESPN+) 4:30 p.m.: Moto X Best Trick (ESPN+)
6:15 p.m.: Moto X QuarterPipe High Air
Friday
6 p.m.: Monster Energy
Like last year, two of the three venues are located on private property owned by current X Games competitors. The other venue is located at the California Skateparks' Training Facility in Vista.
Sloan said the lack of fans last year was noticeable.
“It was really weird,” he said. “It really put things into perspective how much the audience is part of the whole show, especially for getting hyped.”
Daniel Sandoval, a BMX rider who grew up in Corona before moving to Arizona last year, said competing in front of a crowd can sometimes have an adverse effect on the performance of extreme sport athletes, especially those not completely confident in a trick or the course setup.
“Sometimes, when you have a crowd, you get a little too amped up,” Sandoval said. “You pull a little too hard, or you just miscalculate a little bit.”
Pat Casey, a Placentia native who now resides in Riverside, has mixed opinions on the effects of competing in front of spectators.
Boisterous fans can often
Skateboard MegaPark; BMX Street; Moto X QuarterPipe High Air (ESPN/ESPN+) Saturday
10 a.m.: Women's Skateboard Park; Monster Energy Moto X Freestyle; BMX
Park; Moto X Best Trick; Men's Skateboard Street (Ch. 7/ESPN+)
3:30 p.m.: Skateboard Street Best Trick (ESPN+)
5 p.m.: Dave Mirra BMX
Park Best Trick; Pacifico Skateboard Vert; Moto X Best Whip (ESPN2; ESPN+) Sunday
10 a.m.: BMX Dirt; Real Street Best Trick; Women's Skateboard Street; Moto X 110s; Pacifico Skateboard Vert Best Trick; BMX MegaPark; Men's Skateboard Park (Ch. 7/ESPN+)
coax athletes into attempting a trick they aren't completely comfortable with, but that's what the X Games are all about, Casey said.
If there were no fans inside Staples Center in 2006, would daredevil motorcyclist Travis Pastrana have even attempted his infamous double backflip, which could have had disastrous results if he failed?
A year earlier inside the same sold-out arena, would 18-year-old skateboarder Shaun White have tried 29 times to become the first person to land a 1080 if not for the imploring from the crowd?
“That is a reason to go send some stuff,” Casey said of the crowd effect.
On the other hand, Casey said there's no better feeling than being on top of a ramp with just he and his fellow riders creating all the noise. Such an environment might actually create better performances.
“It's, like, more of a vibe that you're just riding with your friends instead of, like, a super-pressure event,” Casey said. “This is more laid back and I kind of enjoy it more.”
Sloan has had a vert ramp in his backyard for about 10 years, but when his property was selected to host events this year, X Games organizers quickly got to work on additions and improvements.
A longer transition was added leading to the megaramp, and access to the top was also improved.
“There's never been stairs, just a sketchy ladder,” Sloan said.
Sloan said the reality of hosting X Games events in his backyard didn't feel like a reality until he noticed signage popping up on his property last weekend.
He said the biggest challenge has been finding time to practice while also dealing with the distractions of being a host.
About six weeks ago, contractors began working 13 hours a day on the ramp extension. Fellow pro skateboarders began knocking at his door not long after it was finished.
Lately, Sloan has been helping the ESPN production crew get situated, all while dealing with a bothersome neck and back.
“It's been a hectic few weeks, but I'm still super stoked that this is happening and grateful to have this opportunity,” he said. “I'm definitely looking forward to a few days, weeks off.
“Definitely, no one is coming over here.”
Casey had a different experience last summer when he hosted the BMX competitions on his property in Riverside.
He said the preparation went smoothly and competition day felt more like a house party. Casey even won his first X Games gold medal on his own track.
“You can kind of just be a host and focus on riding and not really worry about all the logistics and everything that goes with it,” Casey said. “For me, it was a great time and I didn't really stress about anything else except, like, just, it's my house.”