Replying to The Ongoing Debate of Last Year's X-Games
Despite the fact that it's almost a year later, i stil read posts about how Tanner should have won the slopestyle. Everyone who says this cannot think for themselves and are blinded by Tanner's rep. Here are my reasons why Tanner deserved second place, even third in my opinion. I will pick apart their runs to show you all why Tanner didn't win.
Tanner: The nollie lipslide was incredible, very progressive, but you're whole run cannot be carried by one trick. He only slid about half the down on the flat down with his 450 on, and his 270 off was pretty sloppy. Also you cannot expect to win with that horrifying revert after the rail. On his jumps, a lot of his spins looked slightly out of control, and all but one of his landings were sloppy. He also didnt hold his grabs nearly as long as Jon or Gagnier
Jon: Tried to change it up a little by using the box, his bs switch up to tailslide was sick, but he came off a little early, in my opinion the only imperfection on his whole run. His 270 disaster was flawless, and he landed right at the kink and slid the whole down. All his jumps were video game smooth with perfect landings. The first time i watched the run i thought his last switch 10 was a switch 7. If Jon didnt blow the first box he should have won.
Gagnier: One footer on the stair rail, very progressive, i like it, but many hate it. lets leave it at that because this is a discussion of the rightful winner, not one-footer's. His switch 270 on was real good, not as good as Jon, but smoother than Tanner. To everyone's dissapointment, Gagnier also reverted after the landing. Gagnier's jump line was near perfect, with some flailing, but much smoother and with much longer grabs than Tanner. His switch 10 on the money booter had the most tweaked grab of the day and he held it from about 180 to 720.
A final analysis:
Jon had by far the smoothest run of anyone, but his one slip up cost him. Tanner's run was very technical, but he was sloppy on landings and grabs. Gagnier fell victim to the revert as Tanner did, but his grabs and landings were much smoother. Tanner's first rail was more technical, but his nollie was extremely subtle, i didn't even notice until Pep said it, and i still have trouble seeing it. So in conclusion I agree with the rankings, where each person deserved his place.
NOTE: Do not say that a nollie lipslide should beat a one footer; a slopestyle comp is about the whole run, not the first trick you do.
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