Ok im going to look over all of the entries, and then post my PERSONAL OPINION of each, one by one.
Mike Riddle
Before watching this video, I had no idea who this kid was. So to me he was unknown. I think that he has very solid landings, and super clean air style, with a bunch of diffrent grabs. His pipe riding is really solid, like spins both ways no problem. The only problem i really saw was maybe too many small park rails, and a lack of urban, but other then that, Solid video.
Pros:
- Very good pipe riding
- Solid landings
Cons:
- Lack of Urban
Mike Clarke
I also have never heard much about this kid, so this is the first time ive really seen him ski. First off his jumping is very solid, but I think compared to the other competitors he lacks bit in air style. He has alot of grabs, and alot of solid air tricks. I dislike the ammount of park rails. I feel his urban doesnt stand up to the other competitors either, but overall im really stoked on the jumping and such.
Pros:
- Variety of jump tricks
Cons:
- Lots of park rails
- Lack of Urban
Lil' John
So yea, John is pretty sick. Im not sure if i like his style overall, but to each and his own i guess. Im also not sure if i like stepping onto Urban Rails either. I like how there was alot of Urban compared to some of the other videos.
Pros:
- Bunch of Urban
Cons:
- too many switchups on a park rail
- I dont enjoy his overall style
Christopher Honeywell
Chris's style is amazing, every trick looks effortless, Jumps and rails both. I also enjoy how there were no 1080's or multiple switchups on a park rails. There were alot of park rails, but i think the variety of tricks shown justified them. I enjoyed the ammount of Urban Rails, as well as the variety of tricks on them, not just sliding them.
Pros:
- Progressive Urban
- Amazing Style
Cons:
- Park rails
- Could be more jump tricks
Ahmet Dadali
So this kid has very sick urban, his varirty of tricks and such on street rails is really sick. His jumping is pretty good also, but it would be nice if there was a bit more of it. I also thought it was really cool how there were a bunch of shots outside of the park or streets, like those cliff 180's and such.
Pros:
- Very Progressive Urban
- Some cliff drops and such
Cons:
- Maybe some more jumping
Ian Cosco
Ian is pretty sick, good style, really good jumping. I wish there was some urban in this part, and not as many park rails. Like i said, good style on jumps, variety of tricks and grabs. Im not sure if i enjoy that hes pro for a ski company and entering Superunknown, But sick style overall and pretty good edit.
Pros:
- Solid jumping
Cons:
- too many park rails
- no urban
David Beaulieu
Ok, so David has it all, amazing jumping, amazing style, amazing urban. He spins both ways, consistantly with style, and has a variety of grabs. His jumping is just very top notch. His urban is just as crazy, big rails, switchups, 270 on, spins off. Like i feel Davids video is the most well rounded out of all of the competitors.
Pros:
- Amazing Urban
- Amazing Jumping
- Amazing Style
Cons:
- Nope
Conclusion
Please note, this is all personal opinion. I took the time to express my opinion, please respect that.
Alright, so first off. I think Mike Riddle is Unknown enough to win this competition, im just not sure if his video showed the variety of riding needed, such as urban. Mike Clarke is in the same boat i think, this is for Level 1, they are known for the best urban in the industry, and I dont think this edit cuts it. Lil' John is pretty sick, but Im not sure if i would like him winning because of how known he is, He just signed with Level, Scott, Line and Siver Cartel. As well as just won the Avila YGO and is now in the Orage Masters, but yea, thats just my opinion. Christopher Honeywell has what it takes i think, with sick and diffrent urban, as well as really really good air and rail style, so i would put him up near the top. Compared to some of the other kids in the finals Christopher is pretty much unsponsored. Ahmet Dadali, i dont think should win this competition because he is on the Am team for Ninthward, Im not sure how "unknown" that is, but it certinatly isnt "Super" unknown. But non the less, Ahmet has some sick urban and sick jumping. Ian Cosco, just no, hes a Pro for one of the biggest ski companies in the industry right now. Now David Beaulieu, I think he should win this competition. With his variety of jumping and sick urban, and hes deffinatly very "Unknown". So if i was the head judge i would put David in first, with Christopher in a close second.