April 29, 2015 – Corona, California – Monster Energy’s Pierre Luc Gagnon (PLG) wins the skateboard vert competition after an injury prevented him from competing last year, and Vince Byron repeats gold for the 4th consecutive year taking first in BMX vert at the KIA World Extreme Games debut at the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower held in Shanghai, China today.
Coming back from an injury is no picnic in skateboarding, but Gagnon’s hard work and dedication paid off and he returned with a vengeance.
“Really stoked to be back in Shanghai,” said Gagnon. The city has changed so much since my first trip out here 10 years ago, and it’s an honor to get to compete at such an amazing landmark like the Oriental Pearl Tower. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome in the contest.”
The skateboard field was solid, but seasoned pro Gagnon came out strong and landed all four runs improving on each run with a final score of 91.67. Highlights of his runs included a tre flip mute fakie, into a switch heel flip frontside air 360, various 540 combinations, a grapefruit grind, and a nollie heel flip Indy 360.
Byron captured gold for the 4th consecutive time and made history landing the first-ever 540 flair in a vert competition and a final score of 91.33.
“I have been working on the 540 flair for a while now, and I’m psyched that I got it done here for the Shanghai fans,” said Byron.
Neither Byron nor Gagnon are strangers to the KIA podium. Byron looks to defend his title in mini mega and Gagnon has achieved legend status on the vert ramp. Both are methodical trainers and competitors and will undoubtedly be podium mainstays for years to come.
