Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Series sustains success
40,000 turn out for events
By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati's third Mobile Skatepark Series wrapped up professional competition Monday, and despite Sunday's rain delay and swarms of cicadas, ASA Events president Rick Bratman said the event was another success. It concludes today with an open skatepark from 12-8 p.m.
![[img]](ska.jpg)
Koji Kraft, of Addison, Illinois, performs a flip during the Pro BMX Street competition at the Mobile Skatepark Series.
(Gary Landers photo)
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Bratman estimated between 40,000-45,000 people made it to Sawyer Point for the weekend's events, which included amateur and professional in-line, skateboarding and BMX riding competitions. That's below last year's attendance of about 60,000, but Bratman said it's not bad considering they lost half a day to stormy weather.
"It's a tribute to the fans in Cincinnati that even after a 6 1/2 hour delay, when we finally got on the ramp, the place was full," Bratman said. "It's just the general vibe we get here. It's such an awesome setting."
The event again attracted some big names in the world of action sports, including vert winners Eito Yasutoko (in-line), Danny Mayer (skateboarding) and Koji Kraft (BMX). Many seemed happy with this year's Cincinnati event, despite having to take the occasional cicada to the head during competition.
"I like it a lot," said Josh Harrington, who placed third in BMX street competition Monday. "The crowd is good. It's a beautiful area, and it's a nice town. I hope they keep it here for a long time to come."
That's the plan, according to Bratman, who said Cincinnati will "definitely" see the Mobile Skatepark Series in years to come - though it's future location is still uncertain.
"We love coming to Sawyer Point," he said. "But the question is, can we grow the event at Sawyer Point? ... As of now, this is where it's going to be."
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E-mail ckane@enquirer.com
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