The competition begins

When I was told I'd be a part of the ceremony and the guys would be wearing suits, I secretly high fived myself for packing a dress. Not just a dress but a black conservative "Nice to meet your mother" type of dress. Plus five to me for avoiding potential scandalous embarrassment. At precisely 1:30 four of us were escorted into a VIP room filled with dignitaries. All at once, doors opened, everyone stood, hand shakes were exchanged, doors closed, flowers were pinned on suits and cameras rolled. I don't know if the AC was on or not, but even if it was below 60 inside nothing could've made that room feel any cooler. Someone spoke in Chinese and we waited to learn what they said from our interpreter. Then someone spoke in English and we waited as it was repeated in Chinese. This continued while both parties sat across from each other and starred. Once the proper formalities were taken care of we were whisked down a hallway, past guards and through a pair of doors out into the sun and onto the main stadium seating area. Long red cloths hung over tables with huge flower arrangements and two dark podiums with microphones. About 13 of us (check one for number of females- me) filed down to fill our assigned seats. Below us were about 16 children dressed in AST shirts, rollerblades, helmets and pads. The sides of the stadium were filled with spectators (bussed in from somewhere) who'd been given noisemakers to use during the competition. The speakers spoke in Chinese, the audience clapped and the Americans waited for the English version. The noisemakers roared and the rollerbladers kept looking up at us to wave or flash peace signs. Girls wearing red dresses stood by waiting to provide assistance or hand over water. Four giant TV screens, one in each corner of the stadium, broadcast the speeches. It was all pretty impressive....

As soon as the comp started it was time to get to work. And by work, I also mean a first. My job was to stand in the athlete area, grab the guys when I could and interview them for pieces we plan to use this summer during shows. I had a camera guy and a producer to work with me. Neither of them spoke English. All I can say is thank god for Joe, our sweet interpreter who worked so hard to relay what I wanted to have them shoot. In a live event, things don't wait, the pace is constantly moving and you have to be quick to capture it or the shot is lost. Something as basic as common language and communication, a trait we're accustomed to, are key. So to have her there to help get over that barrier, whew, she was the best!  

Soooo.. in the Skateboard Vert category PLG took the win, Andy Macdonald found his 720's (again) and a second place spot and fellow Floridian 18 year old Adam Taylor took third. Best Trick contest is always a hit with the fans (no matter what language) and Sandro Dias easily won after he nailed the 900.

BMX Vert guys did a demo for the fans. Chad Kagy, Dennis McCoy, Kevin Robinson, Jamie Bestwick, Stevie McCann and Jimmy Walker know how to put on a good show.

Unfortunately Skateboard Park got rained out today. We waited it out for hours and the rain never let up. So we had to call it and the guys never got to get on the course and compete. It's a definite bummer for the six Chinese athletes who were really excited for the event.

Tonight we have our banquet and wrap party... which is getting close to starting and someone needs to get ready.