Sunday, August 17, 2014

ISA World Championships Short Recap

So I watched the ISA Worlds stream this morning, and it was a good time for sure. The good time being that I was watching a ton of my close friends shredding a sick park, and throwing down some ridiculous runs. The commentating from BenJ was also really good, Todd is coming along as well. Together they make a good commentating couple.

The riding was everything you would expect from the worlds best all in one comp. Some riders cracked under the pressure, and some rose to the occasion. In the end, it was Dakota, for the third time in a row, followed by the heavy favorite, Dylan Morrison, and the shocker was Joe Armstrong, taking out Cameron Ward for third place. I personally thought Cameron's first run was untouchable, and should have at least got him 3rd place.

My issue was this whole thing was the prize money these guys got for winning. This is the "World Championships" and first place got...1,000 dollars? What the hell is up with that. Seems honestly pathetic, that some of these guys traveled around the world to ride in a competition of this magnitude, and 1st place nets you 1,000 dollars.. No offense to the ISA or whoever put this whole thing together, but give these riders what they're worth. And I can guarantee you it's a lot more than what they were got for winning/competing.



13 comments:

  1. It was 1,000£ ,so 1.673,57$ dollars but still not very much.

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  2. That's surprised me a bit too. Even Russian ISA contest in Moscow, which guys from Blunt and Grit visited, offered about 1000$ for the first place, but that's a local thing and here we have a grand worldwide event... Yeah, a bit anticlimactic.
    However, congrats to the winners, they've done an incredible job. My personal favorite is probably Ben Thomas, he has shown so much creativity and consistency.

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  3. So much for the Dylan Morrison prediction! Shows how much out of touch IS really is.

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  4. You are pathetic to say that, riding is à pleasure and a passion first not a price..

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  5. yea world champ gets 1600 bucks. I bet thats how much his ticket over costs. Such bullshit the San Diego contest puts out more money than that and its just one comp a year not some fucking contest series or some shit

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  6. The reason for the low prize purse is because Madd Gear had originally been a big sponsor for the event, and backed out at the last minute. The prize money was meant to be much higher. Sorry guys, don't blame the ISA. They do nothing but put out as much money as they can, without gaining any profit.

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  7. lmao at the Anonymous that said so much for the Dylan prediction..lol He got 2nd, by .03 points. Idiot.

    Yes, riding is a pleasure...and passion. But riders putting their lives on the line for their sponsors and some judges and a crowd, deserve to be properly paid. Idiot.

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  8. Our sport won't grow any more mature until people are getting paid properly. The shit money that some riders are making isn't enough to live off and ride full time after high school. This is the main reason why so many riders are quitting as soon as they get into the real world. Once people can at least make a living from riding/industry jobs, maybe our sport will be seen as a little more mature. It's better than it was a few years ago, but the $1600 grand prize for the world champ is just bullshit.

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  9. in defence of the prize purse, US prize purses seem to be raised by fairly high competitor entry fees, up to $75. I've never seen that in the UK, and it's normally just the park entry fee that is paid by competitors (and that goes to the park). Prize money always comes from sponsors, most of whom are paying to ship their riders their too. Add to that, the overall prize purse at Scootfest was pretty decent, around $5600, when you take the street and best tricks into account. Finally, if there is a comp where the title is more important than the cheque then i'd say this is it. But thanks for the good review and the shoutout man, and i'm all for upping prize money across the board, cos these dudes deserve it, it's just all the financial issues of it too. Todd

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    1. That a really good point Todd,

      Also Dom, there really isn't enough money in the industry to pay riders a full salary. And its funny how when someone does accept a check from a brand, they are automatically shut down by their peers and considered "sell outs."

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  10. Forgot to add that none of the top 50 paid any entry to Scootfest and were put up in accomodation for the weekend too :)

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  11. I hear you Todd, I hear you. Was just a bit thrown off by the photo of Dakota holding 1st place check, with such a small amount. And was looking for an explanation.

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    1. Yeah man, not beefing, just trying to offer a bit of constructive defence :) Hear you too.

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