With the return of the Nitro World Games to Salt Lake City on Saturday, the revolutionary competition took action sports to never seen before levels of excitement and achievement. The NBC primetime television audience, global livestream viewers and the Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd all witnessed action sports history with scores of world’s first landed during the event. Over 40 athletes competed in six finals on a massive course. Harry Bink topped the podium in FMX Best Trick. Ryan Williams took home two first place trophies, both in BMX Best Tricks (defending his 2016 title) and Scooter Best Tricks. Other repeat winners include Colton Walker (BMX Triple Hit), Levi Sherwood (FMX) and Elliot Sloan (Skate Best Trick).
The world’s best FMX, BMX, Skate and Scooter athletes gathered in Salt Lake City Saturday to compete in the 2017 edition of the Nitro World Games. The winner’s list represented four continents. Co-creator Travis Pastrana said, “These incredibly skilled athletes put everything on the line today. They absolutely sent it, no-holds-barred, elevating the sport and setting a totally new standard.”
Harry Bink electrified the stadium during FMX Best Trick by completing a world’s first frontflip rock solid, a triumphant return after crashing during his first attempt. Taking first place, Bink beat out a world-class field of competitors including 2016 champion Gregg Duffy, Will Van Den Putte, Pat Bowden and more. Said Bink, “I got four hours of sleep last night waking up in cold sweats thinking about my run – it was a lot of pressure thinking about what I was going to do tonight. I’m just very grateful for these results.”
Ryan Williams continued his dominance at the Nitro World Games by being the first athlete ever to win in two different disciplines, taking first place in both BMX Best Tricks and Scooter Best Tricks. Sealing his win in Scooter, Williams completed his signature move – The Silly Willy – to the crowd’s roars. “I came here with the goal of winning both of my competitions and achieved that goal,” Williams explained. “Last year, everyone expected me to win Scooter and I didn’t achieve the result I wanted. Now I feel like I got redemption by taking the win this year.”
The BMX Best Tricks trophy presentation was not aired during the NBC live broadcast because the judges reviewed a trick for accuracy after the competition ended. Replays of Dawid Godziek’s fourth run showed that he did one less rotation than first thought. The resulting change in score put Ryan Williams on top, and made him a two-time BMX Best Tricks champion.
Other Nitro World Games sponsors include: Monster Energy DuPont Kevlar, Oberto, Polaris Slingshot, Hyper Bicycles, Wienerschnitzel, Anderson Hitches and Vivid Seats.
Created by Nitro Circus Executive Chairman and Global Head of Creative Mike Porra with action sports icon Travis Pastrana, Nitro World Games pushes the limits of action sports competition. Featuring new big air formats, breakthrough ramp technology and innovative judging criteria, Nitro World Games has shifted the landscape for both athletes and the industry alike.
For more about the #NitroWorldGames go to www.nitroworldgames.com. Fans can also follow Nitro Circus on Twitter: @nitrocircus and Facebook: www.facebook.com/NitroCircus
Nitro Circus, the world’s biggest action sports entertainment brand, creates electrifying live events and unbelievable original content that at once exhilarates, captivates and inspires thrill-seeking fans worldwide.
Co-founded by global superstar Travis Pastrana in 2003, Nitro Circus has since grown into a multiplatform phenomenon producing hit television shows, critically acclaimed documentaries and innovative digital offerings. That success gave rise to the Nitro Circus Live tour. Created in 2010 by action sports industry guru – now Nitro Circus’ Executive Chairman and Global Head of Creative – Michael Porra, Nitro Circus Live has travelled the globe, playing to sold-out stadiums on five continents.
The company introduced an innovative breakthrough in 2016 with the debut of Nitro World Games, completely rebooting action sports competition in the process. With over three million tickets sold to date, television programming that has aired in over 60 countries, more than 20 million engaged fans across its social media platforms and a burgeoning consumer products business, Nitro Circus is at the forefront of action sports and entertainment. For more information visit www.nitrocircus.com.
