Photo: Fans come out to watch athletes at Red Bull Hart Lines in Detroit – P Anthony Acosta
Nyjah Huston Wins Back-to-Back Titles at 2017 Red Bull Hart Lines, edging out Alec Majerus & Kelvin Hoefler
In the third edition of Red Bull Hart Lines, world #1 Nyjah Huston defended his title as champion with a dynamic display of speed, technical skill and creativity to win the contest for the second year in a row.
Thousands of local fans packed into Hart Plaza, watching Huston battle through the late afternoon against a field of elite international skaters including Ryan Sheckler, Leticia Bufoni and Felipe Gustavo. Huston claimed victory with a series of flawless runs packed with tricks strung together with fluidity and style.
Huston’s performance was typified by opening his first run with an epic gap kickflip frontside boardslide then, later in the afternoon, closing out his final run with a perfect backside flip over the gap followed by a fakie kickflip into the bank.
“The competition is always super gnarly and this course isn’t easy to skate. That’s the reason I like this competition, it’s super diverse. Consistency is the key. Being able to put down a solid first run so you can try something harder on your second run,” said a breathless Huston after sealing the deal on his final run with a gap to noseblunt.
Alec Majerus and Kelvin Hoefler came agonizingly close in second and third place respectively, putting together runs that pushed the reigning champion to the finish line. Ryan Sheckler, returning after missing the contest in 2016, finished in 6th place.
“The people of Detroit want us here and they want us back; it’s the same kids coming back with past year’s signatures on their board. We want to let Detroit know that we love them. This is for them and for skateboarding,” said Sheckler.
The results of the Red Bull Hart Lines Finals are below:
- Nyjah Huston 84.83
- Alex Majerus 81.17
- Kelvin Hoefler 78.00
- Ryan Decenzo 77.83
- Chase Webb 77.17
- Ryan Sheckler 74.33
- Tommy Fynn 72.17
- Felipe Gustavo 66.50
- Axel Cruysberghs 64.83
- Paul Hart 54.33
Earlier in the day, Dustin Blauvet won the local skate shop ‘Best Trick’ contest for Modern Skate & Surf in Royal Oak. Blauvet landed a colossal switch heel flip, backside bluntslide and frontside boardslide 270, amongst other tricks, to close out the contest ahead of David Dickson (Modern Skate & Surf) and Alex Knox (PLUS Skateboarding).
The Red Bull Signature Series is a collection of the most progressive action sports events in the world, featuring some of Red Bull’s top properties including Frozen Rush, Double Pipe, Joyride, Rampage and Straight Rhythm. Red Bull Media House and Alli Sports, a division of the NBC Sports Group, showcase the most progressive and innovative snowboarding, mountain biking, off-road trucking, freestyle motocross, skiing, surfing and BMX events, on custom courses from the inspiration of the athletes themselves.