The Weekender: Highlights from the stars taking on X Games Aspen, more
Every Friday in The Weekender we take a look at the best videos from the week that was. In this special X Games edition, we’re checking out some of the best videos in circulation from all the action in Aspen. We’ll also give you a preview of what else is on tap this weekend in the world of action and outdoor sports.
Sage Kostenburg
Sage Kostenburg won the first ever Olympic gold medal in Slopestyle but he hasn’t won an X Games medal since he took silver in Aspen in 2012—and there are definitely more favored riders in Slopestyle—like Yuki Kadono and Mark McMorris. But Kostenburg always seems to be in the mix. This is the latest edition of Kostenburg’s web series, The Other Side, where he talks progression in the sport.
Jamie Anderson
Jamie Anderson, who also won Olympic gold, is usually a favorite in any Slopestyle event she enters. Her 2014 was incredible as she won that gold in Sochi while tearing apart competition on the Dew Tour. So this video is a bit of a throwback from her web series, Living the Dream, that followed the South Lake Tahoe, Calif. native during that magical 2014 run. Living the dream indeed...
Stale Sandbech
Stale Sandbech finished in second during last year’s Slopestyle event at the X Games but he may have been a victim of his own, incredibly-smooth style (he makes it look too easy). But that’s what the 22-year-old Norwegian is known for: making the terrifying tricks in his arsenal appear incredibly simple. He won silver in Sochi and has a handful of X Games medals, none of which are gold. He’s definitely a threat to change that in Aspen.
Gus Kenworthy
The hype coming into these X Games surrounding Gus Kenworthy was definitely significant: he came out in an ESPN article in October. In the piece he mentioned how tough X Games was because he was still in the closet (he’s never won a gold medal at X). Kenworthy came up just short of gold Thursday night in SuperPipe, losing to Kevin Rolland on Rolland’s final run in the pipe after leading the whole way. He still has Slopestyle later this weekend to earn his first top podium spot in Aspen. Here’s another throwback to 2014, when Kenworthy threw the first switch triple rodeo in competition.
Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown has won seven X Games medals including four golds. With his impeccable style he’s still the only skier to win two golds at X when he won Slopestyle and Big Air in 2010. At 24, he’s one of the youngest skiers that has helped push the sport’s popularity in recent years and is always a favorite to finish on the podium in Aspen. Brown’s style is definitely on display in this piece from his sponsors at Under Armour.
What’s On Tap
Monster Energy Supercross | FS1 | Saturday, 10 p.m. EST
The Monster Energy Supecross Series continues this weekend in Oakland, Calif. with things to watch in both the 450 and 250SX classes: namely, Ryan Dungey going for his third straight win while Cooper Webb looks for his fourth straight.
X Games | XGames.com| Friday-Sunday, 12:00 p.m. EST
The drama is on display all weekend from Aspen, Colo. where a lot of storylines will play out: will Kenworthy get his gold, can Kelly Clark continue the impressive run she’s had this season and re-capture her winning form at the X Games?
World Cup Skiing | NBC Universal | Saturday, 6:00 a.m. EST
The brutal schedule continues for both the men and women in alpine World Cup skiing. The women are in Maribor, Slovenia while the men are on in Garmisch, Germany. Lindsey Vonn is the story this year for the U.S. team as she nabbed her 74th and 75th World Cup victories and took over the ratings lead in Cortina, Italy last week.
