Saturday - 7:30PM -
March 31, 2007
While the Hot Seat on the stage is typically considered to be the best seat in the house, each and every seat was a best seat as everyone at the MTS Centre witnessed some of the best FMX riding of the season tonight. The fans in Winnipeg recognized what they were watching and responded with incredible noise for what was literally a tour of champions with both the current and former Canadian title holders competing in a number of disciplines.
Niagara Falls native Mike Adair set the bar high on the very first qualifying run, breaking the 90 point barrier by scoring a 91. While the next three qualifiers; Dan Newth, Rob Shaheen and Ryan Logan scores well into the 80s, it took Jack Rowe to reach the heights set by Adair. Rowe, at just 18 one of the most accomplished freestylers on the FMX circuit, pulled out a gnarly Sideways Super Nac as his first trick (topping the one he wowed fans with in warm up). But the judges provided only a 90.5 to the displeasure of the crowd. Adam Cousino was in the company of champions, but along with Reagan Sieg and reigning Canadian champ Jeff Fehr, were all unable to match Adair’s 91. At the end qualifying, Adair, Rowe, Sieg and Fehr were the final four.
Perhaps Jeff Fehr wanted to give the crowd something extra in the second half. Perhaps the fans inspired the champion. Regardless, to kick off the second half, the fans responded to the champ in the Sickest Trick Contest. Sieg edged out Adair’s Sideways Grab and Rowe’s massive Cliffhanger with his overextended Kiss of Death. When asked what trick he felt could top Sieg, Jeff Fehr casually announced that he would do a One Hander. The crowd seemed stunned by the suggestion that an old school trick could win. But Fehr did just what he promised – upside down! His one handed Back Flip easily won the loudest crowd response and the contest.
Sieg and Fehr teamed up against Adam Cousino and Jack Rowe in the Doubles competition. Both teams chose the train format, following one another over the same ramp. Reagan and Jeff arrived on the track in a most unique way, with Fehr juggling three oranges – on top of Sieg’s shoulders. During the run Fehr again pulled out the Back Flip to win the crowd’s response and take home the Doubles trophies.
The riders needed to prepare for the finals, which allowed Jody Donnelly and the Ride and Grind BMX stunt team to prove to the crowd that they were just teasing in the first half. Big Chad and Jacob Marks performed Back Flips over top of one another, included one with a massive Tail Whip. The fans took their response up a notch to show their appreciation.
Now it was up to the judges. And what a challenge it was to score the riders. Fehr hit the Hot Seat first as his 87.5 in qualifying meant he had to ride first in the final. Three Back Flips, including a Whip Flip, combined with beautifully executed tricks that worked all parts of the motorcycle, equaled a 93 for his run.
Sieg was up next, but during his interview he said he was there not to beat Jeff but to entertain the crowd. It looked like he did both, but scored only a 92.
Jack Rowe knew that he had to be perfect to beat the Canadian champion and appeared to be just that. He pulled out tricks the judges hadn’t seen like the Seat Grab Cordova and appeared completely spent at the end of his run, literally rolling across the track on his way to the stage. His 92.5 was close, but not close enough to dislodge Fehr from the Hot Seat. The crowd loudly disagreed.
Only one rider remained to spoil Fehr’s party and it was the rider who had scored the highest in the qualifying. Adair came out on fire. But three quarters through his 80 seconds he hit a monstrous Half Holy Grab with Indy Air. Unfortunately, he landed astride the gas tank. When manhood meets metal it usually is not good and it wasn’t for Mike. He could not complete the final few seconds of his ride but still scored a 90.
Jeff Fehr graciously received a hat trick of trophies with this win, proving that a true champion overcomes all odds to win. What an extraordinary night of Freestyle to round out the final FMX series weekend and the final stop in Canada for 2007.
