Permin the King of Style

This past weekend France's Rich Permin clinched a sensational victory over a top class field in the King of Style Big Air, at the 2007 Winter Jam in Stockholm. He narrowly beat Canada's TJ Schiller into top spot, with American Simon Dumont in third. Sammy Carlson and Oscar Sherlin finished 4th and 5th, with Jon Olsson back in 9th. Each of the riders had three jumps, with the best two jumps counting, but each of the two tricks had to be different, adding a little twist to the traditional big air format. Jumps were also judged on style, rather than simply technical difficulty.

Rich did not fall all weekend and was putting down all variety of tricks. He won the contest on his final jump, putting down the smoothest of smooth switch 720 double tail grab (Rich’s own grab - check out his Solden Sweet spot to see it in action) to move into the lead. His spin was so slow that it looked like a 360 and he went super big. TJ then did a 1260 and event though he landed well the judges did not rate it about Rich’s super styley 7.

Rich thus continued his fantastic start to the season following a 4th place in the Frestyle.ch for the second year running. He said, ‘Last year I finished second so it was great to be able to step it up and get my first international title under my belt, the $10,000 is great too!’

The event was a great success and with a big crowd, live TV and perfect conditions, and it's going to be tough for the organisers to do better next year, but we'll definitely be there to check it out!

1) Richard Permin
2) TJ Schiller
3) Simon Dumont
4) Sammy Carlson
5) Oscar Sherlin
6) Colby West
7) PK Hunder
8) Henrik Harlaut
9) Jon Olsson
10) Jacob Wester
11) Peter Olenick
12) Charles Gagnier

(Image from newschoolers.com)