Texas Sizzler 19

Friday featured giant slalom under the lights against a tremendous headwind, blowing up the hill at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, which gave a strange sensation as if one was skating through Jello. Racers had the option of going off the “BAR” (Big Ass Ramp) of 12 feet in height, the regular ramp, or simply pushing in. If they desired, they could start lower on the hill. Combining each racer’s two best runs, Collin Kruse from San Diego, CA, secured 1st place, with Josh Byrd from Nashville, TN, coming in 2nd place, and Orion Lehrmann, also from San Diego, CA, taking 3rd place.

After the giant slalom, the almighty speed trap race followed. The impact of the wind was evident. Collin Kruse led in 1st place with a speed of 29.87 MPH, followed by Brandon (Brando) Sanchez in 2nd place with a speed of 29.03 MPH, and Joseph Kyle Smith in 3rd with 28.02 MPH. Typically, the speed trap records speeds in the mid to high 30 MPH range for this hill.

Saturday hosted tight slalom, with the wind roaring up the hill, creating challenging conditions once again. COSS racer and USA Slalom Skateboarding racer George Pappas set an extremely challenging course. It was another intense day of racing, with all racers initially qualifying together before being divided into A, B, and C classes.

In the A class, La Costa Racing’s Orion Lehrmann secured 1st place, followed by Josh Byrd of Road Kill Racing in 2nd, and Brandon Sanchez from San Diego, CA, in 3rd place. In the B class, Judi Oyama (Badass Skate Mom) took 1st place, followed by Timeship Racing founder Joe Lehm in 2nd, and Rob (Carlos) Bibiarz, who placed 3rd in his first TX Sizzler. In the C class, Kelly Apanowicz from team La Costa Racing took 1st place, followed by Texas Outlaw Jeff Minx in 2nd, and Dr. Dan Parrish taking 3rd.

Sunday featured the hybrid race, with the wind blowing downhill at speeds of 20-30 MPH. Once again, this made for challenging racing conditions. In the A class, Orion Lehrmann secured 1st place, followed by Josh Byrd in 2nd, and Collin Kruse in 3rd. All three racers are on the USA Slalom Skateboarding national team, surpassing many of their fellow teammates to capture the top three spots. In the B class, Joe Lehm again took 1st place, with Rob (Carlos) Bibiarz in 2nd, and Texas Outlaw Paul Adams in 3rd. In the C class, Ethen Allen of the Texas Outlaws took 1st place, followed by fellow outlaw Cory Thorn Hill in 2nd, and Wiggle warrior Ben Buckles in 3rd.

In the overall standings, Orion Lehrmann took 1st place, with Josh Byrd in 2nd place, and Collin Kruse in 3rd place. For the overall women, 17-time world champion Lynn Krammer took 1st place, followed by Badass Skate Mom Judi Oyama in 2nd place, and Jennifer Coppa in 3rd place. In overall B class, Joe Lehm took 1st place, followed by Jennifer Coppa in 2nd place, and Kelly Apanowicz in 3rd place. In overall C class, Texas Outlaw Humberto Salcedo was in 1st place, followed by another Texas Outlaw, Glenn Bukowsky, in 2nd place, and Kevin Kamins of the Wiggle Warriors in 3rd place. In the juniors category, Kelly Apanowicz took top honors, followed by Texas Outlaw Maggie Harrison in 2nd place, and Leiola Kahaku in 3rd place, making an impressive debut at her first Sizzler! A big thank you goes to our sponsors: Sk8Kings, Texas Skate Shop, Psyops Skateboards, Loaded Boards, Orangatang Wheels, Oust Bearings, Texas Amateur Skateboard League, Grackle Skateboards, Badass Skate Mom, Riptide Bushings, La Costa Racing, ISSA, NCDSA, and NoSo Patches.