Vans Spring Classic 2015


The Ramp. Ph. Sam Ashley

“If you’re young and talented, it’s like you have wings.”

This quote by Haruki Murakami pretty much sums up this past weekend’s Vans Spring Classic.

The 2015 Vans Spring Classic took place in Riccione, Italy and skaters of all ages came out for the comp. But it was the youth that was most impressive in my eyes. There’s a new guard taking over the transition kingdom and these whippersnappers are definitely not short on energy and enthusiasm. With blazing sun beaming down on the beach-adjacent ramp the 26-degree temperature was too much for some of the guys. Along with a host others,Vans Classic veteran Manhead “You know he’s an English”, succumbed to heatstroke. But the young bucks were seemingly unaffected by the desert-like heat. While the older skaters were left gasping for air after their 5-minute heats, the lil’ duns kept skating after their time had elapsed. Also the biggest cheers from the Riccione locals went to the under-age rippers. Young Ale Mazzara’s 540 was a definite crowd-pleaser and probably got the biggest cheer of the whole weekend. Ale, Tyler Edtmayer, Kalle Berglind, Vincent Matheron, Robin Bolian and Aurelian Giraud will surely be household names by the time they become legally old enough to drive.

Kalle Berglind, invert.

But let’s not forget about the older lads… You know the ones that are out the night before sinking down pints and mojitos. Alex Hallford is no stranger to the Spring Classic and this year as usual he did not disappoint: Miller flips over the spine, huge crailbones to fakie and more! And this year at the Spring Classic we got to witness a special treat: the Antihero team. The Antihero boys were over from the States and Pat McLain and Grant Taylor skated the mini. Now this might sound like a broken record or something, but if you ever get the chance to see Grant Taylor skate in person then please jump at the opportunity. He could have the most board control of anyone in skateboarding right now. His 6-foot frontside ollies were truly a thing of beauty. The look on the other competitors’ faces when he dropped in was a mix of awe and trepidation. But in the end Grant got fifth, Dannie Carlsen fourth and Ivan Federico third. Second place went to Alex Hallford and the winner was young Frenchman Aurelian Giraud. I think RedBull gave him wiiings.

The winner, Aurelian Giraud with a huge frontside air.

The winner, Aurelian Giraud with a huge frontside air.

But not to be forgotten was young Jacopo Carozzi. He won best trick on the Friday, but unfortunately broke his collarbone on an air to hang-up in the semi-finals. He was one of the favourites to win the whole thing so it’s a shame he got hurt. But he’ll heal up soon and rest assured there will be more to come from the young Italian one.

Jacopo Carozzi, stalefish.

Jacopo Carozzi, stalefish.

All in all thanks to Vans for the great Italian weekend. Sunshine, seafood and skateboarding… You really can’t go wrong with that combo. Can’t wait for next year! –Will Harmon

All photos by Sam Ashley

Robin Bolian, fs air.

Robin Bolian, fs air.

Vans Spring Classic 2015 Results:

1st place: Aurelian Giraud

2nd place: Alex Hallford

3rd place: Ivan Federico

Best Trick: Jacopo Carozzi

The VSC 2015 winners.

The VSC 2015 winners.

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Grant Taylor, frontside ollir.

Grant Taylor, frontside ollie.

Sebastian getting the beers in...

Sebastian getting the beers in…

Jordan Thackeray.

Jordan Thackeray, smith grind.

Ivan Federico, kickflip melon.

Ivan Federico, kickflip melon.

Ale Mazzara, 540.

Ale Mazzara, 540.

Alex Hallford, lien melon.

Alex Hallford, lien melon.

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“I got hit in the face by Alex Hallford’s board!” -Tyler Edtmayer

Grant Taylor, backside air.

Grant Taylor, backside air.