2002 FCR World Championship Slalom Skateboarding Series

Professional Skateboarding Racing Comes to San Francisco

Comet Skateboard's "Battle By The Bay"

Check the 2001Moro Bay Slalom photo gallery >>

Catalina Classic >>

The season opening event of the 2002 FCR World Championship Slalom Skateboarding Series
will take place March 23^rd and 24 ^th at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. Racing will begin both days at 10:00am. Signs will direct spectators to event site.

The "Battle by the Bay" is being sponsored by Oakland based, Comet Skateboards, a leading manufacturer of racing and conventional skateboards.

The event will be have an international flavor, as racers from England, Australia and Trinidad are registered to compete alongside skateboarders from across the United States.

The race is part of an eight race series to be contested in locations throughout the western United States, culminating in the World Championships to be held October 11th, 12th, and 13th in Morro Bay, California.

Unlike the skateboard events seen on television almost daily, skateboard racing is not a subjective judged event open to controversy. The FCR Series is electronically timed, high-speed, head to head racing, usually contested on city streets. Spectators can view the whole race; start to finish, from a single vantage point. They can see the emotions etched on the racer's faces as they struggle to best their opponent, as well as experience the danger that results from a racer attacking the course too aggressively and slamming to the pavement at 25mph. It is a competition that everyone can relate to, even those with no previous skateboard racing exposure. After all, everyone can understand two racers racing against each other, and the clock. The race fans come to know the racers, and choose their favorite as they make their way back up the hill, walking through the crowds lining the racecourse.

The exciting head to head racing format pits one racer against the other on two identical side-by-side courses. The racers are given two qualifying runs to establish their seeding position.

Thirty-two racers advance to the head to head round. The racer with the fastest qualifying time is matched against the slowest qualifier, the second fastest against the second slowest, until all 32 positions are filled. To advance to the next round a racer must have a lower cumulative time than his opponent. Each round is single elimination, sudden death, you lose...you sit.

Skateboard racing is fundamentally different in that an athlete can perform at a world class level over a much more extended career. Currently, competitive pro racers range in age from 20 to 50 with the current World Champion Gary Cross at 38. This allows a much broader cross section of the public to identify with and enjoy the competition. Additionally, many of the racers of today, former Vert World Champion Steve Olson for example, have transferred their desire to win from other areas of skateboarding. It would not be surprising to find that many of today's Street and Vert stars become more focused on racing competition as time passes. These stars will bring along much of their current fan base, further expanding interest in the sport.

When you review the FCR Series schedule you will see that the venues include some of the most visually interesting and photogenic locations in the western U.S. We expect to draw between 65 and 100 racers per event from the U.S. and Europe. The regional diversity of the participants adds an exciting dimension for the fans as well. Last years World Championship race between America's Gary Cross and Switzerland's Maurus Stroble gave everyone a favorite to root for in a race that was decided only by a tremendous come from behind American victory in the last heat of the day.

The first two events of the 2002 FCR World Championship Slalom Skateboarding Series already have over 55 entrants registered for each event.

On April 20^th and 21^st the action moves to Catalina Island for the Catalina Classic. Skateboard racing's most famous race ever was held on the streets of Avalon in October 1977. The FCR series will reprise the race, although on a different course than the original, the racing will be more competitive than ever. Once again, both "head to head" dual slalom and giant slalom will be contested.

FCR 2002 World Pro Slalom Skateboard Racing Series

Event                           Location                     Dates

Battle By The Bay   San Francisco, CA      23-24 March

The Catalina Classic   Avalon, CA              20-21 April

The Sierra Cup           Tahoe, CA                 18-19 May

The High Peaks Drifter  Breckenridge, CO   7-8 June

The La Costa Open    La Costa, CA             20-21 July

Rose Festival Classic  Portland, OR            10-11 August

The Cowboy Cup    Jackson Hole, WY       15-16 Sept.

2002 World Championships   Morro Bay, CA    11-13 Oct.

For more information on press credentials, competing or sponsorship contact:
Jack Smith 805-597-5722
Don O'Shei 415-332-5756

Check the 2001Moro Bay Slalom photo gallery >>

Catalina Classic >>

For results info check out http://www.fcrseries.com