“The picnic table hosted many a one-footer and the Vans Quarter Pipe was handplant heaven”

The quality of riding was insane, and the jam format kept everything feeling really loose. The creativity of the riders was ramped up thanks to the ‘no spins over 720’ rule and they were throwing down heaters all over the course. The picnic table hosted many a one-footer and the Vans Quarter Pipe was handplant heaven. Style is king at the Vans Hi Standard Series, this ain’t no spin to win bullshit.

The Vans team riders were busy lapping the park to pump up the crowd and handing out Van Doren Dollars to riders who were laying down the sauciest tricks. Vans Euro TM Bruno was running round like a blue arsed fly making sure everything was running smoothly, and dipping out occasionally to take a few laps. MC Nikita Sekh was on the mike as the best Russian hype man we’ve ever seen getting the crowd going and egging the riders on. He wrapped up the day by presenting the awards for ‘Worst Bail’, ‘Best Trick’, ‘Mens MVP’ and ‘Womens MVP’ to a champagne shower. Both the MVP’s win an all-expenses paid trip to Brighton, Utah for the finals at the end of March. The riders all killed it, going heavy run after run and putting on a big show for the gathered crowd.

“In America you can always find a party. In Russia the party always finds you.”- Yakov Smirnoff

What contest is complete without a rager afterward? We headed down to a small bar that Nikita recommended that evening, and the whole of Sochi must have been squeezed in there. We were promised Russian techno, buttloads of wodka and a sausage fest dance floor, and I’m happy to report all three boxes were checked.

We headed home the next day, suitably hungover with the smell of stale vodka lingering in the taxi. Huge shoutout to the Vans crew for organising the trip, all the riders, and the whole Sochi Squad. Keep your eyes peeled for the next six stops on the Hi Standard Series tour and the finals in Brighton 27-29th March. Peace out Mother Russia, until next time.