It had been seven years since skateboarding legend Ryan Sheckler last competed in an X Games.
Saturday, that all changed, as the 35 year old took 10th in the Games’ skateboard street event.
Sheckler entered the Games looking to have fun, but also to do well, he said. He left feeling as motivated as ever, reminded of why he still skates.
“Before I dropped in, I was like, ‘This is why I skate,’” Sheckler said. “I skate because it’s fun.”
Sheckler anticipated Salt Lake City crowds to show up in big numbers over the weekend. With lines stretching across the Utah State Fairgrounds for events like skateboard street, they showed up. Boisterous, too.
While Sheckler struggled on his first two runs, he sent the crowd into a frenzy on his last, nailing a leaping kickflip indy on his opening run through. The crowd was also loving the back-and-forth battle for the skateboard street gold between sporting great Nyjah Huston and established challenger Yuto Horigome, who eked out the win.
“All these fans love skateboarding, and I could just tell that they were hyped,” Sheckler added. “I wanted to do it for myself, but I wanted to do it for them, too.”
Sheckler also had the added motivation of skating for his family and peers. He would pop up into the crowd to share moments with his family between runs. All 12 competitors roared after each big trick.
While Sheckler is becoming an elder statesman at the games, he welcomes the role and wants to keep inspiring future generations. Signed up for next year’s X Games League, a four-event, international series, he said he’s motivated to build on this result.
“I’ve been competing with Nyjah since he was 11 years old; he’s 30 now, and I’m 35,” Sheckler said. “I’m fortunate enough to still be competing and getting to see the new generation. I’m such a fan of skateboarding.”
Huston is now chasing the same longevity as Sheckler. The 15-time gold medal winner said all the competitors were cheering on Sheckler.
“Man, Shecks is sick,” Huston said. “We’re all so high for him. It’s a good example of how you never really have to retire as a skateboarder. … You still pop out every now and then.”
Huston would love for the games to come back to Salt Lake. He hopes he left the next generation in the crowds as inspired as ever.
“It’s a great place to do a contest,” Huston added. “We loved that energy out there, so shout out to Utah. … I’m always trying to inspire as many people to skate as possible, and not only skate just for fun, but to take it to this level and be out here with us because the U.S. has got to keep it going.”