X Games brings highlights to South Coast | Sports

It was a high-flying action-packed weekend just a few miles down the coast at the X Games, which returned to the Ventura County Fairgrounds for the second straight year and brought together the best athletes in skateboarding, BMX and motocross.

Over three days, the competition delivered record-breaking performances from all-time legends and newcomers to the game alike, along with a chance for some local skaters to compete in the amateur “Battle of the 805” on the same course as the pros.

The Women’s Skateboard Finals ended with three young skaters who are proving to be the best in the world: 17-year-old Japanese skater Miyu Ito took gold and became the first rookie to win Skateboard Street; nine-year-old Mia Kretzer from Australia became the youngest medalist ever in Skateboard Vert Best Trick; and 14-year-old Arisa Trew took the gold in Skateboard Vert for the second year in a row.

Women competed in BMX Park for the first time in X Games history, with Hannah Roberts and Perris Benegas taking the gold and silver, respectively. In Men’s BMX, it was one of the best in the world, Kevin Peraza – the only rider to ever win in BMX Dirt, Street, and Park – who once again claimed the gold in both the Street and Park finals.

Skateboard superstar Nyjah Huston then took centerstage during the Skateboard Street Finals, where he claimed his 14th gold medal – tying Bob Burnquist’s record for the most gold medals in skateboarding history. Later, Huston would take another gold in Best Trick, tying the all-time X Games record of 15 gold medals.

But one of the highlights of the weekend – at least for a few Carpinteria locals – was the “Battle of the 805,” which brought out some of the best young skaters from across Santa Barbara County for an opportunity to skate in a “locals only” contest on the same ramps as the pros.

Lighthouse Skate Shop brought Carpinteria skaters Kato Suarez and brothers Isaac and Aaron Relis, who each shredded the course and showed off skills they work on every day at the Carpinteria Skate Park. After skating in the finals on Saturday, Isaac Relis came out on top in first place among the teenagers.

“Epic day at the X Games Battle of the 805 finals today,” wrote Lighthouse Skate Shop owner Naren Porter-Kasbati in a social media post celebrating the victory. “So many good skaters from the 805! We’re lucky to be part of such a great community!”