Kingpin Magazine

The latest edition of the Helsinki Hookup skateboard contest took place from 8th to 11th August 2013. The event consisted of two parts, beginning with the Finnish National Championships and then moving on to the pro contest, both held in the old Helsinki ice hockey arena. As an added bonus, there was also a team contest in which eight pre-selected teams competed against each other.

Featuring skaters such as Wes Kremer, Ross McGouran and Tim Zom, the standard of the pro contest was exceptionally high, and eventual winner Robbin De Wit from the Netherlands had to be on top form to take away the first prize – his huge frontside 180 to switch crooked grind down the rail to finish was particularly impressive.

Local boy Jaako Ojanen emerged with the top prize from the best trick contest, while the women’s competition was won by Kristina Westad from Norway with Lisa Kindberg and Louisa Menke rounding out the podium places.

Previous winners of the event’s pro competition include Eniz Fazliov, Rick McCrank, Ali Boulala and PJ Ladd, who all say that they love Helsinki and the city’s special vibe – as well as the main competition, a number of sessions and parties are held around the city at the same time. Organisers say that the event is vital for the sport because it shows off skateboarding’s popularity and importance in Finland to an audience much bigger than is normally possible, therefore strengthening its position in society.