Metzger, Hart Steal Show with the Flip

Monday, August 19, 2002

By Maria Elles Scott
XGames Correspondent

Mike "The Godfather" Metzger started a new era in Freestyle Moto X, while Carey Hart finished what he started a year earlier during the Big Air competition to end X Games VIII in Philadelphia on Monday evening in front of a jam-packed crowd at the First Union Center. Metzger landed a Backflip off the ramp, called The Godfather, in each of his three attempts, including a No-Handed Lander to end the event and seal the gold medal with a score of 95.00. Metzger was crowned best overall X Games athlete, winning a Fender guitar, following gold-medal performances in Freestyle, Big Air and a silver in Sunday's Step Up competition.

Metzger landed the first back-to-back Backflips in the Freestyle contest - which has been dubbed the "Double Fritz" - and kicked off his three-medal frenzy in Philadelphia, which culminated with Monday's finale that drew 37,270 people.

"I definitely had a plan coming in," said Metzger. "I had been thinking about it all day long. I'm psyched that I pulled three in a row. Four months ago I wasn't even doing Backflips because of Carey. It's not the smartest thing to do. But I'm still super-psyched."

Meanwhile, Hart - who fell from over 35 feet from a failed Backflip attempt in Big Air at X Games VII - took a pass on his first two attempts and set the stage for one of the biggest moments in X Games history.

With the crowd, including recording artist and girlfriend Pink, cheering him on, Hart nailed the flip and was engulfed by his fellow Moto X competitors in a wild celebration after his score of 94.67 was announced.

"I'm glad I did the Backflip," said a relieved Hart. "I got this monkey off my back. But I think I'm done with backflips."

Metal Mulisha frontman Brian Deegan brought home a bronze medal with a score of 90.33 to capture his sixth X Games medal (one gold, five bronze).

"I wasn't sure of my whole plan coming in," Deegan said. "I thought I might have to pull out one of my super-crazy tricks. That I didn't have to made me stoked. I like the X Games crowds. They are awesome. This is the Olympics of the next generation."

The X Games showcases 300 of the world's best action sports athletes competing in a variety of sports events for medals and more than $1 million in total prize money.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise more than 20 original hours of X Games VIII coverage starting August 17, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture, will offer extensive event coverage, including streaming video from the X Games.