Talve Kuningas Rula contest

March 27, 2023

Ralf Rasmus Ralf Rasmus

Words and photos by Nicolas Bouvy

Last Saturday “Talve Kuningas” contest was on. Organised by Sisu, Nightwood Skateboards and Pääsküla Noortekeskus. We promised a good dose of adrenaline, awakening some muscles and promises were kept. The riders pushed themselves over their limits! Two categories were held on the course of Pääsküla Noortemaja Skatepark, under 18 years old and the 18+. Sadly we did not have the girls/women contestants showing up. For the young guns category, a crew came from Tartu, and even a Narva-Jõesuu representative, Villiam Müller, came to compete against the capital’s locals. And it was a tight competition. Grisha Barbashin was heating the rails so bad it made the wax melt under his trucks, leaving the metal ready for Ralf Rasmus’ flip-ins and crooked grinds’ landings. As his other southern mate, Tartu representative Nikita Maierr went fast and powerful on his tricks, like his 50-50 to flip out the ledge. Not forgetting Michael Artamonenkov, Kevin Kuning and Juša Danik who did not come to be spectators and play it shy, they all raised the bar real high. They gave more than they got, especially on the finish with the best trick grand finale!

Grisha Barbashin

Juša Danik

Kevin Kuning

Ralf Rasmus

Ralf Rasmus

Nikita Maierr

Nikita Maierr

Michael Artamonenkov

Villiam Müller

And so after the park and the crowd were ready for the Pro/Am guys! No one would leave us a second to rest our eyes, some street specialists mastered big long grinds on rails and were hitting every metal line and corner in the park. Kristo Õismets is such a stylish and natural rider, the dude was really in position of close rivals with his team mate Siim Sild and Andris Kaldvee for the podium. All three went nuts on flip tricks, in, out, you name it! The real fun part came from our one and only, Jaagup Mägi, my personal favourite, as he just shared how fucking fun it can be to ride four wheels under a wooden stick, and was stylish as always. What would a proper contest be without him!? Younger riders like Mamos Skrill, Mark Hans and Ralf Ramsus, who did not have enough from the first heat, took another run in that category. The three were real hungry and would not allow the old wolves to let their guard down. Filip Veiderma was one wise voracious canine and showed us how to never give up! Which leaves us with the last two contestants to present. First, Kristjan Eier, he was so clean and smooth, it was just a feast for the eyes!
And last, one guy who just got heat up and heat up after each of his runs, concluding in a fireworks outcome! I’m talking about a massive transfer to wall-ride, he landed after a handful of tries. And for the icing on the cake, finished with an insane invert on top of the huge vert quarter. Conquering his fears, he showed us how it’s done. You will recognize him, that wild cat was Meelis Erm.
So thanks to all who came, contestants, public, the Pääsküla Noortemaja Skatepark crew, Tom from Sisu.