dooski_dan
Member
How come I don't see Sno Cross on the schedule? Is there no Sno Cross this year in the X Games? That was always the best part.
X Games Sno Cross
- Thread starter dooski_dan
- Start date
One of the longest-running Winter X Games events — Snowmobile SnoCross racing — will no longer be a part of the Winter X program, as of this coming January’s event in Aspen, Colo., X Games officials announced Thursday. SnoCross debuted in 1998 as the first motorized sport in X Games history, and had been contested every year since then. Speed & Style, which combines snowmobiling’s freestyle and racing disciplines, and adaptive SnoCross, are also being eliminated.
X Games Senior Director of Content Strategy Tim Reed said the decision to cut the events was complex and not tied strictly to budgets. “Ultimately, we’re trying to create and build the best event we can,” Reed said. “It’s never easy. We know there’s a lot going on in the industry and a lot of it is tied to the X Games. A lot goes into these decisions.”
The official statement read: “Each year the X Games monitor and evaluate the most appropriate sports for inclusion in each event and over time has continued to evolve in order to deliver the best product and most value for its athletes and fans. At this time, we decided that ESPN will focus on the disciplines of Snowmobile Freestyle and Best Trick and will not bring back the disciplines of SnoCross and Speed & Style to Winter X Games Aspen.
“SnoCross has been a great element of the Winter X Games for the past 14 years. We’ve enjoyed working with the athletes and look forward to seeing many of them in Aspen as they continue to compete in the other disciplines.”
Many of the sport’s top riders were informed of the decision Wednesday. “It’s a shock,” said Tucker Hibbert, the five-time defending SnoCross gold medalist and six-time winner overall. “Definitely wasn’t something we were expecting to hear.” Hibbert broke into the sport by winning his first SnoCross gold medal at age 15, making him the youngest gold medalist in Winter X Games history. He went on to compete in SnoCross for 12 of its 14 years at the X Games. “It’s been a big part of my professional racing career,” he said. “For me, one of the biggest letdowns is just not getting the opportunity to go for the six-peat.”
“On a business side, I can understand the X Games’ reasoning,” said four-time Snowmobile gold medalist Levi LaVallee, whose seven total medals include the SnoCross silver he earned in 2006. “But it’s just disappointing.”
X Games Senior Director of Content Strategy Tim Reed said the decision to cut the events was complex and not tied strictly to budgets. “Ultimately, we’re trying to create and build the best event we can,” Reed said. “It’s never easy. We know there’s a lot going on in the industry and a lot of it is tied to the X Games. A lot goes into these decisions.”
The official statement read: “Each year the X Games monitor and evaluate the most appropriate sports for inclusion in each event and over time has continued to evolve in order to deliver the best product and most value for its athletes and fans. At this time, we decided that ESPN will focus on the disciplines of Snowmobile Freestyle and Best Trick and will not bring back the disciplines of SnoCross and Speed & Style to Winter X Games Aspen.
“SnoCross has been a great element of the Winter X Games for the past 14 years. We’ve enjoyed working with the athletes and look forward to seeing many of them in Aspen as they continue to compete in the other disciplines.”
Many of the sport’s top riders were informed of the decision Wednesday. “It’s a shock,” said Tucker Hibbert, the five-time defending SnoCross gold medalist and six-time winner overall. “Definitely wasn’t something we were expecting to hear.” Hibbert broke into the sport by winning his first SnoCross gold medal at age 15, making him the youngest gold medalist in Winter X Games history. He went on to compete in SnoCross for 12 of its 14 years at the X Games. “It’s been a big part of my professional racing career,” he said. “For me, one of the biggest letdowns is just not getting the opportunity to go for the six-peat.”
“On a business side, I can understand the X Games’ reasoning,” said four-time Snowmobile gold medalist Levi LaVallee, whose seven total medals include the SnoCross silver he earned in 2006. “But it’s just disappointing.”
Sad to say but the "X" games has always been about extreme sports. Sno-X even though I love watching it isn't as extreme as they want. It doesn't bring in the audience especially with the younger crowd with snowboarding (nothing against it) and all. I also wouldn't be surprised at big corp's with their greenie type attitude had a little play on it. ****, I remember when one of the person's promoting the "X" games came on to a snowmobile site (this was long ago) and asked us our opinion of sno-x at the "X" games. Like stated above this was back in 98 or late 97 that they did this.
I would be completely shocked if snow x wasn't more popular than the skiing or boarding. Its the only reason I and my friends watched it. We'll see what kinda ratings they have when its done. I bet they'll be lower than normal.
Taking away snow cross is like taking away turn signs on the trial. Makes no sense to me!!
Taking away snow cross is like taking away turn signs on the trial. Makes no sense to me!!
I agree, but it all about the $$$$ and I too only watched it for the sled action. I really miss the hill cross event.
dooski_dan
Member
It was the only way to see sno cross on tv each year. What a bummer. The freestyle is nowhere near as good.
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Deleted member 10829
Guest
Not the case this year so far!
indy_500
Well-known member
It's not "Arctic Cat" it's Tucker and has been that way for years. If Tucker was on a Ski Doo, everyone would think Ski Doo was the best. He's the only worthy rider Cat has and brings home the hardware every weekend. Who's normally in Second? Ross Martin, and he doesn't drive a cat...
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Deleted member 10829
Guest
Indy,
Didn't you see the results from Duluth? If my memory is any good (and it's getting bad at my age) he didn't win at all and I think he won once at Canterbury. Not dominating quite like the past few years.
Didn't you see the results from Duluth? If my memory is any good (and it's getting bad at my age) he didn't win at all and I think he won once at Canterbury. Not dominating quite like the past few years.
700classic
New member
Watched that Moore kid take one he!!uva hit last night! If it were me,I'd probably still be lying there whimpering!
windingtrailgal
Active member
Kid DVR'd from last night and we watched again today. Those guys are nuts!
We miss the sno x too...was a big bummer when we found out it wasn't gonna be on. The battles with Tucker and Blair Morgan from back in the day were awesome. After Morgan got hurt, Tucker just ran away with them and it was amazing to see him just kill the rest of the field.
indy_500
Well-known member
Yes, his rear suspension cracked in half! lmao
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Deleted member 10829
Guest
Wow, I hadn't heard that! Pretty tough to finish when that happens!