Jackson Strong wins X Games gold

Australia’s Jackson Strong has secured an X Games gold medal with victory in the Best Trick category at the Los Angeles Staples Centre on July 29.

The 19-year-old landed a perfect front flip his opening run, the first in the history of X Games, earning a 95.64 score from the judging panel.

A second run wasn’t needed for the competition’s youngest participant, and all that was left was to stand atop the dirt mound and soak up the applause.

Strong narrowly held off fellow countrymen Cameron Sinclair and Josh Sheehan to make it an all-Australian podium.

Strong’s compatriots Robbie Maddison and Blake Williams have also won medals in the world’s most prestigious action sports event.

“This is a dream come true, to me it is like winning a gold medal at the Olympics,” said Strong. “I had to put everything on the line knowing that the other guys would be tough to beat. The Aussies were on form tonight and I’m proud to be able to stand with them on the podium.

“This is redemption for me after my crash last year. I kept at it and trained so hard for this so it is an amazing feeling to finally take home the gold.”

Sinclair landed a world first double backflip combo – throwing a nac nac (bringing his right leg onto the left side of the motorcycle) midway between the two midair rotations. The stunt earned him a score of 94.66, while Sheehan – who landed his first ever double backflip in competition -- netted a score of 93.33.

For Sinclair the result was a satisfying one. Practice and lead up to X Games 17 had not been going to plan for the 27-year-old from Pearcedale (Vic); he only felt comfortable he could land the trick a matter of hours before having to compete in front of the world. His competition bike was also stolen only weeks prior, during a film shoot in the California desert.

“For the last two weeks this one trick has been my only focus and I just couldn’t figure it out,” Sinclair said. “Every time into the foam pit, the bike was twisting sideways on me. I knew if I didn’t get it right I was going to have a big crash.

"Winning another X Games medal means everything to me. I'd really like to thank everyone that has supported me in getting to this point; my sponsors, my family and friends; everyone has been amazing. I'll go back to the drawing board now and see what I can come up with for next year!"