MASH delights 81,000 visitors

A total of 81,000 visitors flocked to the site over the three days and enjoyed a fantastic action sports festival, peppered with top-class international wakeboard, skateboard and BMX contests and the diverse MASH Fest, which once again showcased the lifestyle and culture of action sports in an outstanding way.

MASH is undoubtedly a highlight in the Olympic Park's calendar of events, which, thanks to the continuous support of the State Capital of Munich and sponsors, has always presented something new since 2014. The event enjoys the highest international reputation among the athletes. And one thing is certain: for the public - whether fan or action sports layman - MASH is a must-attend event in Munich's summer calendar.

The skateboard contests
It was a furious finale for the skateboarders on Sunday: the fans didn't have to wait long for first-class skating, as the six athletes delivered in the very first run. Naia Laso from Spain, second in the world rankings, not only made a statement with an outstanding first run and 86 points but also secured the gold medal of the MASH contest with this run. Great Britain's Lola Tambling came second with 82 points, just like in 2023. Both Naia and Lola showed skateboarding at its best. Brazil's Yndiara Asp and Julia Benedetti (ESP) battled it out for second and third place, with the better outcome in favour of the Spaniard, who took third place with a score of 78 points. Yndiara Asp came fourth, while Italy's Lucrezia Zarattini and Alisa Fessl from Austria finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Saturday saw the big showdown at the skateboarding finals - and it was a tough one. The athletes put on a top-class contest. As in 2023, Spaniard Danny León deservedly secured victory. He had three stay-on-runs, improved from run to run and showed his exceptional skills throughout. The battle for second place between Tyler Edtmayer from Lenggries and Luigi Cini (BRA) was extremely exciting: After the first run Tyler was ahead of the Brazilian, in the second Cini pushed past the German skater. But Tyler didn't give in and secured the silver medal of this year's men's skateboard contest at MASH in the final run. Fourth to eighth place went to Jake Wooten, Elias Nilsen, Ramon Notz, Vincent Matheron and Jason Ljinzaat.

Four winners were crowned in the subsequent best trick competition. Naia Laso (ESP) won the women's first feature with a ‘Kickflip Indy over the box’ and Luigi Cini won the men's with a ‘Backside 360 Kickflip Stalefish Grab’. Lola Tambling and Jake Wooten won the second feature with a ‘Frontside Rock'n'Roll’ and a ‘Transfer Frontside 5050 to fakie’ respectively.

The BMX contests
What a finale! The BMX riders gave it their all in the last contest run on Sunday, and it remained exciting right up to the very last trick. It was only in the third run, i.e. with his very last attempt, that Jacob Thiem from the USA snatched victory with 89.33 points, just ahead of his compatriot Nick Bruce, who scored 89.00 points. His first run didn't really go smoothly, the second was much better, but in the third Jacob put all his eggs in one basket. He shook up the set-up with a big trick combo and impressed the judges with the highest score of the day. For a long time, it looked as if Nick Bruce, who had already come second in 2024, would be at the top this time. His banger tricks gave him a good chance. But things turned out differently in the end. Croatian Marin Rantes caused another surprise. In his final run, he overtook Britain's Tom Justice, the ‘trick monster’ and last year's winner, to take bronze. Dean Florian from Remscheid put in a consistently strong performance and finished in respectable sixth place. Sikharin Supanmart from Dresden then provided another real show-stopping moment. In his final run, he went so high and far into the air that he landed with his bike in the Olympic Lake. The audience on the lawn steps naturally celebrated the action in style. Sasha Cambon from France finished in seventh place.

MASH novelty was already on the programme for the BMX riders on Saturday: they competed in a team contest for the first time, which had also never been held in this special format before. The riders competed in four teams consisting of three riders each, who were drawn by lot on Thursday evening. The riders in each team only had one run of 20 seconds each in the heats - there was no time for restraint. Everyone had to show what they were capable of from the first moment. The teams of Tom Justice (GBR) with Jose Cedano (CHI) and Sikharin Supanmart (GER) and Dean Florian (GER) with Paul Thölen (GER) and Jude Jones (GBR) made it to the final. In the end, Team Florian won the new contest with 238.66 points, which went down extremely well with both the riders and the spectators on the lawn steps. And with this success, top German rider Paul Thölen was able to make up for his elimination in the qualification for the individual contest.

The wakeboard contests
In the run-up to the final, the question arose as to which of the Stuckey brothers would win this year's wakeboarding final and be celebrated as the winner by the thousands of fans lining the Olympic Lake. The answer came early on Sunday evening. In contrast to 2024, this time it was Trent who won the contest with 89 points. He was closely followed by his younger brother Gavin with a score of 87 points. But the Stuckeys' triumph was not a foregone conclusion in this highly exciting and top-class final. Britain's Joe Battleday, for example, risked everything in his final run and secured third place with a trick he had never done before and 86 points. Liam Peacock (GBR) came fourth and the young Australian Benny Heatley, who was celebrating his MASH premiere this year, came sixth. Max Milde, the only German in the final, made it to fifth place despite two crashes. The other German riders, Nico v. Lerchenfeld and Dominik Gührs, were eliminated this year and Felix Georgii from the Allgäu cancelled his participation due to injury.

Things got serious for the wakeboarders on Saturday afternoon. And the six top athletes impressively showed what they are capable of. Italian Claudia Pagnini secured victory by a wide margin with the first of her three runs. None of her competitors were able to match her score of 89.33 and the runner-up from 2024 was crowned this year's winner. Katinka Buiting (NED) came second. And just like last year, the youngest in the field, 17-year-old Campell Scarborough (USA), took third place - but she made it exciting, as she only secured her place on the podium with her final run. Fourth to sixth place went to last year's winner Rivers Hendrick (USA), Courtney Angus (AUS) and Elena Bodi (ESP).

The team contest in the new double line format on Friday evening was won by Great Britain's Liam Peacock together with Nico von Lerchenfeld (Cologne). Benny Heatley (AUS) and Campell Scarborough (USA) came second. Third place went to Felix Georgii from the Allgäu region and Basty Dunn (AUS).

The MASH Fest
The die-hard MASH fans know it, others were able to experience it for the first time this year. MASH is so much more than "just" a fascinating action sports event at the highest international level. The weekend in the Olympic Park offers the complete package. Excitement and thrills, but also art, culture and music - in short, the action sports lifestyle. A colourful supporting programme for watching and participating, for celebrating and relaxing. A casual chill-out area invited visitors to linger and relax, while a variety of activities such as skateboarding, dance and graffiti workshops offered an unforgettable experience. From a wide range of food trucks and musical entertainment to artistic performances, there was something for all senses. A special highlight on Friday evening was the Crux Pistols, who fired up the MASH Square. On Saturday, the Red Bull Summer Vibes invited guests to the Dance Your Style Showcase and on the mini ramp at MASH Square there was not only free skating, but also the chance to win something at the ‘Chips for Tricks’ session. And later in the evening, it was doors open for the Red Bull After Party @MASH.

We are happy to make film and photo material from MASH available on our Scoopa platform. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to Melanie Listl, ml@munich-mash.com, and we will set up an account for you.

Futher Information: www.munich-mash.com