The Winter X Games are one of the most anticipated sporting events in alternative sports. It provides an outlet for snowboarders, skiers and all around freestylers. This year, the events have been exciting and Men's Slopestyle finals were action packed. Herik Harlaut was actually knocked out while trying to go big. Also, two of the sports top competitors, Mark McMorris and Stale Sanbech, competed neck and neck for the gold medal.
For many, the X Games are almost on par with the Olympics.
True, the competition is not near the size, but it does seem to fit in the same category. Plus, like the Olympics, the winter games feature the top snow-based athletes in the world.
Winter X Games VIII, in 2002, was the first time that an X-Games event was televised live. It proved to be a huge year for the games and ESPN.
From there, extreme sports took a more serious role in the minds of fans.
Each year, athletes come with bigger and bigger tricks, and sometimes injuries ensue. According to TMZ Sports, Henrick Harlaut ate it hard after trying to pull off something impressive:
"Pro skier Henrik Harlaut was knocked out cold Saturday during an X Games Aspen event...and the footage is frightening. It all went down during the Men's Slopestyle finals...when Harlaut landed a trick the wrong way and took a gnarly tumble -- leaving the 23 year-old motionless as medics rushed in to help. The Swedish skier eventually sat up before being stretchered off the mountain...and waved to everyone letting them know he's OK while plastering a giant smile across his face."
Its never a good thing when someone receives bodily harm, but, luckily, Harlaut turned out to be ok.
This wasn't the only exciting event at this year's game, either. According to Snowboarder, two tyrants went after each other in the finals:
"Two of the most talented snowboarders on the competitive circuit went neck and neck in the X Games Slopestyle finals in Aspen today, topping out their best runs with only one point difference between them. Mark McMorris took home the gold medal and Stale Sandbech earned silver. [When watching] the side-by-side replay of their runs; it was a tight match up."
Did you tune in to this year's games? Let us know your opinions in the comment section below
