On Thursday evening the Spine Mini contest at the FISE was called off after a few riders rode because the ramp became too slippery to continue. It was decided that on Friday evening, a straight final would be held, hoping the ramp wouldn't get as moist. 25 riders lined up for a battle in front of what must have been a record crowd for a miniramp contest ever. Each rider got two runs each to show their miniramp skills plus three attempts to pull the "last trick" that they had in mind. It was fair and the same for everyone on the ramp. From the start the riders didn't hold back. The crowd was alive and kicking and the riders got pumped. Dean Cueson (UK) and Chris Courtenay (AUS) went super high where others added extra barspins to their tricks (quadruple barspin over the spine for instance) or stuck a leg over the toptube to do a cancan 720 over the spine (Todd Meyn). But the winner in the end was Daniel Sandoval (USA), followed by Logan Martin (AUS) and Kevin Peraza (USA). Each of them was ripping in their own ways. Can't wait what the Park contest is going to bring. 
Over in the UK a vert series is on the program for 2013. The first round took place at Adrenaline Alley in Corby. These are the results and the standings after the first event.Vert Pro:
1 Paul Meacher
2 Mark Atkins
3 Fabian Giess
4 Denis Wingham
5 Jon Barnett
6 Paul Jones
7 Mike Mullen
8 Sam Ward
9 John Foster
10 Zach Shaw
Vert Ams:
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.