WDSC: El Salvador – Open Skate & Women Skate Highlights
WDSC: El Salvador – Open Skate & Women Skate Highlights
"The World Downhill Skateboarding Championship 2025 reached its intense and emotional finale in Tamanique, El Salvador, delivering a spectacle across the Open Skate and Women's Inline divisions. After a year of racing through four continents, legendary mountain roads, and unforgettable crashes, everything came down to this final stop-where adrenaline met culture, and riders pushed the limits of downhill sport.
El Salvador: A World-Class Stage for a World-Class Finale
Set between the Pacific Ocean and volcanic highlands, El Salvador welcomed athletes with open arms. From the surf-driven energy of El Tunco to a purpose-built race village in the mountains of Tamanique, riders, fans, and officials experienced hospitality unlike anything in WDSC history. Backed by the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the Office of the President, the country elevated the championship to new heights.
124 Riders, 17 Nations, One Ruthless Course
The field arrived ready for battle-124 riders from 17 countries, facing a 2.2 km downhill track packed with high-speed sweepers, blind technical corners, and punishing transitions. Even seasoned veterans like Zak Maytum admitted the course demanded total focus and adaptation.
Despite the women's championship already being decided, the unprecedented turnout of riders led officials to open the Women's Skate category to full competition-marking a milestone moment for the sport.
Open Skate: Fierce Battles, Shocking Eliminations & Rising Stars
The Open Skate competition kicked off with a stacked Round of 32, featuring South American standouts, WDSC veterans, and fresh talent ready to prove themselves.
Nick Broms dominated qualifying and early heats
Esneider Osorno, fresh off a QS podium, delivered bold passes and fearless racing
Harry Clarke, the defending champion, arrived determined to finish strong
Adrien Paynel, the season's points leader, looked unstoppable
Quarterfinals delivered carnage, high-risk passes, and wild momentum swings-setting up a semifinal showdown that included Clarke, Paynel, Carlotti, and Barbizzi.
Semifinal Drama
Owen Fox delivered one of the best runs of the weekend, overtaking Broms after riding inches off his wheels-before Broms suffered a heartbreaking crash into the hay bales. Paynel and Clarke advanced from the other semi after a masterclass in speed and race strategy.
Weather Ends the Finals Early
Just as riders prepared for the Open Skate final, rain swept across the mountain, creating unsafe conditions. After extended safety inspections, officials and athletes unanimously agreed to cancel the finals.
Final standings were determined based on earlier results:
1st Place: Adrien Paynel 2nd Place: Harry Clarke 3rd Place: Owen Fox
Women's Inline: Colombian Brilliance on the Big Stage
The Women's Inline field featured eight riders-all from Colombia-bringing elite talent, style, and fierce national pride to the final round.
Semifinals saw:
Alef Torres dominating from the start
Nancy Soriano advancing with clean, confident runs
Estrada Lopera delivering smart overtakes
Lina Yara fighting through a tactical semi to reach the final
Final: Torres Takes Control
Despite slippery, unpredictable surface conditions, Alef Torres launched with a massive lead and controlled the race from start to finish-claiming a decisive victory.