Renner Steps Up; 33’ Is The Magic Number
LOS ANGELES – Ronnie Renner soared exactly one foot above the competition at the Moto X Step Up competition tonight, clearing the bar at 33’ on his first try. His fellow riders couldn’t follow and the mark was good enough for the gold.
13,827 fans were in the house at STAPLES Center tonight, and the second night of ESPN X Games 13 competition surged on in fine form as five top riders tried their hand at Step Up. The final four (Renner, Tommy Clowers, Brian Deegan and Matt Buyten) all cleared 32’, but it was the 30-year-old Renner alone who managed to leap the extra crucial foot.
“"I expected it to go longer with Tommy [Clowers] in the mix. I had some tough company,”" Renner said. "“I really thought we were going to break some records tonight, but I’ll take it.”"
Renner has made seven total X Games appearances, but this is his first gold medal in any event.
Since 2004, the X Games has only handed out a gold medal in Step Up, which meant that the three-way tie of Clowers, Deegan and Buyten were not sharing silver.
When asked if he thought he deserved a medal Clowers said, “"No, – I still get paid anyway.”"
Name / Hometown / Height (Feet)
1. Ronnie Renner / Westminster, CA / 33.00
2. Brian Deegan / Temecula, CA / 32.00
2. Matt Buyten / Minden, NV / 32.00
2. Tommy Clowers / Ramona, CA / 32.00
5. Jeremy McGrath / Encinitas, CA / 26.00
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