Give it your best shot

Last year, the city of Barcelona served as a backdrop for street-credible skateboard clips; this year’s Red Bull Skate Shot is set to take place in Istanbul. Nine teams will be searching for the best skate spots in town, for good clips - and, in the process, for a way to China.

“Do you know what skateboarding is all about?” This question was asked by Team Austria, consisting of Philipp Schuster, Andi Fugger, Thomas Steinwender and Mario Wirnsberger, in 2005. They provide their own answer in a four-minute video documenting their skateboard safari through the streets of Barcelona (viewable at www.redbullskateshot.com). And their clip was so good that their rival teams voted it winner of the Red Bull Skate Shot 2005.

In November 2006, nine teams consisting of two to four skaters each will come together in Istanbul. Once arrived, they will have 72 hours to shoot and edit their clips. Red Bull Skate Shot, you see, won’t be decided by skateboarding skills alone - creative skills at the computer are also a major factor. And as last year, all participating teams will be judged by the competition: the competing teams will score the individual videos directly following their première. The team with the most points wins - not just Red Bull Skate Shot 2006, but also a trip to China. Because China - Shanghai, to be precise - is home to the biggest skate park on the planet.

Red Bull Skate Shot 2006 takes place from 2 to 4 November, and the search for the nine participating teams is still going on: skate teams from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, The Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Israel and Turkey have until 30 August to apply. In order to assure that no archival footage is submitted, all applicants must wear easily visible armbands, to be found in this year’s application folders, while on camera.
You’ll find a list of skate shops carrying stocking application forms at: www.redbullskateshot.com.