Mystic Sk8 Cup

Prague´s Mystic Sk8 Cup is a top contests for riders in the World Cup Skateboarding series and a European crowd favorite. Event categories are Streetstyle, Vert Ramp and, for the first time, a bowl contest. Pro sk8rs plus bowl equals tasty shit. The outdoor event usually hosts about 12,000 spectators and 200 pro skaters from 25 countries. 

Mystic Sk8 Shop owner Tomáš Rejman originally planned the open contest for sponsored team skaters to happen every other year, but its popularity changed that. Now in its 13th consecutive year, the Mystic Sk8 Cup is a showcase for international pros who blow the crowd away with video-game-style moves. It has hosted a who´s who of skating´s poster boys, including Jamie Thomas, Mark Appleyard and Tony Hawk.

“We want to make the event more attractive by raising the prize money from $30,000 to $40,000,” Rejman says. “We´re also happy to have a Girls´ Skate Jam for the first time.” There´s a serious music and art lineup with Freestylers (UK), Noise Of Human Art (DE) and Papaya Paranoia (JP) providing the soundtrack. There´ll also be DJ performances, an art exhibition, graffiti jam, video projections and various workshops (including one for putting your own design on a deck). The event is major for sure, with thousands of other spectators watching coverage on Internet broadcasts, Eurosport, and the Extreme Sports Channel.

So, with Prague being so rich in skater activity generally, who is the contingent representing the Czech capital in this World Event? It´s a one-man show. Step forward Petr Horvát. He´s been skating for 10 years and has competed at this event before. “MSC is my favourite competition for sure,” Horvát says. “It´s great to see people from other countries. I really like the skaters from Brazil.” When asked if he enjoyed the limelight of being the sole Czech competitor, he admits, “It´d be better to skate with more Czechs than alone.” Since that won´t happen this year, viewers will have to be satisfied with Horvát´s skills at this impressive event. They won´t be sorry.

Mystic Sk8 Cup 2006 will be held at Mystic Sk8 Park, Štvanice Island, Prague 7, from July 7 to 9. Tickets cost 790 Kč for a three-day pass (690 Kč in advance) or 350 Kč for one-day Saturday or Sunday tickets at the gate (200 Kč for Friday); a special freestylers ticket for Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. costs 300 Kč (250 Kč in advance).