2008 AST Dew Tour wraps up to exciting finish

The 2008 AST Dew Tour has a freakishly exciting ending this year. The best one yet, in fact. In a nutshell, Chaz Ortiz won Skateboard Park, and Pierre-Luc Gagnon won Skateboard Vert at the AST Dew Tour PlayStation Pro in Orlando. Check the Dew Tour Guide for final scores and standings.

Chaz Ortiz is only 14 years old, and in his rookie season he won the finals for skateboard park, AND he gained the leading point position and won the whole tour. This is insane! Chaz, a brand spanking new skater, and young, just beat out guys like Ryan Sheckler and Paul Rodriguez! POW!

"I wasn't expecting to win," Ortiz said. "I came in here just wanting to have fun and I mean it all came together. To win it is ten times better."

Ortiz took the lead after his first run and improved his score on his second. He advanced to the 7-minute jam session where he rarely fell while executing technical tricks on the rails, including a flip frontside boardslide kickflip. The Chicago native finished at 92.75. With the Cubs' recent fall, this gives Chicago something to be extra proud of!

Paul Rodriguez of Tarzana, Calif. was second at 91.25 and Milwaukee's Greg Lutzka was third at 86.75. Three-time defending Dew Cup champion Ryan Sheckler finished 10th, which was shocking. But everyone has off days... it just stinks when that day is a final competition!

In skateboard vert, Pierre Luc Gagnon's victory earned him the Dew Cup as the season's point leader.

Gagnon's winning run included two 720's for the first time in AST competition, four 540's and numerous flip tricks and technical grabs. The 28-year-old from Canada finished at 96.00 points.

Andy Macdonald of Boston was second at 87.00 and Danny Mayer of Omaha, Neb. was third at 86.00.

"It feels amazing," Gagnon said. "After my second run I knew I was in first and I had nothing to lose. I just went for it. I've been trying to pull this run all year. Finally I pulled it on my first run, tried it on my second, and had my dream run on the last one. That's never happened."