RED BULL STREET STYLE CANADIAN QUALIFIERS HEAT UP
Jose Avalos is prepared to defend his status as Canadian Champ
It was a busy weekend of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Germany, Italy, Denmark and Serbia all clinching berths in Europe; Chile booked their ticket to South Africa in South American qualification; and in North America it was the USA, Mexico, Jose, Jaime, Derek, Pablo, Edward and Craig all qualifying. Well, not exactly...those last six guys actually finished top 3 at the Red Bull Street Style Toronto and Vancouvers qualifiers respectively and have all earned a spot in the Red Bull Street Style National Final on November, 15 in Toronto.
It was a successful start to Canadian qualifying with the Toronto qualifier kicking off first on Saturday and the Vancouver qualifier happening the next day. The Toronto qualifier took place under sunny skies outside BMO Field before an MLS match between Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes. Jose Avalos defended his Toronto title and will be out to defend his National title next month. The qualifier was covered by CBC Sports, who ran a great spot during their half-time report. The Toronto Sun were also on hand and they featured a Red Bull Street Style photo gallery in their on-line Sunday edition.
Immediately following the TO qualifier, our MC, freestyle soccer legend Steve 'Eli Freeze' Elias, jumped on a plane to Vancouver to help manage that event. In Vancouver there was also a new and very impressive venue this year, The Roundhouse in downtown Vancouver. But the end result was similar to Toronto's with Pablo Villalta also defending his Vancouver title. CBC had a camera crew there too and will be reported on this qualifier this past weekend during more World soccer action.
The third and final Canadian qualifier takes place this Sunday, October 25 at McGill University in Montreal. The Red Bull Street Style National Final is scheduled for Sunday, November 15 at the CBC HQ in downtown Toronto. From there the winner will go on to represent Canada at the Red Bull Street Style World Final in April, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.
