2023 SLS CHICAGO RESULTS
The SLS Championship Tour kicked off its 2023 season at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena on April 29 introducing a new knock-out round format where the skaters are divided into four heats of five skaters each, with the winner advancing directly to the final. The remaining two spots in the final are given to the highest-scoring skater from all heats combined and to the winner from the last event.
In the men’s final it was Brazil’s Kelvin Hoefler who walked away with the win after an exciting battle with Ryan Decenzo that came down to the last trick where Hoefler dealt with the pressure and put down a Caballerial tailslide to fakie for a score of 9.0 and the win.
The win was Kelvin’s first SLS win since 2015 and with the new SLS format for 2023, Heofler is not only directly qualified for the next SLS Championship Tour Final in Japan, but the Brazilian has also secured his spot in the 2023 SLS Super Crown Final.
After the event, Hoefler said "I'm really happy! This crowd here, I love Chicago so much. I'm gonna cry, you know. It's been a battle but I love skateboarding,"
Nyjah Huston looked strong in his return to SLS competition after a long hiatus due to an ACL injury, finishing in third place.
However, the defending SLS Super Crown champion and bookie favorite, Portugal's Gustavo Ribeiro, had an off night, finishing in sixth place.
In the women’s final Rayssa Leal continued her winning streak, claiming her fifth straight SLS title and a spot at the 2023 SLS Super Crown Final. As usual, the clutch queen waited until the last trick to seal the deal, landing a frontside bluntslide down the big Hubba.
"I'm so happy to be here in Chicago. It's my very first time here!" said Leal after the event. "I was too nervous [before]... and afraid. The girls were killing it. It was super to be here in Chicago. The final was so crazy."
RESULTS MEN:
1. KELVIN HOEFLER
2. RYAN DECENZO
3. NYJAH HUSTON
4. JAGGER EATON
5. FELIPE GUSTAVO
6. GUSTAVO RIBEIRO
RESULTS WOMEN:
1. RAYSSA LEAL
2. MOMIJI NISHIYA
3. ROOS ZWETSLOOT
4. FUNA NAKAYAMA
5. YUMEKA ODA
6. CHLOE COVELL
