What a way to kick off Day 1 of JACKALOPE Mississauga 2026! After yesterday's massive downpour, the skies completely cleared up for a perfect night under the bright lighting. The crowd was buzzing, and the energy was pure fire as the Best Trick Contests got underway. From the hungry up-and-comers in the Open categories to the Pro divisions presented by Visit Mississauga, the level of skateboarding was out of this world.
VERT & STREET OPEN BEST TRICK
The next generation and the local scene completely set the course on fire. In Vert Open Girl, Mazel Paris killed the game, while our Golden Ticket Kaede Fraser lit up the halfpipe her own way. On the street course, Koston Eaton handled business with a heavy gap to kickflip back lip on the kink rail. To top it all off, our Wild Card Lofo Nirina landed a perfect varial heelflip back lip right after the buzzer, putting a massive smile on everyone's face!
VISIT MISSISSAUGA VERT PRO BEST TRICK
France’s own Edouard Damestoy took the crown, blasting insanely high airs and sealing his victory with a jaw-dropping 720 grab. Juno Matsuoka left the crowd losing their minds by dropping seven 540s in a row! Rony Gomes threw a huge frontside heelflip over the 10-foot channel, Collin Graham went big with an elguerial, and Luke Kahler reached distance with a front blunt slide pop out over the channel. The session was also a massive celebration as the crowd cheered happy birthday on Jojo Jones and Richie Bullbrook!
VISIT MISSISSAUGA STREET PRO BEST TRICK
The street pro best trick contest presented by Visit Mississauga was pure madness. Koffe Kroon won by dominating the park with a mind-melting late shove-it gap to front board on the final down of the kink rail. In a wild crossover, Vert powerhouse Derek Scott hopped into the street mix, locking a heavy backside nose pick on the airport control tower extension! Micky Papa did wizardry with a laser flip back lip and switch flip back lip, Ben Paterson brought tech precision with a nollie heel back nose grind, and Jake Ilardi stomped a bigspin front board. The night ended in history with Mirai Akimoto landing a perfect kickflip back lip right after the buzzer—arguably the best women's trick ever in JACKALOPE history!
A massive thank you to all the athletes who put it all on the line, and a huge shoutout to the local crew and fans who came out to absolutely set the opening of this event on fire! Day 1 is in the books—see you all tomorrow, Saturday, for the main contest! Get ready for round two!
