VENTURA, Calif. — The crowd at X Games California 2023 witnessed history on Saturday.
Reese Nelson, a 10-year-old from Canada, became the youngest person to win a medal at the X Games, earning silver in the Pacifico Women’s Skateboard Vert.
“[Winning the medal] felt really good. I was just really wanted to land my lines,” Nelson told USA TODAY Sports. “So it felt really good. “
She had a score of 88.00 and sat in the gold medal position. She sent oohs and aahs through a large crowd during her second run as she floated in the air during her tricks.
Nelson was in position to finish on top until 13-year-old Australian Arisa Trew’s final run. Trew landed a 720 to close out a flawless run, becoming the first woman to do so in X Games history. She earned a 90.33 score to secure the gold medal.
Nelson looked in awe at the large crowd but stayed composed during her runs.
“There were a lot more people than I expected,” she said. “It was nerve wracking but the crowd actually helps me land my tricks.”
Legendary skater Tony Hawk has taken Nelson under his wing, working out with the Canadian. He was on the ESPN broadcast team during the Women’s Skateboard Vert.
Even though Nelson didn’t secure the gold in her first X Games, the event was a success.
“I thought it was really fun. Everybody skated so good,” she said. “I’m really glad about the way I skated.”
