X Games: Amateurs hit the street for some skateboarding

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The Hometown Heroes Amateur Skateboard Street elimination round is in full swing on the final day of X Games 17 in downtown Los Angeles.

Though it’s not on TV, fans in the stands get to see some of the best teen skaters from across the nation coverging in L.A. for this signature final event.

A spokeswomen for the tour said that Hometown Heroes takes place over three months in major cities across America. In each city, a skate competition features all the best amateurs in the area, and the winner of each local event gets a spot in the X Games event. A handful of other standouts come by special invitation to the field of 32.

PHOTOS: X Games 17 flies high at Staples Center

Skaters are currently performing one-minute individual intro runs, then five-minute jam sessions that judges will score. The top 10 skaters will advance to the final later this afternoon, with the winner taking home a $5,000 check.

Julian Christianson has won this event three of the last four years and currently leads the elimination round with a score of 91 points.

This is the third year the X Games has hosted the Hometown Heroes final.

RELATED:

X Games’ safety a question as tricks get more dangerous

Nyjah Huston breaks through for Skateboard Street win

Vicki Golden goes wire to wire for Women’s Moto X Racing gold

--Matt Stevens