The Final Results for the ONE Blade Awards are ready to release! These awards are the result of more nominations and completed votes than ever before. Way to go, everyone!
2023 was another year of progress for the blading community as we found new faces, welcomed a class of younger skaters, and saw more widespread appreciation for blading by outlets like The New York Times than we’ve seen, well, maybe ever. Winterclash came roaring back, new skate brands emerged, and the full-on embrace of cross-platform respect for quads and bladers deepened further. Which is all to say that the evolution of blading may not be televised, but it sure is taking place every day, in ways both big and small that each of us plays a part in perpetuating.
That is why these awards exist. As is our annual ritual now 14 years rolling, we take time to collect opinions from bladers far and wide to concentrate global blade sentiment to record a time capsule of blading in 2023. With these awards, the blade community determines a benchmark of agreed upon standards to carry forward. It’s also a chance to celebrate the people, events, and products that make blading not only possible, but are working tirelessly to push forward to new horizons for our culture.
So here they are, the final results of thousands of nominations and votes. Starting with an open field you nominated your favorites in each category, and then those Top 3 candidates were presented for final voting. This is all determined by you, ONE readers and bladers around the world. Take a moment to congratulate yourselves for taking part in blade democracy — You made this possible! — but also share a celebratory cheer for the great bladers that earned themselves a place on this list.
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[PEOPLE]
SKATER OF THE YEAR
Sean Kelso (42%)
Runners Up:
Julien Cudot (41%)
Nils Jansons (17%)
BLADIE OF THE YEAR
Chynna Weierstall (44%)
Runners Up:
Nicoly Machado (36%)
Tais Colares (20%)
BREAKOUT BLADER OF THE YEAR
Danilo Senna (45%)
Runners Up:
Michael Kraft (34%)
Gabe Talamantes (21%)
MOST VISIBLE BLADE INFLUENCER
Nils Jansons (40%)
Runners Up:
Savosin Ilia (31%)
Ben Sanders (29%)
[EVENTS]
BEST EVENT OR CONTEST
Winterclash (53%)
Runners Up:
BCSD 2023 (25%)
Metrocard Classic (22%)
BEST EVENT OR CONTEST PERFORMANCE
Julien Cudot – Various Events (46%)
Runners Up:
Joe Atkinson – Various Events (30%)
Eugen Enin – NYC Invite (24%)
[INDUSTRY]
BRAND OF THE YEAR
Them Skates (41%)
Runners Up:
USD (31%)
Mesmer (28%)
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
Bacemint x Them Skates (41%)
Runners Up:
Standard Skate Company Omni (34%)
Mesmer Team Skate (25%)
BLADE SHOP OF THE YEAR
Oak City Skates (48%)
Runners Up:
Loco Skates (39%)
Carriers Skateshop (13%)
ANGRY YOUTH AWARD FOR BEST MARKETING
Mesmer Skates (39%)
Runners Up:
Them Skates (32%)
Standard Skate Company (29%)
[MEDIA]
BEST EDIT OF THE YEAR (BLADER)
Sean & Colin Kelso – “Bacethem 2023” (56%)
Runners Up:
Savosin Ilia – “Heat” (24%)
Josiah Blee – “Illegal Smiles” (20%)
BLADE VIDEOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Sean Kelso (55%)
Runners Up:
Dom West (30%)
Cavin Brinkman (15%)
BLADE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Sam Cooper (50%)
Runners Up:
Kirill Braynin (27%)
Steve Steinmetz (23%)
BLADE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Tom Moyse (42%)
Runners Up:
Jump Street Podcast (34%)
Ben Sanders/iRollerboot (24%)
Those are your 2023 ONE Blade Award winners! Join us in giving each of them a giant round of applause!
Amazingly, Chynna has won BOTY an unprecedented three times in a row! And this year Sean joins the elite ranks of previous repeat SOTY champs like Eugen Enin, Joe Atkinson, and Nils Jansons. It’s hard enough making an impact in our global scene, but these individuals have gone above and beyond, establishing a true legacy that bladers will remember for years to come.
In fact, each of these people, products and events has made a lasting impact on rollerblading in 2023, and we celebrate them all — and you — for lacing up your blades and being part of our global community.
See you in the streets…
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Photos used from social media with thanks and appreciation
