Throughout America, in an alarming trend, Women’s Rights are increasingly under attack, as if the clock is being rolled back from 2024/2025 to a time before many of us were alive. But within the blading community the rising tide of respect and appreciation for our female counterparts continues to reach new heights — and following a fitting display of blading skill, this year’s Blading Cup could be respectfully rechristened The Bladie’s Cup.

Bladies owned the first day, getting the crowd fired up and capturing everyone’s attention, a dominant display that continued into the twilight hours as they closed out Friday night. It was really exciting to be there and see so many bladers pushing themselves and vibing on the crowd. Drew Humphrey and Steve Steinmetz were on the course to capture photos and we’re stoked to showcase this collection of great moments from the event. Congrats to all the competitors! Look for even more in Issue #28.

* * * *

Becci Sotelo: With a smooth and effortless style that floats on the coping while linking technical moves, Becci Sotelo is a talented veteran Bladie that never let motherhood or life slow down her blading ambitions! Like how she came to California from the UK on a trip in 2008 and decided to call it home! Now repping Echo Skates we’re excited to see her grab some extra recognition for all the positivity she brings to every session.

Kayla Dizon: Putting on an absolute demonstration of impeccable grinding stance across the bank to dumpster, Kayla Dizon had her tricks on lock. Most impressive is her relatively short tenure on bladers, having told the New York Times in 2023 that she’d first tried skating in 2020 during the pandemic. From first time on blades to impeccable top acids at Blading Cup four years later is no joke! What a story.

Jane Osbourne: Following a similar trajectory to Kayla in that she’s only been on blades for a few years since the pandemic, Jane Osborne had the crowd hanging on her every attempt as she launched over the dumpster with a boosty straight air… but took some incredible slams along the way to success. It was a hardcore display of dedication that earned instant respect and had people buzzing.

Daniela Salgado: Another skater that’s not afraid to put it on the line is Daniela Salgado. We saw we take a super-tough slam on the big down rail at Winterclash a couple years ago (it’s in our 2023 edit) then get right back up and land it. Super sick! She’s fearless on big parks and obstacles, and she left her mark on the Blading Cup course making good use of the dumpster and the big wedge throughout the day.

Emi Parejo: Whether it’s at Winterclash, the World Skate Games, or on the street course at Blading Cup, Emi Parejo skates with power and purpose. Check out her clips from the Franky Morales Invitational — she killed it. She’s also been battling pain from a past injury, and is back on her skates after a long recovery — it’s great to have her blading at full strength!

Tais Colares: One of the most exciting breakout skaters of the recent past is Tais Colares, and she reminded everyone of that fact as she laced tricks across the course. As the newest recipient of a pro Loca skate from Razors it’s clear that blading with the JSF crew has helped an already very talented blader further enhance her skills with the repeated experience of seasoning with one of the longest enduring and most influential crews. She may have been the only skater all weekend to disaster from the top of the dumpster to the down rail! (If we’re wrong please let us know in the comments!)

Chihiro Azuma: Speaking of braking barriers, Chihiro Azuma is a blade steez goddess and the first woman to receive a pro model from Them Skates. What a cool honor! In keeping with her long run of contest dominance — a byproduct of her deep trick vocabulary and previously-mentioned style — she laced a bunch of badass tricks on the Blading Cup course and ended up taking the top honors alongside the release of her pro skate. What a weekend for Chihiro! You love to see it.

The “Bladie’s Cup” was a super special event to witness and if anything it’s a signal of what’s to come. We’re all for it! Which is why you may not see some of the best pics from the day here — because we’ve got more in store.

[The END]

Photos by Drew Humphrey and Steve Steinmetz