Paul Rodriguez got back to his winning ways Saturday with a first place finish at the second Skate Park stop of the Dew Tour, The Wendy's Invitational, at the Rose Garden in Portland, OR. He unleashed a storm of technical tricks including a switch 360 kickflip and switch backside tailslide down the stair set.

Dew Tour Boston winner, Greg Lutzka, kept his overall lead in the season standings with a second place finish, and Chas Ortiz brought home his second straight third place finish on the tour.

Ryan Sheckler was going for it all day with a huge backside flip and backside 360 over the big gap. He was even attempting a backside 360 kickflip over the same gap that he nearly landed, which would of propelled him into a podium finish. One skater that seemed like he may have been underscored all day was Bastien Salabanzi. He is simply put, technically brilliant on a skateboard, and was just rifling through some extremely difficult tricks in the jam session.

Next stop is Salt Lake City, UT for the Toyota Challenge, which is an important stop for Lutzka. If he can put together another strong finish his overall championship chances will be looking very well.

Here are the full results of the final:

1. Paul Rodriguez - 86.40
2. Greg Lutzka - 85.83
3. Chaz Ortiz - 85.38
4. Ryan Sheckler - 82.81
5. Bastien Salabanzi - 80.65
6. Rodolfo Ramos - 80.60

The Maloof Money Cup presented by Vans is underway. The founders have been doused in Champagne and most of the competitors have checked in and cruised the course. The usual suspects are the skaters to look out for. In the Volcom Street Pro names like: Cole, Rodriguez, Pudwill, Ortiz, Huston and Sheckler.

One name not mentioned above is Bastien Salabanzi. The Parisian had his initial break into the skate world in the Flip video Sorry, his part blew minds, and he was considered by many to be the next big thing. He followed Sorry up with another solid showing in Flip's sequel Really Sorry. He since all but disappeared back to his homeland of France. Then, the Maloof Money Cup NYC rolled around and he showed up. It was the talk of the competitor area, "Bastein's here" could be heard all around. He made the final and placed forth.

Then, he surprised the skate world even more when he showed up the Boston stop of the Dew Tour. On this tour the big names that are usuals in the finals get passes through and everyone else has to qualify. Salabanzi skated through the qualifiers and made the final. He once again finished forth. And at last week's X Games 16 he kept his competitive roll for lack of better word, rolling. He squeaked through the qualifiers, but failed to make the final.

Now, the skate world is at the Orange County Fair for last Money Cup of the year. $100,000 is up for grabs and the big names are going to skate, including Salabanzi. He's already sessioned the setup a few times, and the Maloof contest format fits his style much more than the Dew Tour and X Games. The course looks like it's a good fit for his style too. Look out for Bastien Salabanzi this weekend.

The elimination round of Skateboard Street at X Games 16 was held today at the Staples Center. Ryan Sheckler qualified first making teenage girls everywhere jump for joy.

There was some controversy too. Brian Anderson and Bastein Salabanzi finished tied for tenth, being the core legends that both are no one wanted to see either eliminated. After a few discussions it was decided they would add up all of their run scores, instead of counting the best one run, with which they were deadlocked at 77.0. In the end Salabanzi's total was higher moving him into the Final.

Here are the full results:

1. Ryan Sheckler - 95.0
2. Chaz Ortiz - 93.0
3. Rodolfo Ramos - 90.0
4. David Gravette - 87.66
5. Ryan Decenzo - 83.33
6. Mark Appleyard - 81.33
7. Nyjah Huston - 80.00
8.Sierra Fellers - 78.00
9. Eli Reed - 77.33
10. Bastien Salabanzi - 77.00
11.Brian Anderson - 77.00
12 Shane O'Neill - 75.66
13. Justin Brock - 75.66
14. Nick Trepasso - 61.33
15. Adam Dyet - 57.66
16. Stefan Janoski - 55.00
17. Alex Olson - 45.33
18. Garrett Hill - 40.00
19. Tony Tave - 26.33
20. Omar Salazar - 12.00