X Games 17 will officially get underway with Skateboard Park, one of the more fast and free flowing competitions at X. The custom-built concrete course is design for both skateboard and BMX park. The challenging course needs to satisfy both the skaters and the riders therefore making it extremely difficult to dial in their lines.
Veteran Rune Gliffberg and 15-year-old Curren Caples trying to figure out their lines in practice

This year's course is smaller than years past which will make skating tight and technical park lines especially critical if you want to win.

Veteran skater Andy MacDonald recently said this year's course will favor the younger generation of skaters who grew up skating more than just pool and vert.

Sixteen-year-old Pedro Barros fresh off his victory at the Dew Tour Open will look to repeat his gold medal performance last year at X Games. Super Grom Curren Caples style is suited well for this park coarse, plus he doesn't seem to mind the pressure of the big stage.
Pedro Barros looking to repeat as champion.

So much hype has been made of the older guys like Bucky Lasek, MacDonald, and Rune Gliffberg passing the torch to the new generation, but after watching practice on Wednesday we're not so sure their ready.

Gliffberg who won in 2008 and 2009 seem to have his line dialed while Barros was struggling to complete his tricks.

That was practice, everything changes as the cameras turn on and the lights shine bright.

Round 1 and the finals are Thursday at 5pm. Check out GrindTV's facebook and twitter as we will bring you live updates from X Games.


Omar Hassan continued to lock in his run. After several attempts he seemed happy with what he found.

Curren Caples looks like he's surfing with incredible flow from wall to wall.