2012 Claymore Challenge - Finals' Recap and Pics

69 Comments

Score Time Who Faved

+ 48

poserjim (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:30)

I watched the event live and thought the judges did an ok job. Maybe they could have scored rheeder higher and forced Semenuk to go again. That would have made the comp that much more exciting. But as for Sam's run if you compare it to Brandon's, Semenuk's was better. Semenuk tricked every stunt.

12 jumps on course
Semenuk Pilgrim
1. bar spin 1. dead sailor
2. backflip table 2. flip tuck
3. 360 table 3. 360 X-up
4. tailwhip 4. 360
5. 360 bar spin 5. tuck no hander
6. drop oppo 360 6. drop back flip
7. cork 720 (backflip360) 7. flip whip
8. tailwhip 8. 360 x-up
9. tailwhip 9. dangler
10 transfer blackflip 10 transfer backflip table
11. one foot table 11. dead sailor
12. flip whip 12. super flip

If I was judging I would have also given Brandon a higher score. Sam dead sailored 2 stunts and pulled a tuck no hander and a dangler. Both had some big tricks. But Brandon had a better all around run.

+ 13

ultralord (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:34)

but thats a comparison between 1st and 4th place...

+ 19

poserjim (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:43)

many people think Sam's run was better....

+ 11

DnBjackob (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:47)

just for complete 8. was oppo whip , and 11 un turdown

+ 10

flowitdown (Jul 22, 2012 at 4:55)

It's been a really tough battle for the podium and after all it's easy to say that the judges were unfair and that Pilgrim or even Rheeder were robbed..
At such a top level of tricks the judges simply have to look at how the riders landed their tricks, Semenuk is just riding so securely and accurately extending every trick like no one else! I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be one of the judges and they have done a good job, if you ask me Wink

Benlow (Jul 22, 2012 at 5:16)

Thanks for putting up the comparison of runs, it does get old when every second comment is some pom having a whinge about Pilgrim being robbed. Semenuk stomped all of his tricks perfectly, and he deservedly won.

mhopper (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:09)

1. Semenuk 2. Rheeder 3. Pilgrim

skierdud89 (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:48)

You did make a GREAT point though:

If they would have given Rheeder first after his second run and forced Brandon to go again if would have made for an exciting finish!

rac3fac3 (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:54)

People need to stop freaking out about who should or shouldn't have won. The contest is over. Semenuk won cause he did the best in the judges eyes. That's all.

JBinKC (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:05)

If you compare the runs trick vs. trick they were basically equal. But Semenuk landed his tricks much smoother than Pilgrim. Everything about Semenuk's run is more stylish and smooth.

thepwnstar39 (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:12)

forgot the oppo tailwhip by semenuk in this comparison Big Grin

+ 19

scott-townes (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:23)

Why would you give someone a higher score just for the purpose of making the person in 1st place to risk injury and go again? That's the worst judging move ever... that's X-Games judging.

tom666 (Jul 22, 2012 at 10:42)

Personally I think there was very little between those runs, however I feel Brandon deserved to win. But it seems to have been overlooked than sam did the first ever flat drop backflip in competition. For me, Soderstrom's and Rheeder's runs were just as good if not better than Sams, but I feel the judges should have counted the world's first competition flat drop backflip for more than they did. There's a reason it hasn't been done before and that's because it's shit hard and I think more props should be given for breaking boundaries - because that's what pushes the sport forwards. I think second would have been fair.

ultralord (Jul 22, 2012 at 11:01)

Im not saying Semenuk didnt deserved the win, but what Im saying is that Pilgrims second score was just shit.
His second run was much better than his first and his score increased buy what? less than 0.5 ??
Thats just wrong

AidenCrocker (Jul 22, 2012 at 12:39)

SODERSTROM!!!!!

fraz123 (Jul 22, 2012 at 12:39)

now compare it to soderstroms...

prevail (Jul 22, 2012 at 14:58)

sam didn't trick three possible jumps (right at the start before the stepdown, after the stepup and the wallride), so semenuk, rheeder and söderström had 2-3 more tricks in their runs. that's why he ended in 4th place. also pilgrim and söderström did tuck no hander, one handed tables, nac nacs ect. where semenuk and rheeder threw tailwhips and threes. as cool as those tricks are, they are not enough to win a competition. clear advantage for semenuk and rheeder! i think semenuk won because of his opposite tricks, but rheeder was real close

kicsijoe (Jul 22, 2012 at 15:17)

Semenuk did 360s back to back. That also means more points.

fraz123 (Jul 22, 2012 at 15:22)

Soderstroms tuck no had.a late barspin in it...

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+ 23

ebehn (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:12)

Sam Pilgram needs a clothing sponsor...

dydanz (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:21)

.. and he needs a tanktop. just like his last 1st podiums..

Gweggy (Jul 22, 2012 at 6:58)

I think he's sponsored by OBG, haven't seen him wearing one of their kits though...

xxslopestylerider9x (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:47)

He was wearing the deeeeeepest v neck ive ever seen in qualifying

toddonbike (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:34)

he needs a sword

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Turtey (Jul 22, 2012 at 4:58)

The event was awesome! I was covered in champagne from the podium! I was just out of frame in most of those pictures, for example Brandon's foot hit me on his way to the pond. None of my friends understand why that's cool and I wanted to share with a group of people who can appreciate it. Pink Dress girl get at me!

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jacob-jay-12 (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:37)

ahhh now i see why that adidas t shirt has an upside down logo

Pinky1990 (Jul 22, 2012 at 7:35)

I've never noticed that before

Lehel-NS (Jul 22, 2012 at 11:39)

haha, that's just awesome lol

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sugar (Jul 22, 2012 at 5:20)

BRETT RHEEDER!!!

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Jerrywm (Jul 22, 2012 at 12:00)

my point of veiw is no1 is perfect and mayb some of the others scores shouldve been higher and with every organization there are mistakes made ....but saying that i wish there would be fairer judging....it would be hard being a judge....really i think if there would be more rider judged comp.'s out there....riders know the difficulty of tricks and all the rest....just my point of veiw

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scaliwag (Jul 22, 2012 at 4:55)

I'd love to see Semenuk have to throw down a second run for once (how long has it been?), but to all the complainers, the judges must be seeing things that you're not if they didn't even see fit to have any of those guys trump his first round score. It shows that to them, it wasn't even close.

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Wribit4567 (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:26)

Semenuks bike's graphic look so awesome this year!

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kirkerj (Jul 22, 2012 at 19:30)

Is it just me or does it look like Semenuk combed/gave his hair some order prior to being dumped in the pond. Either or he's crazy as!

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COFreeride (Jul 22, 2012 at 22:14)

I was loving Cam's post run interviews. The chick's standing by the Red Bull truck were Hottttttt! Oh ya, the event was pretty bitchin' too!!

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FearInc (Jul 22, 2012 at 18:02)

What wha wha.....!?!?!! Sam Pilgram owns other shirts than just tank tops?!?!?!
Such a sick comp! solid runs by everyone!

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MaxBerkowitz (Jul 22, 2012 at 0:07)

Bangers. Bangers everywhere.

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Elfin (Jul 22, 2012 at 7:36)

Hey, are there already any vids of Semenuk's runs? I first see the phrase 'Dead Sailor', and want to know how it looks like Wink

Okaay nevermind. Got it

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skijunky05 (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:58)

Dope shots, Lee! Nicely done.

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RobotXander (Jul 23, 2012 at 10:54)

Sam deserved 3rd place at least. I was shocked to see him get the 4th spot

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shishka (Jul 22, 2012 at 20:14)

Jumps look better every year, will stop by soon to rip a few runs in nh.

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williamharing (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:51)

Another great jop by Trumpore!

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crawford720 (Jul 22, 2012 at 19:03)

I think it should be the average of BOTH runs, that way everyone has to go all out on both, no joy ride down.

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jessemerks (Jul 22, 2012 at 0:15)

that guys arm...

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chyu (Jul 22, 2012 at 0:25)

suicide girl@pinkbike

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theedon (Jul 22, 2012 at 7:56)

T-BO!!!!

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sweetlou34 (Jul 22, 2012 at 4:39)

it was such a sick day!!

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zaprowsdower (Jul 22, 2012 at 0:31)

So sik

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JBinKC (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:57)

Semenuk could arm a militia with all his long swords!

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Below threshold threads are hidden

- 11

drifting-with-flow (Jul 22, 2012 at 4:54)

If Semenuk had done the exact same run as Sam he would have gotten a higher score, that's the harsh truth.

JS15 (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:30)

Yes, because Semenuk has more style and flow.

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STeveN83 (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:12)

Pilgrim robbed, guessing Semenuk gets extra points for just being Semenuk

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skierdud89 (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:00)

Pretty sure the unofficial Pinkbike.com user podium went something like this:
1) Brett Rheeder
2) Sam Pilgrim (These two guys actually tied for first IMO)
3) Martin Soderstrom

DnBjackob (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:05)

Oh god...

+ 17

AidenCrocker (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:08)

martins run was clearly alot better than pilgrims...

+ 10

Coreey (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:18)

Imho the results are exact. Sam put down an amazing run, but Martin was just a bit better. No talking about Brandon's cork 720, which was insane ..

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drifting-with-flow (Jul 22, 2012 at 4:54)

Semenuk gets points just for showing up and it offends me - it laughs in the face of the sport and its athletes. Sam should have won; if his run was poor other than the flip that would be different, but the two could barely be separated and such huge innovation and skill should have been rewarded highly enough to propel him into first.

AidenCrocker (Jul 22, 2012 at 12:45)

Soderstrom should have won.... the only good thing about pilgrims run was the drop

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AidenCrocker (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:08)

Martin Soderstrom should have won followed by Rheeder and Pilgrim in 3rd

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olaffons (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:25)

To be honest,the judging on FMBA Tour is just a joke... No idea where those points for Semenuk came from,but no way in hell he shouldn't have won this competition... Loving his style,but there was at least 3 riders who stomped better runs... Cork 7 was insane,but it's not the single trick that wins the game. Really disappointed.

JS15 (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:35)

If it's not the single trick that wins the game why are all the brits saying Pilgrim got robbed? The only good thing about Sam's run was the backflip off the drop. Sam didn't trick 2 jumps. Watch the replays then think again.

flashkid33 (Jul 22, 2012 at 12:40)

olaffons, i would sooooo love to see you being one of the judges. Everyone has to stop being asholes, because being a judge is almost/if not, as hard as doing the tricks out on the course.

AidenCrocker (Jul 22, 2012 at 12:44)

Fuck pilgrim. Soderstrom was robbed!

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sarcasm (Jul 22, 2012 at 6:01)

Semenuk got a higher score just because he has more style, Sam is indeed better at most tricks but style points matters, honestly i think martin is the most stylish rider this weekend, shame, i don't like seeing semenuk winning it but did he deserve first place, in this instance, yes.

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riccosuabe (Jul 22, 2012 at 2:53)

i reckon rheeder should have won it and pilgrim was robbed!! i mean a run like that and no podium finish?? semenuk is the best rider on his day but yesterday he didnt even look like he tried and certainly wasnt the best of the day at all but i guess just being brendan is 1st place

+ 12

scriz (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:20)

Uggh... just stop already. Watch the runs again... Semenuk deserved it 100%

Airik (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:35)

he just smashed it.

Gweggy (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:51)

I'm pretty sure semenuk doesn't get more points, because of his fame... I mean, he definitely has the most pressure, because people expect him to win and do impressive tricks, and people expect him to be flawless, so I'm pretty sure if he would have struggled ones during his run, he would have gotten a lot less points!!! And I'm impressed how easily he did all his tricks, everyone except him had at least one situation where he struggled to land a trick or catch a pedal, but semenuk just rode like a machine!

- 11

poras (Jul 22, 2012 at 5:51) (Below Threshold) show comment

Semenuk gets few bonus points for being semenuk and surely he could won with his 2nd run.

prevail (Jul 22, 2012 at 9:55)

sam didn't trick three possible jumps (right at the start before the stepdown, after the stepup and the wallride), so semenuk, rheeder and söderström had 2-3 more tricks in their runs. also pilgrim and söderström did tuck no hander, one handed tables, nac nacs ect. where semenuk and rheeder threw tailwhips and threes. as cool as those tricks are, they are not enough to win a competition. clear advantage for semenuk and rheeder! i think semenuk won because of his opposite tricks, but rheeder was real close

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