Melanie Bartels carries Team USA in a narrow win against the World at X-Games XIII, GAME ON

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GAME ON

Melanie Bartels carries Team USA in a narrow win against the World at X-Games XIII

By: Mike Cianciulli

Photos: All Photos: Mez/ESM

July 4, 2007

Fireworks came early on the Fourth of July. The girls of Team USA proved their independence to the rest of the world as Women's Surfing made its debut at the ESPN X-Games XIII in perfect Puerto Escondido.

Following The Game format, which is more like mainstream sports and less like a traditional surfing contest, teams comprised of the best female surfers from around the globe took sides as the USA outlasted the World 55-53 -- one of the most narrow margins ever.

"This was the most exciting Game we've seen in the six years we've been doing this," said The Game founder and event organizer Brad Gerlach. "The girls were just charging."

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Former 2005 World Champion, Chelsea Hedges, made a serious case for the World team, which came up short in the end. Final tally, USA: 55 World: 53

USA's Melanie Bartels was largely responsible for the victory as she bagged a remarkable 8.5 on one of the best waves of the day and credited the team format as a major factor in her performance.

"All the other girls, they were just telling me to go. If it wasn't for them I probably wouldn't have got it...It was probably my longest barrel ever."

-- Melanie Bartels, Team USA member

"A good set came in and my teammates called me over because they knew I needed a wave. I just kept pumping and saw it running. I didn't even think I was going to make it out. It was probably my longest barrel ever," said Bartels of her mammoth tube ride. "All the other girls, they were just telling me to go. If it wasn't for them I probably wouldn't have got it. I like this better it's more of a team sport. It feels more relaxing and you know they are there to support you."

And while it was a close match right down to the last ticks of the clock, the World team laid it all on the line in a last ditch effort for the win.

"If they didn't claim Hawaii all those years ago it would have been a different event," joked World Coach, Martin Potter. "All we needed was one point each wave. Our girls fell off on a lot of waves at the end because they were just going for it."

Regardless, this unique format kicked off a groundbreaking show in what surely will be an ongoing rivalry for years to come.

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