On the 4th and 5th of Septembre, Jabba Street Festival 2009 took place in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. It was an urban culture fest, with main musical attractions such as DJ Craze from Miami, USA, the Nextmen from London, Missil from Pariz and loads of other DJ`s. Besides the two musical parties taking place on Friday and Saturday, Jabba Street fest was home to a Streetball contest, and more important for us, a miniramp contest for rollerblading and skateboarding.

In the yard of the headquarters of Zagreb`s cultural titans Studentski Centar, the miniramp was installed. Skateboarders had a two-on-two battle while the rollerbladers decided for a one-on-one battle with rounds lasting 5 minutes to impress the judges with their miniramp trick vocabulary.
After the qualifying battles, only 4 riders advanced to the semi-finals; Ivan Grgić, Mario Gvozden, Tin Hadžiomerspahić and Bogdan Kijanica. Experience prevailed and the two Croatian superstar bladers; Tin and Bobo, advanced to the finals, while the battle for 3rd place raged among Mario and Ivan. The youngsters landed some nice tricks: back to back  AO top acids, Backslide budget switch ups, AO topsouls (Mario), and hurricane topsouls, blindslide backslide budget top porn  tries and some 360 royales (Ivan). Our rising star, Ivan Grgić won the battle and claimed 3rd place.
The finals were held between Tin Hadžiomerspahić (this year`s winner of UTSH5, Pannonian Challenge X), and Bogdan Kijanica (this year 3rd place Winner of Belgrade, 2nd place Xtatic fest). The battle lasted longer than any previous one , some 8 minutes and serious tricks from both of the skaters were impressing the gathered public. Fullcab topsouls, 540 AO souls,360 savannah, blindslide bslide sweatstance`s, 360 royale to AO topsouls from Bobo and hurricane topsouls, 540 back royales and crazy al sorts of soul topsoul or one footed switchups from Tin. In the end, the judges (the non skating skaters themselves) decided the winner. Bogdan „Bobo“ Kijanica took the title and the prize, Tin 2nd place and youngster Ivan Grgić 3rd place. 

1. Bogdan Kijanica (Mantra)
2. Tin Hadziomerspahic
3. Ivan Grgic

Overall, the Jabba Street Fest 2009, miniramp contest was a success! The crowd cheered on and enjoyed the show the rollerbladers, and later, skateboarders put on. Hopefully, these events get denser and more often and contribute to the Urban Culture growth in this region. 
Text by Mario Mlakar