June the 10th, 2019 – The Pannonian Challenge turns twenty this year after hosting two decades of extreme sport and music festivals in Osijek. Over the past two decades, the Pannonian Challenge has grown to become one of the most popular events in extreme sports in Croatia, attracting international athletes across the world to take part in this spectacular five day event.
With a space of some 25 000 m2, together with a campsite next to the catacombs, the location sits on the left coast of the river Drava, next to the popular swimming pool Copacabana. If you’re walking along Osijek Promenade you can hear the music beats across the river Drava.
When you look back at the grass roots of this event in Osijek, with just a few skateboard fans starting it out with a completely different name, one can see that it has exceeded it origins of being just a group of people showing off some crazy moves, and for many people, it has exceeded their expectations since it first started twenty years ago.
Osijek has become the home of many extreme sports enthusiasts and a place to show off the most incredible moves for BMX, in-line and skateboarding. Total Croatia News was on the scene recently to see the some of the biggest names in Croatian and European skateboarding.
Day one started in Trvda at 18:00 in the Kazamat Gallery, showcasing the works of past and present photography art. With an incredible book collaboration of photographs from many artists that focuses on the subject of extreme sports in Osijek at various locations throughout the city, with the courtyard being the spotlight to enjoy the beats of DJ OMKE and UMBO taking you into the early morning of the next day.
Day two started with a bang early in the morning as many guests might have woken up to the sounds of thunder and lightning with a quick downpour. However, it cleared up just in time for the start of the warm-ups and registrations for the skateboarding competition. At 14:00, things really started to heat up at the Pannonian skate park in Osijek as riders were feeling the pinch. Fans showed up early as there were plenty of things to do and see while catching some rays under the warm Croatian sun.
With just a ten minute warning for the riders to get ready, you could see the spectators grabbing last minute cold drinks and something to eat.
Each rider got their turn to take to the course with the sound of the beep to show their moves in a one minute showdown. With only the top skateboarders in the final, there was still that incredible sense of community amongst them. With a limited time on the clock, technique and execution was paramount.
The rail grinds and flips during a rail slide off the bank wall were just some of the main moves. The following is an excerpt of just some of the judging criteria rules from here.
”Judging Criteria The performance of each rider is judged on overall impression including, but not limited to: – Difficulty – Style – Landings – Height – Consistency – Use of the course – Flow – Variety of tricks – Execution – Originality – Control of the tricks – Progression – Versatility
The overall composition of the runs is most important as the judges evaluate the sequences of tricks, the amount of risk in the routine, and how the rider uses the course. The judges take errors such as falls and stops into consideration.”
The finalist from the recent skateboarding completion were:
First place: Chrisu Khan from Spain
Second place: Timotej Lampe Ignjić from Slovenia
Third place: Bruno Vranić From Croatia
Skate Amateur results:
First place: Adriana Josipovic
Second place: Marko Gojkovic
Third place: Dominic Vargić
The best trick title was taken by Lajos Petrányi with a laser flip.
Here are the highlights:
Day three, Friday June the 7th – Scooter and in-line skating.
Later in the evening, things began at 16:00 with the finals having taken place at 18:00.
Then it was off to the music event where the excitement continued at Club Vega from 21:00 to 5:00.
22:00 – Hladno Pivo
00:00 – Let 3
01:00 – The Nilz
02:00 – Debeli Precjednik
03:00 – Of Apes
Day four, Saturday June the 8th – BMX qualifications followed by an after party.
Day five, Sunday June the 9th – BMX finals starting at 17:00 and ending at 20:00, followed by an after party.
This event which took place out in the open under the Croatian sky was full of sunshine and warmth for the competitors in Osijek. Follow our lifestyle page for more.
