Wollongong skateboarder, Sam Giles, has taken out his second consecutive Billabong City Squared victory at Queensbridge Square on Melbourne’ Southbank, topping a field that included 40 Australian street-skate specialists.

Giles stomped a couple of huge backside 360’s on his way to the first-place $5,000 winner’s prize, pulling his winning moves over a daunting two-metre gap. The gap was the main feature of an intimidating, purpose built ‘funbox’ that included two oversize hubbas (ledges), rail and banks measuring three metres in height.

Giles’ win was well deserved, but the competition was stacked with the likes of Tommy Fynn (Auckland), local Jack Kirk (Melbourne) and Reece Warren (Eden, NSW) going big in the 12-minute jam format final.

Afterward, drenched in beer, cradling his over-sized novelty cheque and an armful of Sony product, Giles admitted he thought the title was going to someone new in 2011.

“I wasn’t thinking I was going to win it again, that’s for sure. I was trying to land as many tricks as I could without going too crazy. I was careful not to get stuck on anything, I just tried to keep mixing it up, then when we were waiting for the announcement I still didn’t think that I might be in a chance of winning. The other guys skated so well,” said Giles.

Giles’ other scoring tricks included a backside flip over the gap, backtail on the ledge, and front feeble on the rail. The best individual trick prize, $1,000 from DVS, was awarded to local Kurt Winter (Melbourne) for an epic switch backside kickflip that had the hardcore crowd hooting and on their feet.

Aussie skate legend Andrew Currie was among the judging panel and praised the skaters for having a serious dig at what was at first an intimidating course for many of the entrants.

“I know when I first saw it, I was pretty shocked at the gnarliness of the obstacle and I know the reactions from a lot of the guys here this morning was ‘Holy s#!t!’” said Currie.

“The competition did get off to a slow start. In the early heats we saw a lot of safety moves going down, but as guys started to get used to the course and figure out how to launch off the thing, the moves just got better and better as the day progressed. The finalists all lifted, everyone in the top six had the potential to take it out,” Currie said.

Event sponsor, Billabong, commissioned the purpose-built oversize ‘funbox’ that mimics the best features found in the streets and urban terrain of Melbourne City. Contestants were judged on the most technical, progressive and risky tricks performed.

Despite many aborted efforts and plenty of skaters coming unstuck and hitting the pavement, everyone walked away injury free.

Billabong’s City Squared III event is the start of a new street course series in Australia called the ‘SBA Pro Invitational Tour, which will see an over-all champion crowed at the end of 2011.

Big props to Reece Warren (Eden, NSW) for his hurricane grind on the flat bar which whipped the crowd into a frenzy. John ‘Peewee’ Dickenson (Gold Coast, Qld) blitzed his heat with six completed tricks in a row, the highlight being a heelflip over the gap and a wallie (wallride) to ollie off the bank.

Slam skateboard magazine Editor, Jake Frost, said, “We’re psyched to have been involved again with City Squared. Melbourne is the best location, the course design is original and it’s challenging enough to push everyone which makes it more of a spectacle for the crowd.”

Final Results:
Billabong City Squared III
1st Same Giles (Wollongong,NSW) $5000, Sony Projector Handycam HD & bragging rights!
2nd Tommy Fynn (Brisbane, Qld) $2500 & Sony Handycam
3rd Jack Kirk $1250 & Sony Handycam
4th Reece Warren (Eden, NSW) $700 & Sony Cybershot
5th Jack Fardell (Gold Coast) $400 & Sony Cybershot
6th Chris Wood (Wellington, NZ) $150 & Sony Bloggie

Sony where handing out DSLR cameras for punters to take the best photo of the event. Congratulations to Kyle Montgomery who scored one of this DSLR beauties with this shoot!

DVS Best Trick - Kurt Winter (Melbourne); switch backside kickflip $1000
SONY Most creative skater – Dane Burman (Caringbah, NSW); early grab method crook bonk.

A big thanks to Monster Energy, Sony, VW, Slam, DVS, Jetty Surf, SBA, Dakine and Billabong!

For more pics go here http://www.billabong.com.au/event/93/billabong-city-squared-iii