MNSS SUPERCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO GETS THIRD WIN AND IS TIED FOR THE POINTS LEAD OF 2010 SX SERIES STANDINGS

When the checkered flag flew ending the 450 SX main event, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto stood atop the podium for his third win of the season. During the race Villopoto would proceed to work his way to the front. As the race hit the halfway mark, Villopoto battled with Windham, making the winning pass on lap 11. “Going out of the last chance I had the outside gate,” said Villopoto, who had to qualify for the main event through the last chance qualifier. “I was second to last to line up and I really just can’t thank the guys at Monster Energy Kawasaki enough. It was the fastest bike out there and I was able to get a good start. “Starting on the outside there killed me,” he continued. “I was able to make something of it, which was awesome.” Villopoto’s second straight win and third victory in the last four races moves him into a tie at the top of the standings with Dungey. The Monster Energy Supercross series heads to Atlanta, Ga. Saturday, February 27, for its eighth race of the season at the Georgia Dome.

THE SPORTS SYNDICATE SIGNS SNOWBOARDER SAGE KOTSENBURG TO THE SNOW ATHLETE ROSTER

The Sports Syndicate is excited to announce the signing of 16 year-old pro snowboarder, Sage Kotsenburg. Sage burst onto the pro snow scene this year after securing a place in the Slopstyle Finals at the first stop of the Winter Dew Tour in Breckenridge. Sage landed on the podium at each stop of this year’s Winter Dew Tour and brought home the coveted Dew Tour Cup. He also made his first appearance at Winter X Games 14 where he placed 5th among the best riders in the world. Sage’s style, fluidity and arsenal of tricks have captivated the snowboard community. His confidence on the snow extends well beyond his 16 years. Be on the lookout for the phenom as he competes in Tignes, France for the European X Games beginning on March 10th, 2010. Sage is sponsored by: Quiksilver, CAPitA, DC, Union Bindings, Celtek, Neff, Milosport and Park City Mountain.

MNSS SNOWBOARDER JJ THOMAS TAKES FIRST IN SUPERPIPE AT THE ASPEN OPEN

Sports Syndicate snowboarder JJ Thomas continued his highly successful season this past weekend with his victory at the Aspen Open. JJ threw down huge inverted 10’s, crazy methods and huge straight airs and linked each of his tricks down the pipe. He soared above the competition and absolutely killed it with his height out of the pipe and bag of technical tricks. Next stop for JJ-European X Games beginning on March 10th from Tignes, France.

MNSS SUPERCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO GETS WIN NUMBER TWO AT ANAHEIM THREE

Villopoto led the third Anaheim race from start to finish after taking the holeshot and then slowly inching away to a 4.6-second margin of victory at the finish. “I finally got that holeshot!” added Villopoto. “It was nice to not have to eat any roost for once. It was a good track – it was technical, but everyone was taking the same lines in places and it made it tough for racing.” After five races on the west coast, the series moves east to Indianapolis to start its eastern schedule. Villopoto, who likes the eastern venues, carries a good bit of momentum from his most recent win into next week’s Indy round. “I think I’m in a great position heading back east,” said Villopoto. “I think it’s anyone’s race at this point and it will boil down to whoever is the most consistent.”

MNSS PGA PRO GOLFER JOHN MALLINGER HOSTS FIRST TEE EVENT FOR CHILDREN IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES

Last week during the PGA TOUR Northern Trust Open, John Mallinger greeted youngsters affiliated with The First Tee of South Los Angeles. On Tuesday of tournament week, Mallinger got in his car and headed toward 98th Street, home to The First Tee facility situated at the par-3 Maggie Hathaway Golf Course. Once there Mallinger gave a clinic for two hours, teaching the assembled junior golfers about the golf swing. Mallinger also encouraged the youth to not only play golf but to set goals, both in golf and in life. He finished his day by holding a putting contest and throwing in a three-hole challenge on the course for some of the more experienced players. “It is important that we, as PGA TOUR pros, are willing to reach out to inner-city children whenever possible to promote golf,” Mallinger said. “Kids are the foundation of golf’s future. This was a unique opportunity for me to build into kids who, if it weren’t for The First Tee, might otherwise not get the exposure to our sport. It was a lot of fun, and I hope they all learned a little more about the golf swing.” Click to check out the full story and video on the PGA TOUR website.

MNSS SNOWBOARDER TORSTEIN HORGMO TAKES 1ST IN SLOPESTYLE WHILE JJ THOMAS TAKES 1ST IN SUPERPIPE AND OVERALL TITLE AT THE LAST STOP OF THE DEW TOUR

The Sports Syndicate’s Torstein Horgmo and JJ Thomas both earned 1st place podium positions for The Dew Tour. Torstein Horgmo took first for the final stop finding himself standing on top of a podium. The slopestyle course set up at Mount Snow was challenging but Torstein is an amazing rider and his experience and talent prevailed. For Torstein it came down to nailing his second run which included a crazy switch backside 12 into a backside 10 cork on the final two jumps and other overall course mastery to nab the first place spot. JJ Thomas also had the talent to rise to the top of the Dew Tour and take the overall Dew Cup as well. According to JJ Thomas the pipe was “good, it was decent all week but for the finals it was really good”. JJ Thomas did back to back 10’s and all his tricks so high that he launched himself into the top podium spot. JJ finishing first meant that JJ would also get the overall Dew Tour Cup by a close 5 points. Congrats to Torstein and JJ on both their wins at the Dew Tour.