TWS put up an interview and video retrospective of Chris Cole’s insane year. TWS Reader’s Choice, wins at the Maloof Money Cup, Dew Tour, Wallenberg, Crossroads, BATB 2 and a sick part in Zero’s Strange World. Leading up to SOTY can there be any question?

The Tony Hawk Show at the Grand Palais in Paris, France also had an invite only street contest over the weekend. The finals jam consisted of Eero Antilla, Chris Pfanner, Kris Vile, Julien Bechet, Dom Dietrich, Alex Olson and Bastien Salabanzi. Bastien crushed the course and took home the 6000 Euro first place.

There is no question that Bastien Salabanzi is a talented skateboarder, I doubt there is more than a handful of people on the planet that could land a cab double flip down 12 stairs, but I’m surprised he hasn’t come up with his own version of an end-zone dance at this point to celebrate the landing of his tricks. Mako Urabe’s point to the sky move looks downright tame compared to this madness.

Mick Fanning wins for the third time this season at the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search in Peniche, Portugal at Supertubos. Check the ASP press release, and if you missed any of the surfing you can see it at Rip Curl. Congrats Mick!