Biker Sherlock edging Dennis Derammelaere in the Dual Luge Finals.

[ AUDIO ]
Dual Luge Gold Medalist Biker Sherlock steals his second medal.

Interview with Super Mass Street Luge Gold Medalist Chris Ponseti.

SMSL Silver Medalist Biker Sherlock Discusses Party Plans.

[ OTHER LUGE RESULTS ]
Dual Luge Final Results (6-22-97)
Super Mass Street Luge Final Results (6-20-97)
Thursday's Qualifiers (6-19-97)

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by Lee Crane

The race everyone wanted to see in finals came a little early today on Rancho Del Oro Drive in Oceanside, California. It was the match up between the Gold and Silver medal winners in the Super Mass Luge. Chris Ponseti up against Biker Sherlock.

Moments after the heat began it was over, as were Chris Ponseti's hopes of grabbing a second gold medal in as many races at the 1997 Summer X Games.

After the starting tree went green both Sherlock and Ponseti charged out of the start. Dead even down the first straight they began jockeying for position into the chicane. That's when the red flags came out. Officials noticed that Ponseti had violated his lane while paddling (or pushing) at the start. Because of this he was disqualified and Biker Sherlock took a leisurely stroll down the course high-fiving the crowds down the entire .6 mile course.

"I've had a great time racing Chris this week and I would have loved to have raced him today," Sherlock said.

In the next heat Dennis Derammelaere edged out Darren Lott to advance into the final against Sherlock.

In the finals it was Sherlock from the start to the finish. Getting a great start Sherlock charged well ahead of Derammelaere through the chicane, however, the ceramic bearings in Derammelaere's wheels proved faster than Sherlock's and he began gaining on the leader in the final straight away. Unfortunately for Derammelaere it wasn't enough and Biker Sherlock rolled away to his first Gold medal in the X Games.

The most excitement of the day came in the run off for fifth and sixth place when slip-streamer extrodinaire Lee Dansie eased in behind Michael Colabella. Gaining enough speed by drafting Michael, Dansie swung wide and started passing. Colabella, feeling his lead begin to fall moved over to the right side of the course squeezing Dansie out of the pass. The two were shoulder to shoulder at 54 m.p.h. and Danise was not happy about it. From the finish line to the stopping zone Lee shook his head and waved his hand seeming to say, "There is no way he is going to take this with a move like that."

Dansie was right. Officials gave him the win and put Colabella in sixth. The X Game Luge competition continues with Mass Luge on Monday.

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