Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins first woman to land McTwist

November, 22, 2009
Nov 22
02:06
PM ET
By Josh Brooks

Lyn-Z Hawkins in the middle of the first 540 landed by a woman. Pretty amazing.
In a skate, art and music event held in Paris' historic Grand Palais, built for the 1900 Paris Expedition, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins made her own history as the first female to land a McTwist on a skateboard. Watch it here.

The event, entitled the Quiksilver Tony Hawk Show, featured photography from Bára Prásilová, live painting by André, music by Dead By Sunrise, DJing with Mix Master Mike and, of course, skating.

To close up the skate event, after Tony Hawk landed another highly- demanded 900, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins put down the first documented 540 landed by a woman. I caught up with Lyn-Z to ask her about Paris, the event and the first female McTwist...

The Tony Hawk Show was held in the Grand Palais. What was it like skating in such a historic and beautiful building?
It was incredible, to say the least. It is such a beautiful and amazing venue. I felt honored just to be in it and then I got to skate in it, too!

Had you been to Paris before? If not, what did you like most about it?
Yes, I had been when I was 14, but I just wanted to sleep and didn't care to see anything. This time was a whole new ball game. I loved it! It's so beautiful and there is so much history, it was almost overwhelming. I loved that the hotel was a block from the Eiffel Tower.

How did it feel to be the first girl to land a McTwist?
I don't even have words to explain how it felt! It was surreal...It just came together and all of a sudden I was on the roll in.

You landed it in front of a lot of people in the Grand Palais. Had you landed it before?
Noooo...thats why everyone freaked out. No women has ever done a McTwist on a vert ramp EVER.

You were in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Did you celebrate after the event?
Well, I got a whole bottle of champagne pored on my head by Tony—a champagne shower, I like to call it—and then there was a huge VIP party at the venue, where I hung out with all my friends who were there.

Are there any other girls you skate with that you think might be able to pull a McTwist, now that you've kind of laid the grounds for girls doing it?
I have no idea...I'm pretty sure Karen Jonz has been spinning indy 540s. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

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