Thrasher Magazine

Go along for the (photo) ride with Burnout, Neck, Frank and Rye as they witness Sandro’s record-setting tail drop.

From a childhood fantasy to a zillion-dollar stunt … and we were along for the ride


Haven’t watched Rye’s epic CALL YOUR DROP video? Yer blowin’ it!

Early call time + jet lagged = drool bucket on the fancy hotel couches

Heading to the site under cover of darkness

The quiet streets of Porto Alegre

And BEHOLD!

Full mega production going on

Neck went straight to work, jumping in on tarp detail. Note: that white thing is a single panel from the ramp

Cruising up all casual like some gentle Jamiroquai …

Gotta say, Sandro was insanely chill given the circumstances

Still, its gotta hang heavy

Thrasher media team 2025: Frank, Neck, Rye and me. Proud to serve

Somehow we finagled a ride to the top

Easy breezy, this guy

With his best friend Lecio Batista who came all the way from his coaching job in China

He could be worried enough for both of ‘em

Into the abyss

Gotta say, looking over the edge, it did not look like any vert ramp I’ve ever been on. It looked like a FUCKING BUILDING

Shit! Gonna be a fun one! He made us all relax

Back to the production floor

Hardhats required

Rye test-drives the big rigs the Bull team uses

Nothin’ but good vibrations in the AV tent

We had to have our vitals tested to be on site. This may have been the first non-herbal medical care Rye has ever received

Then there was the unfortunate misunderstanding with Frank’s shorts that may have led to a slight wardrobe malfunction/international incident. Our deepest apologies to the people of Brazil and anyone who Neck’s thighs may have offended. Our. Bad.

Fast forward several rain days and here we are! Show time!

‘Fuckin shi ….’

When mountain climbing meets vert skating

Not sure if Sandro already had these skills, but he handled the rappelling like a champ

The unlatching

What’s this got to feel like?

He looked up each time. Are you there God? It’s me, Sandro

Neck and Leticia were trippin’

Big fan, BTW

And then the first attempt. Hella smooth drop …

... but he got pitched at the bottom (not shown)

Meanwhile, down in the friends-n-family pen, vibes simmered

A mix of the Austrian and Brazilian brass with a light smattering of skaters

The local press had a field day!

Wanna know why this guy’s getting interviewed?

Neck gets official with the Guinness lady. She was cool

And his triumphant return!

Straight to the arms of his loving family

Imagine if your dad dropped in on a building!

Wobbles plagued his maiden voyage. It couldn’t be his equipment, could it? No way …

Attempt #2. From the reaction above, it sounded like he made it!

Frank was the only one who got to shoot from up top, so he shared his amazing angle

After that, somehow I weaseled my way into the big leagues!

Frank was already one of the gang up there

Making friends is easy … with the right headgear

Thought they didn’t spring for a speed gun??

‘I don’t know. We only measure in kilometers …’

The wall of foam that stopped his path. Eighteen hundred blocks, so say our sources

I got one shot, and it turned out to be the only attempt where Sandro bailed out before the flat. He later said that a gust of wind had blown him off course

Like an astronaut out there

A few tries later and some concern set it

Would he throw in the towel?

Hell no!

One more shot!

Another perfect drop, only to be spit out at the bottom. The speed wobbles were getting the best of him

Neck’s angle from the other side, the final shot on my good ol’ Contax T3 (RIP)

Back with his friends, Sandro was in good spirits but was definitely dusted … at least for today

Not to mention the Prada pants were about to give up the ghost

It was decided that he’d try again another day … maybe

There was some concern that he might die trying this shit, so everyone was extremely happy that he’d not only survived, but dropped in from over 200 feet. Everyone was stoked

Like, flip-your-wig stoked!

We were pretty sure this wasn’t the end. We knew he’d go back, whether we were there to witness it or not. And, anyway, we had an even bigger challenge awaiting us later that evening ….

DUN …

DUN …

DUNNNNN!!!! Let the meat sweats begin!!!

First one’s free

Consider the Kool-Aid officially drunk

TWO WEEKS LATER …. 

We find our hero back on top of the Murderhorn … Photos: Marcelo Maragni

Wider wheels and multiple pitches, but still looking as harrowing as ever

Broke his previous record of 64.04 meters (209 feet) no problem. No speed wobbles or nothin’ 

And then, just for good measure, the biggest elevator drop of all time … 70 meters (229 feet)! Holy shit! Would he go from the top??! Not today, Satan … Still, some big-time spaghetti, as the Phelper would say 


Watch the whole thing here, if you haven’t already 

Put this one up there with Duane and Hawk’s loop, Danny Way’s Mega Ramp and Great Wall of China action and all that crazy stuff Bob Burnquist has done over the years. Congrats, Sandro! It was an honor to see you take the drop. See ya in the history books. Obrigado, everybody