The front rows of sections 214 and 215 inside U.S. Bank Stadium were full hours before the men below them would fly.
As the X Games moved indoors Friday, the massive MegaRamp took center stage, with towering beams peeking into the stadium's upper concourse and stretching longer than the football field it replaced.
Jacob Elkin, a 15-year-old fan from East Bethel, was drawn immediately to the giant structure. A couple of hours before what they call the "Big Air" BMX final, Elkin positioned himself nearly eye level with the 82-foot tall ramp.
"It's insane," Elkin said. "You've got to be nuts to do that."
If the massive drop wasn't dramatic enough, a giant rotating "X" and neon lights let fans know where skateboarders and bikers would emerge atop the ramp. The national anthem, played by trumpet, sounded over the loudspeakers just before the Big Air started with a short elevator trip bringing riders to the peak.
"I've always watched it on TV and it's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be," said Alex Rand, a fan from Blaine. "It's halfway to the roof of this thing and this stadium isn't small."
Riders often closed their eyes at the top, either envisioning their run or praying. Clad in armor — knee, elbow and back pads along with a helmet — they descended up to 40 miles per hour and soared over a 60-foot gap.
Those fortunate enough to land their first trick flew nearly as high as the second deck after hitting a hulking backstop. They're judged not only on the long gap jump, but what they do with the air off the ensuing quarterpipe.