My favourite is when this descends into people just sounding off their favourite skater.
SOTY has been about quantity of output thinly veiled with “quality” there have been some atrocious decisions in the past based on this format.
Mason is deserving as is Tom.
If Tom Knox won it would really mark a change in Thrashers some what, historically, blinkered view of skating (granted it will always be skewed due to its physical location) it would also establish that British/European skateboarding is on the level of past winners.
It would ultimately make clear that achievement in skateboarding isn’t based on purely shock value and instead merit that can be measured by actually quality.
It would finally put credence to the over used statement “skateboarding is an artform” as we would be measuring on technically ability, intent, consideration and composition. Not just stair counting or click bait stunts.