At that time in blading, most famous skaters stayed on the ASA pro tour. There were just a handfull of European that were allowed to skate in the pro tour series; Klaus Dieter Walter, Taig Khris, Raphael Sandoz and a couple more. Early 1998, Rollerblade gave some young European guys the chance to become pro by qualifying for the ASA pro tour. Sven, together with Javier Bujanda (Halfpipe, Spain) and Alexis Ecija (Park, Spain), were lucky ones to make the trip. In Virginia Beach, VA Sven finished 19th in the halfpipe and also placed in the park contest but he impressed enough to compete in another ASA stop. The week after in Naples, FL Sven did not well in park but finished third in the halfpipe. With this results Sven qualified for the X-Games! A goal was achieved and Rollerblade had to send him to US again. Alexis and Javier also quilified for the X-Games, so from that moment they travelled the world together with Taig Khris. They became great friends and Sven will talk happily about their experiences for hours. 

Sven did do good at the X-Games Halfpipe but got a bronze medial at Halfpipe triples together with Taig Khris and Javier Bujanda.

When Sven got a serious contract offer by Rollerblade, Sven's parents were completely behind his choice to skate as a professional. At crunch time his mother convinced him to stop school and totally focus on rollerblading as his profession. 

Article in a Dutch newspaper about Sven going for his carreer as pro skater

 

In the 1998 X-Games Sven only competed in the halfpipe but didn't do so well. A few weeks later, Sven was beginning to get used to travelling to the US and dealing with jetlag, which resulted in two first places in park contests in two ASA stops. In a heartbeat Sven had become a serious opponent for other competing rollerbladers. 

 

Results 1998

- 1st place Dutch championships Park

- 1st place IISS Saas Fee, Switserland Park

- 1st place IISS Tignes, France Park

- 1st place NISS Finals Venice Beach, CA Park

- 1st place IISS Finals Birmingham, UK Park

- 3rd place ASA Naples, FL Park

- 2nd place ASA Flensburg, Germany Park

- 1st place ASA Toronto, Canada Park

- 3rd place X-Games San Diego, CA Halfpipe triples