By Shelby Stanger Boasting names like Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist and Mike McGill, San Diego is home to more than its fair share of skateboarding legends. With the latest accomplishment by a Cardiff-by-the-Sea 20-year old, add another name to that list. Already considered the top women’s vert rider in the world, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins sealed her place in skateboarding lore when she became the first female to land a 540 McTwist.  And she did it front of a raucous Paris crowd and Encinitas skating icon Tony Hawk as part of a celebration for action sports company Quiksilver’s 40th birthday on Nov. 26. Lyn-z has been practicing the trick for years. When she landed it on the biggest vert ramp ever built in Europe — under the glass ceiling of the “Gran Palais,” — the crowd went wild. “I was in so much shock, I just went up the other side of the ramp then dropped to my knees and then everyone tackled me,” said Lyn-z reminiscing about the moment. The successful maneuver not only sets a new milestone, but carries the torch of a fellow San Diegan. Former professional skateboarder McGill, who now owns McGill Skate Shop in Encinitas, first landed the McTwist in 1984. “The McTwist was a milestone in skating’s progression and is still considered and elusive trick among professional skaters,”Hawk said. “To have Lyn-z conquer it opens new doorways of possibility for women’s skating in general. “It did not come easy. I watched her work on it for months before getting close, taking many hits along the way to success,” Hawk added. About eight years ago, Lyn-z decided she wanted to land the maneuver. The seven-time X Games medalist and this past year’s winner of the X Games vert  competition, Lyn-z has been practicing every chance she gets. For More: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-01-07/sports/cardiffs-lyn-z-emerging-as-next-san-diego-skate-legend