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US Olympic Snowboard Contender Seriously Hurt

Kevin Pearce strikes his head during training

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2009 6:22 PM CST
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(Newser) – One of the top US snowboarders was seriously injured today when he struck his head performing a risky maneuver in training. Kevin Pearce, a 22-year-old Vermont resident, will undergo a procedure in Utah to relieve pressure on his brain after he hit his head on the half pipe. Pearce, a favorite to make the Olympic team, had been training for a qualifying event with some of the world's top snowboarders, reports the New York Times.

He had been trying to pull off a double cork, a new move that amounts to a "twisting double back flip," writes the Times' John Branch. “He did it a little too hard, put a little too much oomph into it, and over-rotated on his second flip,” said coach Mike Jankowski. Pearce has gained renown by being one of the few snowboarders in recent years to defeat legend Shaun White in direct competition.

Kevin Pearce launches in the air during a practice run during the Winter X Games 13 in Colorado in January.
Kevin Pearce launches in the air during a practice run during the Winter X Games 13 in Colorado in January.   (AP Photo/Nathan Bilow)
Snowboarder Kevin Pearce poses for a portrait during the U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit at the Palmer House Hilton on September 11, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.
Snowboarder Kevin Pearce poses for a portrait during the U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit at the Palmer House Hilton on September 11, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.   (Getty Images)
Snowboarder Kevin Pearce poses for a portrait during the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit at the Palmer House Hilton on September 11, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.
Snowboarder Kevin Pearce poses for a portrait during the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit at the Palmer House Hilton on September 11, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.   (Getty Images)
U.S. snowboarder Kevin Pearce smiles after he won the Arctic Challenge at Holmenkollen Ski Arena in Oslo, Norway, in 2008.
U.S. snowboarder Kevin Pearce smiles after he won the Arctic Challenge at Holmenkollen Ski Arena in Oslo, Norway, in 2008.   (AP Photo/Morten Holm, Scanpix Norway)
Kevin Pearce competes during the final of the men's Snowboard Half-Pipe FIS World Cup in Switzlerland in November.
Kevin Pearce competes during the final of the men's Snowboard Half-Pipe FIS World Cup in Switzlerland in November.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Jean-Christophe Bott)
Kevin Pearce competes in Switzerland in November.
Kevin Pearce competes in Switzerland in November.   (AP Photo/Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
zackmasson
Jan 2, 2010 4:24 AM CST
Man, really reminds you how easy it is to get seriously injured when the best get taken down. Hope he fully recovers and continues to bust Shaun whites balls. :p Snowboarding is awesome!!
fancygapva
Jan 2, 2010 3:15 AM CST
@ deebles-so sorry about your son. I have 5 boys, all grown to middle age now and some might call me a wuss but I never let any of them play football or have a motorcycle. I told them that I didn't have so many kids that I could spare one. Head injuries are bad in that the injured person and those close to him almost never get accustomed to the uneven performance, sometimes they can do something, sometimes in the same situation they can't. It's a being out of control feeling that never quite goes away. Best not to test limits, do your best and stay inside the comfort zone once rehab is complete.
Derni
Jan 1, 2010 12:49 PM CST
very sad-I hope he recovers from his trumatic brain injury-

 
snowboarding • Olympic athletes • US Olympic athletes • Kevin Pearce

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