I’m currently in Breckenridge, Colorado training halfpipe with Team GB. We headed up the mountain at usual time, on the 8.54 bus. The weather wasn’t great, quite overcast and snowy. I thought I could try a few new things in pipe, nothing big just spinning the opposite way, and not going far up the halfpipe wall. I wanted to still have a productive day, even though I couldn’t see much in pipe.
After a few warm up runs down the piste I headed to the pipe and did my first run of straight airs, getting the feel of the pipe for the day. I had to really feel the pipe with my feet, it was quite deceiving where on the wall I was due to low light conditions.
On my second run I thought I would give opposite ally 3s a go and ride up the other wall switch, on every hit of the pipe. Perfect, that was easy I thought, I’ll keep doing this today. Then on my third run, on my second hit I landed on my feet and got the rotation, but bounced when I landed and fell to the bottom of the pipe on my head. I hit my head pretty hard, I didn’t knock myself out, but thought ‘ouch’. I also put my pole in my face and had a small cut above my lip.
I gathered myself together and skied to the bottom of the pipe where my team mate was waiting for me. He asked if I was ok, I said I felt really dizzy and that I’d skip the next run.
I went inside the restaurant to gather myself together and took my helmet off to ease my head. My helmet fell to pieces at the back and I thought, “Wow, I did hit my head hard!” I knew I hit my head but I never expected my helmet to look how it did!
I decided that I should finish for the day and head home. One of my team mates came back with me.
I felt pretty dizzy, spaced out and had a headache for 2 days after. I’m so thankful I had my helmet on, it really saved my head!
Becky Hammond, Cushe Team Rider www.cushe.com