Well if you haven't heard, my team and I were involved in a horrific crash during a training run on the Altenberg track on Thursday Jan 5th 2012. Since the crash the team and I have been recovering and haven't had much time to update anyone on our status. I have received a whole swag of emails from a bunch of you and the team and I truly appreciate the support. I won't go into detail about the crash but know that the team are all home in Canada and are on the recovery train. The purpose of this update is to inform you of the teams plans to return to competition.
Firstly the team needs to make sure that recovery is the priority in our return to action and not to rush into anything to soon. In saying that, it is difficult to sit around and not to train. AS athletes this is what we do, this is what we live for and it makes things particularly tough when we see our fellow team mates competing and we want to get back out there as soon as possible. The reality of it is that 3 out of the four of us injured in the accident will not be returning to competition this season. There may be a slight chance that I will compete in an Americas Cup race after world championships to gain some extra points for next season and to regain some confidence going into the off season.
For now Timothy Randall and Derek Plug are the only 2 remaining team members who will continue on in the competition season. They will be joining pilot Justin Kripps and team mate James Mcnaughton who will be taking over my Canada 2 spot for the remainder of the season. It will be Team Kripps' first time driving on the World Cup tour and I wish him and his team all the best.
For me, my return to sliding largely rests upon my visit with our team doctor tomorrow. I will be getting a full assessment from our doctor here in Calgary and with his input, we can make an accurate plan as to when I can return to the track. My return will be slow and I will be sitting in the sled just getting more and more runs down the track to continue in my driving development. I will not be able to run, push or do lower body weights for quite some time so I will be solely focusing on my driver development.
Graeme and Bill, the other 2 athletes injured in the crash are home with their families and are also working on their recovery. They both plan to return to the sport, but like myself, this decision is dependent on our bodies and when they say they are ready.
I thank you all again for your continued support for my team and I in such a difficult time. Every little bit of progress we make I will be sure to let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again.
Firstly the team needs to make sure that recovery is the priority in our return to action and not to rush into anything to soon. In saying that, it is difficult to sit around and not to train. AS athletes this is what we do, this is what we live for and it makes things particularly tough when we see our fellow team mates competing and we want to get back out there as soon as possible. The reality of it is that 3 out of the four of us injured in the accident will not be returning to competition this season. There may be a slight chance that I will compete in an Americas Cup race after world championships to gain some extra points for next season and to regain some confidence going into the off season.
For now Timothy Randall and Derek Plug are the only 2 remaining team members who will continue on in the competition season. They will be joining pilot Justin Kripps and team mate James Mcnaughton who will be taking over my Canada 2 spot for the remainder of the season. It will be Team Kripps' first time driving on the World Cup tour and I wish him and his team all the best.
For me, my return to sliding largely rests upon my visit with our team doctor tomorrow. I will be getting a full assessment from our doctor here in Calgary and with his input, we can make an accurate plan as to when I can return to the track. My return will be slow and I will be sitting in the sled just getting more and more runs down the track to continue in my driving development. I will not be able to run, push or do lower body weights for quite some time so I will be solely focusing on my driver development.
Graeme and Bill, the other 2 athletes injured in the crash are home with their families and are also working on their recovery. They both plan to return to the sport, but like myself, this decision is dependent on our bodies and when they say they are ready.
I thank you all again for your continued support for my team and I in such a difficult time. Every little bit of progress we make I will be sure to let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again.
