Slam Video Details

Skier Pseudonym: Cedar Teionietathe Jocks

Crash Location: Breckenridge, Colorado

Crash Date: 3/1/2010

Slam Detail: It was supposed to be a mellow jib day filming in Breck. I didn't see the metal rods holding up the baby tree and when I caught a tip off the rail, i fell onto my back and bounced off the rods. Big hole in my right butt cheek and a fracture in my pelvis... Crash happens at the end of the segment.

***Hi Slytech,
I just entered the slam video contest with a video of a "bloody Slam at Breckenridge." I know I was in the contest a couple of months ago already with the same vid, (actually that one was a bit different and a lot longer. This one is my segment from Shadow Puppet Collection's new film, but it is a lot of the same footage.) But i realized that I was up against Jonah Elston who is a radical little shredder and the son of a good friend of mine. i didn't want to take away his chance of winning so i let the contest go by the wayside. i would really like to be in the contest again this month as i think i could do really well and could really use the protection.
thanks guys!

Be Fun,
have Safe,
and Get Down!
-Cedar Teionietathe Jocks***

***Bloody, gory scenes! If you're a minor or just get quinsy at the site of huge gaping flesh-wounds, don't watch!***

Cedar Jocks 2010 from Matt Mulligan on Vimeo.

If you think this is one of the gnarliest slam vids on the Slytech blog, click on the FACEBOOK LIKE BUTTONS and TWITTER BUTTONS UP TOP. Also ask yourself: could a back protector have helped prevent some of these injuries? Perhaps the belt of a back protector may have protected his upper bum area? Perhaps the coccyx adapter of the back protector could have softened the blow and averted the fracture pelvis? It's just conjecture, but these are questions worth asking yourself.

ASPEN, CO (Nov. 24) – Seven U.S. Olympians, including 2010 medalists Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) will be in the start house this weekend when the Visa Aspen Winternational opens the North American swing of the women's Audi FIS Alpine World Cup on Saturday.

Vonn and Mancuso will start both Saturday's giant slalom and Sunday's slalom, along with Sarah Schleper(Vail, CO) and Megan McJames (Park City, UT).

Also racing GS will be Leanne Smith (Conway, NH) and Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR), while Hailey Duke (Boise, ID) and Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) will jump into the slalom.

Resi Stiegler trains giant slalom on the women's World Cup slope in Aspen (Aspen/Snowmass - Jeremy Swanson)

Fans can catch the action with a full television broadcast package featuring coverage on NBC, Versus and Universal Sports. NBC will feature the giant slalom Sunday at 1 p.m. ET with a replay set for Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET on Versus followed by the slalom at 5 p.m. ET. Universal Sports will air the races on its 24-hour TV network Dec. 6-7 at noon ET.

"I feel like we had great preparation leading up to Levi," said Vonn, who finished sixth in the Levi slalom despite a big second run bobble. "Besides that mistake, I had a great second run in Levi, so I’m really looking forward to Aspen and the next technical races to hopefully get some good points."

Mancuso opted to stay in Colorado in order to capitalize on the excellent training conditions. The result of which, she says, is already paying off.

"I feel like things are coming together really well for Aspen," said Mancuso. "I felt confident in my skiing after the Soelden opener and I've just continued to feel really good on my skis throughout this entire training period."

It will be Stiegler's first World Cup race in over a year and only her fourth start since late Dec. of 2007 when she when she fractured her left arm and tore ligaments in her right knee while competing in Austria. Her return was hampered further when she broke her right leg in late summer of 2008 forcing her to skip all of the 2009 season except the World Championships where she finished an incredible 19th in slalom.

After starting the first two World Cup's last winter, Stiegler was knocked out yet again with a fractured left tibia and fibia while training for Aspen just down the road in Copper Mountain, CO.

She has been running full-length courses since early November and was back in the race start gate to forerun the FIS slalom at Copper on Nov. 19.

"It felt awesome," said Stiegler. "I was able to put down two good runs, but I did it at Copper, almost a year to the day from the crash that ended my 2010 Olympic season. I'm still things in perspective though. It's still going to be a while before I'm back to where I was two seasons ago, but I'm being smart and patient with the process."

Resi Stiegler trains giant slalom on the women's World Cup slope in Aspen (Aspen/Snowmass - Jeremy Swanson)

Thanks to the support of Mother Nature and the Aspen race crew, Stiegler and the U.S. Ski Team were able to take a number of laps on the Aspen race hill last Friday and Saturday. Technical Head Coach Trevor Wagner reported the conditions as 'incredible' and is looking forward to seeing what his Team can do on the hill this weekend.

"It's not an easy hill by any means," he said. "It’s always pulling you in one direction or another, so the more you are on the course, the more you learn to master the tricky sections. To get on the podium here, you have to risk everything and have the confidence to do it."

2010 Visa Aspen Winternational

Saturday, November 27
10 a.m. RACE START: Women’s Giant Slalom Run 1 - Strawpile
1 p.m. RACE START: Women’s Giant Slalom Final – Strawpile
6:30 – 8 p.m. Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring Blind Melon Upper Gondola Plaza
8 – 8:15 p.m. Awards Ceremony for Giant Slalom Winners and Presentation of
Bingham Cup – Concert Stage
8:15 p.m. Fireworks Extravaganza - Little Nell

Sunday, November 28
10 a.m. RACE START: Women’s Slalom Run 1 - Strawpile
1 p.m. RACE START: Women’s Slalom Final – Strawpile

Sarah Schleper trains giant slalom on the women's World Cup slope in Aspen (Aspen/Snowmass - Jeremy Swanson)

Sarah Schleper trains giant slalom on the women's World Cup slope in Aspen (Aspen/Snowmass - Jeremy Swanson)

We've got some solid news to report today.

Our Czech distributor, Rosta Cerovsky, was watching one of the most popular TV news shows last night out at his house when on Prime Time he was ripped out of his chair at the sight of a report on ski and snowboard back protectors. A popular Czech testing magazine, much like Consumer Reports in the USA (remember when Consumer Reports dissed the new iPhone 4 and started a media shitstorm? Yeah, they've got power), reviewed the most popular back protectors and a few vests.

The test measured overall safety levels covering 4 different areas on the back, including the spine, as well as a few other criteria. The news report, beaming across the Czech Republic, hailed the SLYTECH 2nd Skin Back Protector the SAFEST BACK PROTECTOR available.

Screengrab of Czech News Report | Slytech 2nd Skin Gets Top Honors!

European grading scales measure from 1 to 6, 1 being the best (excellent) and 6 being the worst (fail). From the screengrab you can see the rankings as follows:

1. Slytech 2nd Skin Back Protector taking top honors with a grade of 1.1 (only 0.1 off from the BEST POSSIBLE GRADE)
2. POC Spine VPD Vest with a 1.3
3. Komperdell Cross with a 1.5

... and then the bottom of the barrel being the Scott, RED/ Burton, POC Spine Ergo Bug (with the plastic parts that Slytech's test have shown to be the least safe) and the TECNOpro all with only "satisfactory" grades.

This is a coup for our engineering department whose own tests have shown for years now that Slytech's 2nd Skin Back Protector is the safest back protector available on the market. When I talked to people and showed them our test results (see diagram below), I was always met with skeptical resistance. "yeah, but Stephan, how can we be SURE that your test results aren't biased?" they'd ask. Totally understandable reaction.

The answer has been delivered. Independent studies show that the memory cell foam used by Slytech in the 2nd Skin Back Protector is the SAFEST ski and snowboard protector on the market.

Test Results Show the 2nd Skin is the Safest Back Protector

For anyone interested in checking out the magazine coverage of the test, you'll have to get out your translation devices, because it's all in Czech. Simply click on the images to access the high resolution image.

Slam Video Details

Skier Name: Chad Lichtenberger

Crash Location: Bridger Bowl, Montana

Slam Detail: This was the first attempt of a 60 foot road gap at bridger bowl before opening day last year. We hiked up to the top and built this road gap. I hit the jump a little fast and got bucked pretty good. I ended up in the hospital for 9 days and suffered a 7 inch laceration on my liver, shattering my right kidney in three pieces, rupturing my right adrenal gland, a contusion in my right lung, an Inigural hernia, dislocated right shoulder, and four blood transfusions to top it off.. And believe it or not... NO broken bones! It's been almost a year now and I'm stoked to be working and riding at Heavenly this winter! Shred or Die!

Video:

Disclaimer: Slytech is NOT doing this contest to make light or sensationalize horrible ski or snowboard slams and accidents. Quite to the contrary, we are doing this to highlight how common it is to get into accidents on the mountain. We are advocating AWARENESS and PROTECTION. When you lessen the probability of serious injury -- injuries like Chad's above -- then you gain more days on snow and are ultimately happier.

Help us highlight the importance of protection by submitting your slam video and enter to win a free back protector.

Click here: http://slytechprotection.com/slamvids

Slam Video Details

Skier Name: Libby McCusker

Crash Location: Middlebury, Vermont

Slam Detail: Hi my name is Libby i am 14 years old and race for okemo mountain this fall i ended up being taken out by ski patrol and to the hospital via ambulance i had a broken wrist and my gs suit was burned through to my skin resulting in a giant painful cut on my left hip i stayed positive and continued racing with a cast and made vermont J3 states and almost junior olympics it was rough but i made it through.

Video:

Slytech Protection in conjunction with Absinthe Films and Daron Rahlves are passionate about raising awareness of safety on the mountain.

That's why we are giving away one back protector every month all 2010/2011 season long to the person with the most gnarly slam video or photo. These videos and photos are meant to highlight the potential for serious injury and that you can mitigate that risk by wearing protective gear like a back protector.  Enter to win at the official signup page >> http://slytechprotection.com/slamvids

The people have spoken and we have a clear cut winner of the October Slytech 2nd Skin Back Protector contest. And why mess with that?

We originally were going to cast a Slytech panel's votes in with the Facebook and Twitter votes that the slam video submitters garnered, but must now retract that idea and just straight-up award the winner based on the peoples' votes and only their votes.

Based on all the vote tallies as of today, November 1st, 2010, here are the winners:

1. Slytech 2nd Skin Back Protector Grand Prize goes to... Danny from Steamboat Springs. Congratulations Danny, you've got a lot of people routing for you to win this sweet prize! You were able to garner 42 Facebook Likes and 40 Tweets for a total of 82 votes!
   

   The Slytech 2nd Skin Grand Prize

2. Second place goes to Zack Kelly whose leg-breaking video from a down under slalom brought in a super solid 64 Facebook votes and 1 Tweet for 65 total votes. Zack, you win some sweet Slytech Swag.
3. Third place goes to Sean Van Horrsen whose missed back flip attempt got a total of 59 votes (45 on Facebook and 14 Tweets). Super solid performance. Sean, you'll also be receiving some sweet swag.

Other notable mentions are Willie Morris whose tow-in video was horribly entertaining and Jonah Elston's whose slopestyle slam got him a bunch of votes as well.

Thanks everyone for participating this first of many winter months in which we'll be giving away a 2nd Skin Back Protector to the slam video submission with the most votes! Send all your friends over to the official submission page so they can have a go at winning a FREE SLYTECH 2ND SKIN BACK PROTECTOR IN NOVEMBER.

>> http://slytechprotection.com/slamvids

Slam Video Details

Skier Name: Zac Kelly

Crash Location: Perisher Valley Australia

Slam Detail:Hi my name is Zac kelly im 13 years old and im a ski racer from australia. Above is the video and photo of me breaking my leg skiing slalom. I broke my tib fib.

Photo Sequence:

Zack faces leg doom.

Right around this time, Zack's leg gives in.

The damage is done.

Video:

Slytech Protection in conjunction with Absinthe Films and Daron Rahlves are passionate about raising awareness of safety on the mountain.

That's why we are giving away one back protector every month all 2010/2011 season long to the person with the most gnarly slam video or photo. These videos and photos are meant to highlight the potential for serious injury and that you can mitigate that risk by wearing protective gear like a back protector.  Enter to win at the official signup page >> http://slytechprotection.com/slamvids

The Audi FIS World Cup Soelden race marks the opening of the 2010/2011 season. While Saturday's ladies race was dominated by the Germans, the men's race was cancelled after first run due to heavy fog.

Slytech's Ted Ligety was 2nd after the first run, only 0.02 seconds behind Cyprien Richard. Switzerland's Slytech user Marc Berthod would have squeaked by to the second run with the 27th slot.

Other Slytech men to race, but who did not qualify for 2nd run were:

34 Silvan Zurbriggen
37 Sandro Villetta
47 Warner Nickerson
51 Will Gregorak
56 Adam Zampa
61 Tommy Ford

Slytech's new found status as Official Supplier of the Swiss Ski Team saw a huge roster of Swiss skiers wearing either the 2nd Skin back protector or arm guards, or both.

Silvan Zurbriggen
Marc Berthod
Marc Gini
Sandro Villetta
Daniel Albrecht
Ralf Kreuzer
Markus Vogl
Beaut Feuz

Dominique Gisin
Fabienne Suter
Nadia Kamer
Andrea Dettling

The Giant Slalom discipline that's raced at Soelden is one of the most competitive disciplines. The following video featuring Ted Ligety and others explains how:

Slam Video Details

Skier Name: Connor Davis

Crash Location: Middlebury, VT

Slam Detail:My name is Connor Davis and this is me almost 4 years ago crashing in a race in Middlebury Vermont. Wound up breaking my thumb pretty badly but it wasn't so bad. Could've been my back!

Slytech Protection in conjunction with Absinthe Films and Daron Rahlves are passionate about raising awareness of safety on the mountain.

That's why we are giving away one back protector every month all 2010/2011 season long to the person with the most gnarly slam video or photo. These videos and photos are meant to highlight the potential for serious injury and that you can mitigate that risk by wearing protective gear like a back protector.  Enter to win at the official signup page >> http://slytechprotection.com/slamvids

Ever seen Sarah Schleper psyche herself up in the start gate before a race? That patented "rooooooooaaaaaaaar" has kept her going all these years and keeps her coming back for more. Named to the US Ski Team once again, Sarah now straps on her Slytech Back Protection and Nervous Shin and Arm Guards... here her racer profile:

Name: Sarah Schleper

Sport: Alpine Skiing

Hometown: Vail CO

Birthdate: Infinity

Best Results: World Cup Podiums, World Cup Win

About Me: Sarah Schleper made her World Cup debut at home but three years later was injured when the World Championships came to her hometown in '99. She's been to three Olympics, been ontop of a World Cup podium and won 4 U.S. championships. She likes that view from a podium.

Skiing Magazine called her "the great blonde hope -- part Rasta, part Harpo, part Medusa, all Sarah." In her free time, she likes to see her brother Johnny play live concerts with the MTHDS and surf. Schleper is frequently recognized by her thicket of long, curly blond hair, which can be unruly, bringing about mystical qualities.

Twelve years after her World CUp debut, Sarah wed Federico Gaxiola de la Lama of Mexico. The two welcomed Lasse to the world in early 2008. With citizenship in both the United States and Mexico, Lasse has become one of the World’s youngest locals. The three of them have traveled to and from continents and countries racing in the Alpine Ski World Cup. Lion like, Schleper “roared” back at a fourth trip to the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Schleper's father, Buzz, raised Sarah and her younger brother as a single parent. In 1972, Buzz was a self-proclaimed ski bum who moved from Minnesota to Vail with a van and $1,000 in cash. Upon arrival, he worked in a local ski shop and later opened his own store. "She literally grew up in my shop," Buzz says of Sarah. "I think she learned you have to work for everything you get." As a child, Sarah would beg her father to ski, then head to the shop afterwards and fall asleep under one of the ski-tuning benches. When Buzz got done with his shift at midnight or later, he would carry his sleeping daughter to the car and drive her home. Sarah began skiing at age 2 after receiving a pair of skis for her birthday. She was racing by age 11. Schleper won five Junior Olympics gold medals and was Junior Skier of the Year for "Ski Racing" in 1995; she also was Whistler Cup slalom champ in '94 and made her World Cup debut at Beaver Creek, Colorado, in November 1995 at age 16. In '97, Schleper was slalom silver medalist at World Juniors.

- Paul Robbins (Friend of Alpine Ski Racing)

Website: in progress

TV: Truth in Motion. Rocky Mountain News 'Vail's Olympic Mom'

Something You Think Everyone Should Try In Their Lifetime: meditation

Craziest Dream: all my dreams are crazy. But I tell you this: my living waking dream is my fantasy. I am happiest when I'm counting my blessings and living with an open heart. The forces are strong to pull you about, but if you can surrender and be yourself, no matter what, that is what it feels like to be free.

Age You Learned to Shred: I was born shredding.

What Excites You: Yes people, let's do it together. Make changes. One love. Care for our home, care for our brothers and sisters. Let's live in peace. Accept the unaccepted and expect the unexpected.