Former U.S. freestyle skier turned free skier Jim Moran remains in critical condition in a Denver hospital, one week after falling during competition in Vail.
Moran, who retired from the U.S. team last season, attempted a triple helicopter -- three complete spins in the air -- off a steep cliff in the U.S. Freeskiing Open when the accident occurred.Video footage shows he landed on his skis, but was pitched forward onto his head. Coaches at the event said he likely would have been instantly killed had he not been wearing a helmet.
Hospital officials told ski team officials on Thursday that Moran was improving daily, and that they hope to upgrade his condition by Friday.
The 26-year-old skier is a native of Vermont, but moved to Park City a few years ago to be close to ski-team headquarters. During his career as a mogul skier, he won two World Cup events.
Moran is one of an emerging number of young skier competing in the newest thrill sport of free skiing. Competitors ski extremely steep terrain that is usually dotted with steep cliffs and jumps. The main difference between free skiing and extreme skiing, said one competitor at an event held at Snowbird this month, is that events are held within the boundaries of ski areas, "and the terrain we ski is nothing more than what we'd search out and ski on a regular day."
Another difference is that only the best skiers with a love for challenging terrain and big air would even consider taking such runs.
Doctors told officials that while they are hopeful for full recovery, it will be a long, tough road back for Moran.
SPORTS PARK ADVANTAGE: They said back when the Utah Winter Sports Park opened two years ago that it would certainly make a difference in America's presence in the big three -- bobsled, luge and skeleton.
And it appears it has.
The United States won its first medals in luge in Nagano. Then the doubles team of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin (bronze medal winners) won the World Championship two weeks ago and capped that off by winning the U.S. National doubles at the Winter Sports Park last week.
Also last week, Jim Shea became the first American skeleton athlete to win the World Championships, which were held in Altenberg, Germany. Shea recorded the fastest push times in each of his three heats.
Lincoln Dewitt of Park City, in his first season, placed 17th.
LAST CHANCE: The U.S. Bobsled team has had some good results this season, but are still a ways from a championships title.
The last push for glory will come March 6-7 when the Winter Sports Park hosts the U.S. Championships.
TRYOUTS SLATED: For those who dream of becoming a member of the bobsled or skeleton programs, official tryouts will be held March 8 at 3:30 p.m. at the Park City High School.
A four-item test will be given to both male and female athletes. The test will measure speed, strength and explosiveness, the three most essential qualitys for a bobsled or skeleton athlete.
The test includes a 30- and 60-meter run, a vertical jump and time for five consecutive hops.
Those with top scores will be asked to attend the offical camp in Lake Placid this summer. For more information call 1-800-BOBSLED prior to March 3.