The Grindelwald race, the crash, and the end of my season

My season has been cut short due to a shoulder injury today. In the first heat (round of 32) of the day I was completely blindsided by another competitor. I took the early lead and held it until the bottom. I went over the last jump and into the last 90-degree turn when suddenly I saw out of the corner of my eye one of my competitors barreling towards me. I tried to move to the right and avoid him. I also tried to outrun him. I felt like I was attempting to avoid an avalanche. Right when I thought I was in the clear, Tommy Eliasson’s body wrapped around my feet and took me down. The next thing I remember was seeing a Swiss medic hovering over me. I thought he said, “Do you have any nose hairs?” I started cracking up and I asked him “Did you just ask me if I have nose hairs?” Luckily the U.S. Ski Team doctor was there and he said, “no, he asked if you have any numbness.” And to that I replied, “no, I can feel everything, unfortunately.’ I then looked up at Jake who told me I had just been taken out. I then looked over at Lloyd Tucker who was staring at me wide-eyed and I passed out again. Lloyd told me later he was the first one to get to me. He said I was laying there face down, nose bleeding on the snow, snoring like a baby. I was out for close to a minute. The Swiss medic then loaded me onto a helicopter and flew me to Interlaken. Just my luck! My first helicopter ride in the Swiss Alps and the only thing I can see is the ceiling of the helicopter and one other thing, the medic’s nose hairs. It was such a beautiful day too.

I just talked with Jake and he told me I came to and said slowly, “Dude, something bad just happened didn’t it? I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to be lying here like this.” Jake also told me what had really happened. Apparently the guy in third place landed on Tommy, who was in second. That shot Tommy like a rocket towards me. He missed the gate, cut off my angle, and took me out.
After a CT scan and some x-rays they determined my head was fine but I have a grade 3 AC separation. That’s much more serious than what I had before so it looks like I’m done for the year. It’s such a bummer too. I just started feeling healthy and 100 percent. I was ready to go claim another Jeep King title. I really felt I was on my game and ready to post some victories.
Oh well. I have a lot to be thankful for and I know it can always be worse. I had a pretty good year and I look forward to the next. Right now I’m just going to take some percoset, read a book, and try to sleep through the pain.