“I was super bummed and disappointed of myself,” says Bas of his collar-bone- breaking crash. “After a few days at home, I finally calmed down and realized that this is all part of the game.”
Bas’s accident occurred in Australia while filming for NWD 9. The crew was filming at the famous dirt pipe Down Under – which is one of the most insane dirt pipes in the world. It’s basically a ski/snowboard halfpipe littered with hips and wall rides. With a few days of intermittent rain showers dampening the crew’s hopes of filming, the sun finally reared its head and it was on. But the dirt pipe was still slippery.
“It was supposed to be the only sunny day for the next week,” says Bas. “I felt a little uncomfortable riding the pipe in that condition, but I had to get something done. After a few runs I felt pretty dialed on the pipe and I started unleashing some of my bigger tricks.”
After multiple sessions of hitting one of the hip features, it began to develop some ruts on the lip. “I tried to hit the hip one more time before we took off, but it was the biggest mistake of my career so far,” says Bas. “The lip shot me sideways and right over the landing to flat. It wasn't the hardest crash I have ever taken, but it gave me my first broken bone – I knew I was in trouble when I couldn’t lift my right arm.”
Although Bas will not compete in his favorite contest – the Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler Aug. 9-17 – he will be on-hand signing autographs at the Kona tent and cheering on his compadres.
About the Kona Bicycle Company:
The Kona Bicycle Company designs, manufacturers and distributes more than 60 models of purpose-built, high-performance mountain, road and urban bicycles. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, USA, Kona bicycles are distributed worldwide in more than 60 countries through independent specialty bicycle dealers. Kona funds several professional road, mountain and cyclo-cross racing teams that include World Cup Champions, World Champions and National Champions. For more information check
www.konaworld.com Photo by:
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