Updated: Brendan Fairclough Airlifted from Lenzerheide World Cup with Severe Gash to Thigh

 It seems like the bikes are better and allow the riders to go faster - wonder if you could find data on that. Next question might be what to do to make the sport marginally safer... It's an inherently dangerous sport, but could you slow down certain sections to reduce injuries?

 @shredddr: Look at supercross/motocross. Injury is a huge part of the sport, it just is what it is and will always be part of the story. Race at the highest level, get hurt occasionally. I would hate to see them neuter down tracks, it is open racing at the highest level, not a "modified" class.

 I think there's never been closer competition which means the riders are all pushing harder so they don't fall behind. Hope to see fewer injuries in the future.

 Was just thinking exactly this, and not just in DH, seems like every day insta is filled with a fresh batch of injury posts by big names across the sport. Lots of healing vibes being sent out every dang where! Today's super capable bikes inspire confidence, and everyone is pushing limits, nature of the beast I suppose.

 Definitely doesn’t help this year has been insanely dry and hot. But yeah nature of the beast at that level. Hell I’ve been riding for 6 years now and finally broke a bone two as dk ago!

 Two weeks ago*^

 @shredddr: if I was picking an area to improve it would be rider protective equipment. Compare what the average DH racer wears to what moto guys wear, assuming dh guy is even wearing armour at all. Obviously they can't wear a full set of mx leathers, but i bet a standardised "DH Suit" that covered the outer thighs, hips, spine, shoulders and chest would cut injuries measurably. But you'll never stop it entirely.

 @shredddr: yep, you just squeeze the lever that your index finger is resting on

 @shredddr: its racing...

 @Dnik: I hear you but I think you can strategically build trails so that they reduce rider speed and amplitude without "neutering" the track. The riders will go as fast as the track allows, so with strategic use of corners, gradient, and technical features, you can reduce their speed and air time (thus reducing the possible impact of crashes) without making it less challenging.

 @BiNARYBiKE: Absolutely. People struggle to realize that a low speed technically challenging jank section that everyone crashes on is far safer than a high speed groomed blue flow bike park jump…

 I hope he heals up back to 100%
He is one of the most entertaining riders to watch.

 @shredddr: there isn’t much you can do. No matter what you do to the track riders of this level will push it right to the limit. Whatever is in front of them, wether it be an insanely fast straight away or and slow technical rock section, they will ride it right on the edge. They will always be one tiny mistake away from a big wreck no matter what type of track they are on.

 @Linc: I think there is enough evidence from some of the recent losses and nasty injuries that we've seen in recent years that it's poorly designed tracks or even mellow stuff that catches the best off guard. Bernard Kerr just had a nasty crash on the easiest section at hardline at low speed, another injury off a flat turn at moderate speed and smashed his head both times. Jordie died on a blue trail he should have had no issue riding, just bad luck as far as we know. The big crashes on the tracks at high speed have generally been on poorly designed sections with shitty run-ins. As long as the tracks are properly designed I'm not sure there is much difference between a bike parky track and one that's janky and "slow." They'd still be going plenty fast for gnarly features with as much consequence.

 @shredddr: there's no question. Bikes are too good so if you want to be at the top you have to run lines that if you crash you won't be walking away from. Track design is definitely the answer. Tracks that are hard to go fast on will eventually be the way forward.

 @Linc: I'm struggling with that, please explain how that is.
My assumption has been compound+trail contact helps riders to stay on their bikes.

 @Linc: absolutely right, ask whistler bike park patrol for their injury stats.

 @Linc: the crash stats from ews that pinkbike published indicated the opposite, rocky sections are over-represented in injury reports.

 @juanny: Do those stats take into account the number of riders a particular trail receives compared to where the injuries happen? And if so, how is/are such data collected?

 @TrevZ: In near future, most likely be more problems if weather forecast is right with rain on Saturday after noon?
www.ventusky.com/?p=46.70;9.99;6&l=rain-3h

 @shredddr: could add bigger less agile wheels to that data.............
Bring on the down votes

 Dangerous sport , is It worth the risk ?

 @chummyweim: hardline,easy?? Plus not trollin, but thought Jordie died on a gap jump? Which isn't blue here . Think the "easy" stuff looks little cause big stuff insane, but it's all pretty dangerous

 @dthomp325: I never mentioned ews or rocky sections

 @Fix-the-Spade: I'm sure there is a lot that could be done on protective gear and this could well trickle down into gear for everyday riding which would benefit everyone. A bit of Kevlar and reactive armour could be incorporated into most clothing without a noticeable hit to comfort.

 @BiNARYBiKE: LOL. Reducing speed and amplitude IS neutering the track!

 @Linc: I'd agree with that, the amount of accidents and air ambulance calls to one of our local trail centres for offs on a flowy-but-jumpy (all tables but with some pretty big lips) trail just after it opened was nuts.

 @G-Sport: Yep, a bit of kevlar or cordura on the sticky-out bits would help loads- look at MotoGP leathers, only the sticky-out bits that are most likely to come into contact with the track in an off are actually leather or armoured, the rest of it is all breathable stretch fabric. I'm not suggesting sending DHers out in bike leathers but a little extra crash-proofing couldn't hurt.

 @PACNW-MTB: behind the screen only!

 @PACNW-MTB: I wrote this in the past here already but i think DH MTB faces the same problems DH Skiing had and still has. Tracks/Slopes where built when the material was slower, and become insane to ride with faster and faster material and better technique/Training. Now in DH skiing they have started to neuter the slopes (Kitzbühl finish line jump for example among others). The question here tough is why not take out a little bit of speed instead of removing the demanding stuff? Wouldn't racing at Mach 2 speed but on demanding features be preferable to racing at Mach 3 speed on leveled ground?

 What is safe, what is technical? There are so many different aspects to either of them and everyone seems to focus on a (different) single one. Of course we're going to disagree, even if we agree with what the other said. Look, this is Pinkbike. Let's just, in classic PB manner, call everyone else an idiot and go back to discussing US politics.

 R.I.P. Leg

 @HMRobot45: Why not let the WC riders decide if the courses are appropriate or not? I've about had it with people pretending to "care" about people who may get hurt by engaging in the activities that they CHOOSE to by legislating "safety" into said activities, all while sitting behind their keyboard.

It's nunya business.....

 @Fix-the-Spade: The kit exists, the riders choose not to wear it. I guess all the time it's optional then if there's a chance wearing it will make you slightly slower than the next rider then it's not going to get used.

Make the equipment mandatory and you'll see money being spent to advance what's already available.

 @ChiefSilverback: you are correct no one wants to wear it

 1944 was bad.

 @Dnik: If you listen to pro's talking about Super Cross these days they tell you the 450s are too damn fast and just scary to ride.

 @BiNARYBiKE: You can try that, but without a doubt it will just end up watered down like any sport that has tried the same thing.

 @Dnik: think more f1: they’ve made tracks and cars way safer without making it boring by any means. It could just mean better padding placement, taping, and swapping the directions of a few rocks.

 @DrStairs: I am honestly curious; Why do you care what other people choose to do, dangerous or not?

 @PACNW-MTB: if you just continue and do nothing at some point somebody WILL die, and at this point somebody will sue which will lead to changes in one form or another. Now you can address this problem proactively, or you can just close your eyes and stick your fingers in your ears and pretend that you are 10 years old, but sooner or later this will have to be addressed.

And as a spectator speed!=fun, so changing tracks to slow riders down is actually an upside in my opinion.

 Yeah it is passing my line of support. Kids giving their health and expecting lifelong injuries in trade for a living income (this year) in the sport isn’t cool. Riding for fun by yourself? - go ahead and kill yourself. Being pushed by sponsors/industry to faster and further with 100% of the r&d/advertising going into speed and nothing into safety isn’t the racers fault or responsibility.

 @HMRobot45: I lam honestly curious; Why do you care what other people choose to do, dangerous or not?

Secondly, Why must you jump right to the insinuation that I am acting like a child just because I may have a differing view?

And thirdly, if, "speed!=fun", then please explain how, in your opinion, slower is an upside? Strange logic, if you ask me.

 @Jvisscher: Ummm.....it is the kids that "expect" to make a living in the sport that is the problem, NOT the sport itself. It is mostly the parents' fault for not instilling and enforcing reasonable expectations of their children. Don't blame the sport itself, or the athletes who choose to compete at the highest level.

Nobody is being "pushed" by sponsors/industry. People make choices, people live with the consequences. People sometimes make bad choices, it is nobody's fault but their own.

Serious question: When do you stop blaming everyone and everything for your shortcomings, and take freaking responsibility for your own actions and life decisions, and leave everybody else to do the same?

 @HMRobot45: I don’t get this obsession people have with slowing the riders down. That’s not likely to do anything to make the sport safer. No matter what kind of course you lay out, the top riders in the world will ride it right on the edge of ‘too fast’. Wide open course they won’t hit the brakes. Put a bunch of rocks, roots, etc and they will just look for the fastest most risky lines, gaps, shortcuts, etc.

 @PACNW-MTB: Very difficult to say when split second decision could mean difference between career ending injury or not?
Shit happens!
But no way that can say that sponsorship does not come with some pressure to get results?
But if you are having fun it is not as difficult to perform when needed but is important to understand what is your own motivations & what helps you get your best results?

 @aljoburr: That is a part of life. You make it sound as though pressure to perform is a bad thing? I feel pressure to get results in the profession I CHOSE, why should it be any different in any other CHOSEN career? The more VALUE I bring my employer, the more $$ I make. It is still 100% my own decision to work as hard (or not) as I wish.

 @PACNW-MTB: if sponsors quit paying for Instagram posts and only paid for results at Rampage it would be the worst case of encouraging or guiding risky behaviour. I don’t believe parents have as much influence here as you do. Maybe Im wrong. But I do like the trend of heading away from racing and toward influencer-style social media and other pay where you don’t need to be on the edge of obvious danger to perform. Look at that video of the riders from Kamloops who went to Deseus the other day and didn’t even really ride it because it was an off day with bad conditions. Still made an episode and didn’t have a timeline on that date to do or die. I’d much rather see and support that. Mind you, i come from a background of paragliding and climbing which usually has much more severe consequences if you don’t respect the weather. Biking can be done almost anytime, like I did yesterday all day in the pouring rain at Whistler.

 @sino428: because speed is the primary mechanism of injury so if coming into a gnarly rock garden you put a tight corner in front of it instead of a straightaway then when riders do crash the injuries will be much less severe overall.

 @Jvisscher: If it wasn't profitable to pay for Insta posts, sponsors wouldn't do it. Insta posts are profitable because that is what garners views. It is the viewers that decide what gets paid and what doesn't, not the sponsors.

As far as parents having influence, they should always have the greatest amount of influence on their children. If they don't, they simply are not doing a good job of parenting. I raised two boys that were very competitive at their chosen sport. As they progressed and proved that they were at the top of their game locally (big fish, small pond), it was my responsibility to evaluate if pursuing higher levels of competition was realistic or fantasy. In any given activity or sport in which there is an opportunity to earn a living, only a very small percentage of participants will actually earn a living at it. It is the parent's responsibility to guide said children into realistic expectations, all while not squelching the motivation and desire of that child to continue to pursue the top of his game. Talent is a terrible thing to waste by not nurturing it, yet it is also a travesty to not truly understand the level of talent one does, or does not have and know when to stop pursuing a possibly impossible dream/goal.

 @PACNW-MTB: I'm blown away by all your down votes. It's like people forget that you need speed for your suspension to work properly but then again most of them just aren't willing to take a mediocre risk themselves and never really learned that aspect of mountain biking. You throw a sharp turn in right before the rock garden riders will not be able to fully utilize their suspension and have to find the slower line weaving through the rocks instead of going over them. Of course there will be fewer high speed crashes but I already watch the XC races for that kind of riding. What is with this trend of taking away other people's ability to choose what is right for themselves? These guys all know the risks involved and are willing to take them. Who are we to say what risks are acceptable for them, most of us don't even have the talent to properly ride a double black but we can dictate what pros should and shouldn't do because the weekend warriors aren't comfortable with it.

 @lifeofloon: The riders do not get to choose the tracks they ride on. There were comments during track walk at Lenzerheide from at least 1 rider (forgetting who now) that was quite happy that this year the track detoured around a rock garden (as compared to last years track) that was incredibly dangerous. Who are you to say that the riders wouldn't prefer to have some of the truly dangerous sections of track removed?

 @friendlyfoe: then let the riders decide but don't make decisions for all based of off the few. Only when the majority of riders are saying it should it be addressed. One racer who is feeling uncomfortable isn't entitled to change things for everyone else who is comfortable. They may not get full choice on the tracks but every section has multiple lines with varying degrees of difficulty and the riders do get to choose which line they are willing to risk.

 @friendlyfoe: that’s just not how it really works. It’s a downhill bike race. The riders will ride the rock garden as fast as they can regardless of what you put in front of it. If they feel they need to slow down they will hit the brakes, if they want more speed it won’t take them long to get back up to full speed once they go around whatever tight corner you put in. These courses are generally very steep. Once they let off the brakes they will be right back up to ‘dangerous’ speeds.

 @friendlyfoe: That was Brendog. How did that work out for him?

 @Dnik: i agree. Personally, I think the injuries have always been there. Its just that now, everyone posts their injuries to social media before they even get to the dam hospital. You can say the tracks are too fast, bikes are too good, riders are going too fast to win over the next guy. But I have been a huge fan of action sports like super cross and dh mtb for a long, long time, and to me its athletes and social media that make it seem like there is more going on than a few years ago. There are also more and more athletes competing as the world of action sports grows with more events and popularity.

 @BiNARYBiKE: Brendan slid out on a relatively benign section of track .
I just watched his VLOG . Not jumping or a high speed corner . Maybe a little off chamber .
Very unlucky , he would have fallen off like that many times before .

Get well soon Brendog .

 @DrStairs: @DrStairs: No doubt F1 has gotten faster and safer, but I wouldn't say the racing has gotten any less boring...

 @maxxx: ok, any *more* boring. That said, I watched the race in Hungary and it was pretty captivating.

 @sino428: I could agree with almost every one of the above comments, both those for and against more safety, because there's no perfect solution here, just an ongoing challenge. Every track is different, especially in wet/dry conditions and limits will be tested whatever happens, and obviously that's what we want to see. I don't think teams or sponsors (definitely not parents!) are pushing riders to get hurt - these guys are there because they are already driven to be the best - pressure is just part of the sport and the mentality. There's an incredible depth of talent in the DH field now, which just pushes them all even more and maybe they are going harder and faster than ever. I'm not sure there's a way to 'slow them down'. There are always going to be some crazy fast and steep sections, big drops etc.

That said, we want to see it week in, week out. When top riders are out injured it's a disappointment for everyone. Rider safety has to be a consideration and we want to see the most skilled win, not just those willing to take the biggest risks. I'm all for making a certain minimum standard of protective gear mandatory. But measured risk is part of a winning run as well. I'm sure track builders are working to keep up, as they must. We have seen a few shitty features here and there this year that looked like someone was gonna die on, but I'm sure the builders saw their mistakes too and they'll get improved... and then other problem areas will emerge... it's all about development to keep testing the riders.

Personally I'd like to see tracks get a little more tech and twisty so you're really able to see the differences between rider styles, lines etc. instead of trying to figure out who railed the rut or squashed the jump the best - you just can't pick that stuff up well without studying the timing breakdowns. Jumps and berms are fun to watch, but they don't actually determine who wins. Give them more line choices and make them pedal and pump more instead of just all riding the same lines a milisecond faster or slower. And throw in a few curveballs too - one thing I really liked was that last little chicane at the finish of Lenzerheide... that kind of odd feature can really test a rider's handling skills and make or break a race. Or it might be a wide, grassy turn that they have to judge the speed just right on. It doesn't have to be dangerous to be challenging.

 @PACNW-MTB: Except it is like that in almost every other professional sport from team sports to motocross. Why do you think the NFL has lawsuits against them regarding helmet protection.. Any profession has required saftey measures, most of them are enforced by laws and multiple agencies.. hence OSHA.. Yeah you choose a line of work, but the people paying you have a responsibly to keep you safe.. If not they would send you into dangerous situations without any protective gear to keep costs down on expensive safety equipment.
It isn't that far fetched with the way that systems like the VDP2.0 can be better implemented..
The problem is companies aren't investing in further advances and options because they aren't forced to keep their riders safe.. There is no reason a more lightweight/flexible slider/undershirt can't be made. The current ones are bulky and hot and that is why riders don't wear them.. most riders don't even wear elbow pads and a lot don't wear kneepads.. That's totally fine outside of a race.. I mean as a sponsor I'd do everything I can to avoid injury off the track as well, I need my rider in the most healthy version of himself.. It is why you pay him after all. The more the professional riders make this kind of stuff everyday practice, and shun the latter the more progress you will see....
Shit BMX still has a major problem with most of them not wearing fking helmets.. A lot of their most famous riders have ended their careers to those injuries...with feeding tubes.. but sponsors will still put out full page ads the next day... No one is say put bubble wrap around them, but bikes are so fking advanced now people are flying though parks faster than ever, comfortably stable.. we even have freaking emtbs and still basic protection is primitive at best.

 @Jakeryan760: You and I have differing opinions on who should take responsibility for my safety. I say I do, you say my employer, the NFL, the Government should. If you can't see the flaw in expecting someone else to have my best interest, I can't help you and I hope that works out for you, but my experience has been that I am the best advocate for myself, relying on others will disappoint the vast majority of the time.

Why don't YOU make a slider undershirt instead of complaining that nobody else is?

 @shredddr: I think we should just let the riders determine their own threshold for speed and safety. If they want to push, let them, if they don't, that is fine too. Pretty simple, really. Problem solved.

 he was talking about serious cuts...

 @dasan: i love trails i eat shit on often. lol

 @isaacgibson:

Agreed, my favourite tracks are:

New tracks
Tracks that scare me
Tracks I crash on a lot

 Seriously he was rifling off numerous stories about many many stitches and that's apparently precisely what this injury was, though maybe even worse. As initial fears were compound fracture, but no bones are broken apparently. Big ups to the Dog himself but fuckin ell I'd just leave this track alone I think he enjoys it too much and pushes the pace after the flow sections into the rough. Wonder where the accident occurred on the track.

 @lepigpen: it’s in BK’s video, posted yesterday.

 m.youtube.com/watch?v=czp6luIRiPM&t=600

 Thought that too. It’s a bad luck track for him.

 Ya I guess I'm just getting old and have been following these guys for too long and care too much about them. Every one of these articles that comes out, I'm thinking, "not worth it!"

 That can be said for any professional athlete. Look at football, basketball, volleyball, etc. they have bad knees, shoulders, ankles, etc.

For some, the thrill of competing in something they love is worth it, for others not so much. It’s not for spectators to decide.

 Oh man, that is so true with regard to sports injuries. And people push through recovery like that's a race too.

 I spoke to a similar ex-pro friend on the snowboard side. He said you do all of that, even make the Olympics etc...you barely make any money, no one even knows who you are 10mins later and then its done and your body is often pretty toasted. Meanwhile the rest of the above-average bros are touring the hell out of everything until their mid-60's. If it was the NBA or something where you can get a 20-30mil 4yr contract pretty easily as a bench player (if you make it there)...then maybe its worth it. Hell guys get 200mil$+ 4/5yr contracts now there. But I dunno about the adventure sports side as a pro...not a lot of upside and your shelf life is pretty short/risky. There's more to the sport than just racing, if not the best parts are not racing.

 well I get your point and somehow agree, but on the other hand you dont need to be remotely pro to have pain in your body at 36 haha *cries*

you only live once so if you get a shot at making it in the world scene in whatever your passion is, go for it!

 I’d agree, im 38, riding since 15, I’m nowhere near pro but I’ve had wrecks racing that I still have to do physio for every day, this is the other side of all this redbull extreme sports marketing, kids are growing up with rampage and hardline as the new normal and risk sustaining life changing injuries trying to emulate their hero’s. When I was a lad, we rode 26” hard tails down mellow trails and had way more fun (IMO!). Concept of having fun doesn’t sell the next carbon race bike with £1500 electric shifters though.

 @adwest: all kids or just the ones predisposed to pushing themselves and wanting to be the best? We have two kids and they are vastly different in what risks they are willing to take on a bike yet they are both exposed to the same biking content. It's the parents responsibility to acknowledge their children's personality and then assess their abilities and guide them to making responsible decisions on the bike. Just because Rampage and Hardline exist and are accessible to kids doesn't mean every kid on a bike cares to emulate that.

 He was going to send in Utah this year! He just got his cork 3’s dialed at nines…
… Maybe he can still make it

I hiked and skied a mountain 10 weeks after full femur snap. And now that we know this really is just a flesh wound… I’m telling you there’s a chance.

 @snomaster: 100% there is!

Chin up Dog, you’ve got this!!

 @snomaster: "Tis but a scratch!"

-Black Knight

 @Svinyard: haha Black Adder yes mate!

 Thibaut, Amaury, sure there's plenty more this year unfortunately

 Anyone who knows otherwise feel free to correct me, but I think Its just more common to get airlifted for injuries in certain countries. Not sure about Switzerland, but I think I remember hearing in France they will airlift you for surprisingly minor stuff.

 @EnsBen: True

 @IsaacWislon82:
Exactly, here in Switzerland you get airlifted even for a minor injury. Everybody has an accident insurance that you pay for that. DH is considered temeraire so organisators of the event have to pay something more so you are covered for all the care you could get.

 Here is the second most expensive healthcare on the planet, I’m pretty sure he will pay a fair bit - Rega helicopters don’t come cheap…

 According to his instagram story it still cost him 13K

 I think he may have even mentioned crashing and cutting his shin on a boulder there.

 This is true. The last time he qualifide for the Finals in Lenzerheide was in 2016