Kevin Rolland returns to pipe 11 months after accident
Mar 31, 2020·Freeski Park & Pipe
Some great news came out of France in the past week, where Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games bronze medallist, four-time world championship medallist (including Inawashiro 2009 gold), and three-time halfpipe crystal globe winner Kevin Rolland returned to the pipe for the first time since a devastating injury suffered last spring.
Rolland was hospitalised in serious condition on April 30 of last year after crashing while trying to break the world record for biggest quarterpipe air at his home resort of La Plagne. Rolland reportedly lost control in the air approximately 12m above the landing, crashing onto his head, neck, and back, and suffering a broken pelvis that required immediate surgery as well as extensive injuries to his upper body and internal organs.
The injuries were described by many outlets as “life-threatening,” and concerns over whether or not Rolland would be able to ski post-recovery were much lower on the priority list than whether or not he would be able to walk and live a normal life again - especially with his girlfriend set to give birth to their son just days after the accident.
However, against all odds, Rolland was back on skis in December at La Plagne, updating his social media feeds with photos and video of some epic powder riding throughout the season.
Last week, Rolland’s recovery to the form that saw him take silver at last season’s Utah 2019 world championships took another huge step, as the 30-year-old posted a clip to Instagram of himself boosting out of the pipe in Crans Montana (SUI), including a massive left side double cork 1260 - all just 11 months after his near-death experience.
Unfortunately, Rolland’s triumphant day in the pipe was the final day of operation before all ski resort activity was shut down in Switzerland due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, meaning that we’ll have to wait for next season to see the next steps for one of freeskiing’s all-time greats.
Still, we’re all thankful to see to Mr. Rolland back ripping and giving us something to smile about in these troubled times.
