About Remy Morton
Remy Morton (26) got on a BMX bike at the age of three and raced on Australia's Gold Coast, supported by his father Jim. The Specialized rider has mastered the whole gamut of gravity biking, from World Cup DH to slopestyle and Red Bull Hardline. Be sure to watch: Raw 100 Remy Morton (see link below).
Neck broken
Remy Morton: 2017 was my fateful year. I took part in the Loose Festival in Belgium. Nico Vink builds monstrous jumps here. I overshot the landing. The impact was like an explosion. My bike was wrecked, the fork burst and the force of the impact broke 22 bones, including my neck.
Fell into a coma
The fall caved in my chest, buckled my ribs like Mikado sticks, collapsed my lungs and ruptured my kidneys. I fell into a coma. When I woke up again after a month (!), many of the 22 broken bones had healed. Only my arm remained paralysed and no doctor knew whether it would remain flaccid or not.
Plan B
As I still couldn't close my fist properly a year after the crash - despite all the physio and all the therapy - I had to give up my World Cup downhill career. I couldn't hold on to the handlebars. Even today, seven years after the crash, I can't do a full DH run without my arm going numb. That's why I focussed more on freeriding and filming instead of racing.
A matter of the head
Did the fall traumatise me? No, because I'm trying to overcome the trauma. What happened in Belgium was the worst crash of my life. Now I tell myself that it's behind me. Ticked off. This mental somersault helped me to clear my head. It's the only way I can take part in events like the Red Bull Hardline or the Rampage.
Self-confidence
The fall taught me a lot. Like when I have to say no. I now know my limits and no longer allow myself to be tempted by ego or peer pressure. The fall also showed me what my body can withstand. According to the motto "If I survive this, I'll survive the rest."
Work out
When I was riding World Cup DH, I often ran to the gym. Now my training is called riding and digging (building jumps). I watch what I eat, but I don't have a special diet. I want to try out the country's specialities, especially when I'm travelling. Sooo tasty!
Ankle
In 2016, I jumped into a Foampit with little foam, crashed through and broke my right ankle. In 2018, it was the left one. I pushed with too much speed into a turn in Schladming. I don't know what exactly happened, but the ankle broke. Some mornings, I walk the first few metres after getting up like I'm walking on raw eggs. But with a lot of stretching, I can get to grips with it.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
