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Kevin Rolland returns to pipe 11 months after accident

Mar 31, 2020·Freeski Park & Pipe
Kevin Rolland (FRA) in action at the Utah 2019 world championships © US Ski & Snowboard

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.

2019 was intense emotionally and physically... Here are some of the highlights: - 2nd place at the world championship - The worst accident of my career trying to break the world record which almost killed me. - The birth of my son - turning 30 Looking forward 2020 with the same level of intensity without the near death experience... 🙄😅

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.

A sense of timing. My first real training at @cmsnowpark after my accident happened to be on the last day the stations were still open before the confinement. Fortunately my winter ends as well as I had hoped « in a halfpipe » By posting this video I am forced to remember what state I was in at the end of last winter and what stages I had to go through mentally and physically. I realize how lucky I am to be able to continue doing what I love. I'm ending this winter full of hope and determination to be back at the highest level in competition next year. I have missed the adrenaline that Half Pipe gives me :) ———————————- Le sens du timing. Mon retour à l’entraînement @cmsnowpark après mon accident aura été le dernier jour d'ouverture des stations avant le confinement. Heureusement mon hiver se termine comme je l'avais espéré « Dans un halfpipe » En postant cette vidéo je suis obligé de me remémorer dans quel état je me trouvais en fin d’hiver dernier est quelles étapes j’ai dû franchir mentalement et physiquement, je réalise la chance que j’ai de pouvoir continuer à faire ce que j'aime. Je termine l’hiver plein d'espoir et de determination pour retrouver le haut niveau en compétition l’an prochain. L'adrénaline que me procure le Half Pipe m'avait beaucoup manqué :) . . . 🎥 @mathias_lopez_vecomvideo

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.

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