Nearing the end of a gruelling season, the new FIS World Downhill champion Erik Guay looked at his Canadian ski team colleagues, a team that has seen eight drop outs through injury, including former World Downhill Champion John Kucera who is having an MRI scan, and voiced doubts about the pace of ski helmet improvements. As on-piste speeds have increased, Guay sees much less advancement in skiers safety gear, and drew comparisons with the far greater protection in motorbike helmets against what he called “Those eggshells we wear.” Guay was looking at his team mate Robbie Dixon who is currently out of racing due to concussion, as is fellow racer Georgia Simmerling who is also recovering from knee injury. Following US skier Lindsey Vonn’s concussion, Canadian Kelly Vanderbeek blogged her concerns about the poor state of head protection “The brain is different” she stated, aluding to the ability to mend broken bones and torn ligaments.

Source: Globe & Mail

Image: FIS