Aussie freestyler recovers from ‘heaviest’ crash

AUSTRALIAN Russ Henshaw says he is happy to be alive after a heavy crash in training for the ski slopestyle event at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

The freestyle skier was attempting a switch triple when he gathered too much speed and landed on his head, splitting his helmet in two. "You win some, you lose some and today I definitely lost," he said in his blog.

Despite not feeling 100%, Henshaw decided to ski the finals, and finished eighth.

"I just didn't feel right on my skis after the crash and I think my skiing displayed that," he said. "Obviously I am bummed I wasn't able to ski to my potential, but on the bright side, after a crash like I had this morning, I am more than happy to be alive.

"It was probably the heaviest crash I have ever had and to be able to walk away is great."

Henshaw  will represent Australia at the Winter Olympics, which start next Friday.