I survived the X-GAMES!!!
My name is E.J. Poplawski. On March 25, 2006 I Lost my Right Leg competing at Crested Butte, CO in the 10th Annual U.S. Telemark Extreme Freeskiing Championships!
Yes thats right. My ski broke when I landed my final cliff drop of the competition. I tried to keep skiing on one ski but the broken ski continued to drag. I had to turn below a pine tree and above a cluster of small aspen trees. I didn’t make it and hit one of the 3 inch diameter aspen trees going about 40 mph. I hit the tree like a slalom gate and ripped my knee apart. I ruptured the popliteal artery, and unfortunately by the time they got me to the Hospital it was too late and they had to amputate my leg just above my knee. I also destroyed my right rotator cuff in my shoulder and that injury kept me off the snow for the 06-07 season. 07-08 I got back on snow. I had a segment in last years feature telemark ski film “The Pact” by www.powderwhore.com be sure to check it out!!! I have many Goals to accomplish including, competing again in Extreme Freeskiing Competitions, and possibly in the 2014 Paralympic Games in Russia. Last Year I started competing in Adaptive Ski Racing. This year I started snowmobile racing. I just got back from the Winter X-Games and competed in the first ever Adaptive Snocross competition!!!! It aired live on ESPN on Sunday January 31st, 2010. You can check out the video Here. I got 5th place!!! Look for me at the back of the pack. I jump forward just a little right before the start. I then drove back to Utah and then right to Mammoth Mountain, CA to give a presentation and go skiing with a group of soldiers participating in the Wounded Warrior Project. The local newspaper printed a story on my visit Check out the article Here Check out my blog for more of the story!!!
