Poster: A snowHead
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Bill Johnson, winner of the 1984 Olympic downhill at Sarajevo, has opted to take himself off life-support systems and leave a hospital which has been treating him. A severe infection led to his recent hospitalisation, at the age of 53, over a decade after a comeback attempt in 2001 which culminated in a crash that left him brain-damaged.
Ski Racing reports ...
http://www.skiracing.com/?q=node/21941
In view of the decision that Johnson has taken, Powder magazine has republished a 2011 profile of his difficult and turbulent life. This includes a video of his legendary 1984 Olympic victory [4 mins into the video] ... following extraordinary background footage of his lifestyle at the time ...
http://www.powdermag.com/stories/ski-to-die-the-bill-johnson-story/
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I was doing on-course split timing the gate above where he crashed at the US National Championsips at Big Mountain (now Whitefish Resort), Montana.
Truly sad day.
In the lead up to the race I was privileged to freeski and have a few drinks with Bill Johnson.
Hell of a tree and powder skier.
Behind the brash and competitive exterior was a regular guy.
Such a shame.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes, a real shame, sounds like he's in a no win situation. He's certainly met with triumph and disaster along the way. I loved the way he announced to the world that he was going to win in Sarajevo, and win it he did - I remember wanting those Atomic ARC "ride the red sled" skis. The incident which also sticks in my mind is the tragedy of losing his toddler son - an accidental drowning in the family hot tub. Hard to get over knocks like that.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wow, what a guy. Someone should make a film about him. Thank you for posting.
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That's funny I was thinking about what I would call it and reckoned downhill was a bit cliched!
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