Twenty-two year old Professional downhill racer John Waddell of Perth, Australia, was hospitalized after a crash during his race on Saturday at the Mont -Ste-Anne World Cup. Waddell, racing for the Intense Tire/Santa Cruz team, was taken from the course unconscious after falling approximately 30 feet to the ground from a section of the course that claimed several elite downhill racers this weekend. As of 7:00 PM on Sunday evening Waddell remains unconscious, however has sensation in his extremities. He?s under medical supervision and is expected to remain in the Quebec hospital for the next couple of weeks.
?We?re all very concerned for Johnny,? said ITS/Santa Cruz teammate Gary Houseman. ?Our team had been doing well over the past few weeks, but John getting better is the only thing on our minds at this time.?
In recent weeks, ITS/Santa Cruz team had been on a roll through the NORBA NCS series. John Waddell finished third in the NCS #2 downhill at Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia, and Gary Houseman took second in the mountaincross. Last week?s NCS #3 downhill at Mt. Snow, Vermont, Gary?s older brother Rich Houseman took 10th for his best 2003 finish to date.
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