Dane Spencer stable with head, neck and pelvis injuries after NorAm crash

Dane Spencer stable with head, neck and pelvis injuries after NorAm crashU.S. Ski Team racer Dane Spencer remains in stable condition in the critical-care unit of the Kalispell Regional Medical Center for injuries incurred during a NorAm downhill on Feb. 14 in Big Mountain, Montana. Spencer, a native of Boise, Idaho, is being treated for head, neck and pelvic injuries.

‘Ten different people have told me what a miracle it is that he’s alive’ said Jasmine Furnish, Spencer’s longtime girlfriend. ‘Most don’t survive that kind of a break. The break in his vertebrae just went the other way. He is so lucky.’

According to coach Tim LaMarche, Spencer crashed off the Launch Pad jump on the Big Mountain Ursa Major downhill track the same race course that left 1984 Olympic downhill gold medalist Bill Johnson injured in 2001. Spencer went into the jump with a loaded ski, got twisted up as he was launched into the air, then landed awkwardly on his side, the subsequent tumble ostensibly causing the injuries he sustained.

According to U.S. Ski Team medical director Melinda Roalstad, Spencer is being treated for a concussion, a second cervical vertebral injury and a lower thoracic vertebral fracture, which are stabilized, a pelvis fracture that is being evaluated further and other injuries.

‘At this point, [the prognosis] is better than when he first crashed’ said NorAm/Europa Cup coach Andrew Cesati on Feb. 15, adding, ‘It looks like he’s going to make a full recovery.’

Spencer was attended on the scene by the U.S. Ski Team’s Dr. Joe Pugleasa and the Big Mountain Ski Patrol and transported by helicopter to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

‘I want people to think good thoughts’ said Furnish. ‘It’s a miracle that he’s alive. Feel good about that. We’re also thankful for the care he is getting here in Kalispell. They are taking really good care of him.’

Spencer is generally considered hard working, gracious and humble. Earlier in the week, the NorAm/Europa Cup coaches made a point of telling Ski Racing how fortunate they felt to have Spencer, who is generally racing with the World Cup group, with the team.

Spencer finished seventh in the giant slalom at the 2005 World Championships in Bormio, Italy, and has scored in GS twice this year, including a 12th at Beaver Creek, but has been battling injuries all season. He finished 16th in the ’02 Olympic GS and narrowly missed making the Torino squad.

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Bryce Hubner contributed to this report.