photo: Matt Power
I “met up” with Ted this week on email after hearing about his recent injury in New Zealand. Being an injured professional athlete is one of the most difficult positions to be in. But, some can maintain a solid attitude and come back even stronger. Ted is one of those. Here is a quick interview with Ted from last Friday, August 12th, 2011 talking about summer skiing, CO’s big year, and his recent injury at the World Heli Challenge.
photo: Matt Power
Ted Davenport, Pro Freeskier and BASE Jumper, Basics:
Age: 30
Born: Manchester, Ma
Now: I live in Basalt, Co, which is just down valley from Aspen. Ive been living in the valley for 7yrs now. Aspen Mountain is my home mountain, which includes Aspen Mt, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.
http://teddavenport.com
twitter: davsport
Facebook: teddavenport1
1. Things have been going great for you the past few years, where have you been lately that truly impressed you and why?
— Luckily I live in one of the most impressive places on earth, Aspen Co. But if I had to pick the coolest place I’ve been lately is Baffin Island. I was there part of a 30day expedition, BASE jumping off the worlds largest rock walls. Climbing up and around these massive faces and then gearing up and jumping off, well I gotta say its nothing short of fantastic. Also every time I travel to Europe I’m amazed even more at the sheer awesomeness of the Alps. I’ve got over 400jumps in Switzerland alone, and its definitely my favorite place to travel to, for skiing and BASE.
2. Alright, so BASE jumping is big for ya, huh? Cool. How much do you generally ski in the summer and where?
–Usually I have one trip in the summer to ski. The past couple years that’s been down to NZ for the World Heli Challenge. This country is so rad, there’s never a lack of things to do. Whether is skiing in the club fields, speedflying down Trebelcone, or buzzing around in a heli searching for epic lines, NZ rocks.
Dude has weird toes, right?
3. Ok, now it’s time for the dreaded question: How did you injury occur and what is the state of your injury?
— I got hurt during my second run of the World Heli Challenge in New Zealand this summer. I took off on about a 30ft air, and my trajectory was literally 12in too far to the right. I almost immediately knew I was screwed. I saw this pointy jagged rock poking up out of the snow, and I just hope it wasn’t as big as it looked. I took the hit straight to my feet, breaking my left lower leg and right heel.
4. Were the nurses hot in NZ? what are girls like down there in general?
–Well I’m a taken man, currently engaged to be married, and have been with my lady for over 6yrs now, and in that time I’ve only known one hot girl, and she’s engaged to me! 🙂
5. Ah, I see, we’ll skip that one. Have you been injured before? When, where, what injuries?
–oh yeah, I’ve had multiple knee surgeries, broken foot, back, ribs and a super cool looking separated shoulder. That’s over a 10yr period though. I had a pretty long string of getting injured a few years ago, and actually thought I might be over the hump. But this is dangerous activity we do. Fortunately for us its the most fun sport ever.
5b. It is damn fun. So, what are your plans for recovery?
–I’ll be hitting rehab harder than I ever have. Its no question I’ll be non-weight bearing for a couple months, so I’m expecting a one way ticket to the gun show 🙂
6. Nice, as you know “No Curls, No Girls.” How were the conditions at the World Heli Challenge?
–conditions this year were awesome. Not as awesome as back in 2009, but even still they were pretty epic. Super nice chalky powder, perfect for stomping airs and skiing fast.
Ted, thanks again for the interview. Everyone here at Unofficial wishes you a swift, smooth recovery and we’re stoked to rip some turns with you in Aspen next year.