By Arthur Stanley
IT'S the cliff jump that has shocked international skiing and sparked debate on whether extreme sports athletes have gone too far.
In arguably the most extraordinary risk-taking feat carried out for a sports action film, US extreme skier Jamie Pierre has soared off a 78m cliff in Wyoming, US – landed on his head – and lived to tell the tale.
Pierre's jump – the equivalent of stepping off a 24-storey office block – earned him a world record, strengthened his faith in God but didn't impress his wife Amee, who was at home with their baby daughter.
Pierre is on his way to Australia to promote this year's Warren Miller snowsports film, Off The Grid, which features his daredevil jump.
But he admits he has been under pressure from community groups who believe his jump has set a bad example to the thousands of youngsters who look up to extreme sports athletes.
Pierre, 34, didn't wear a helmet, lost his mouth guard in mid-air and was probably saved from injury by his unplanned head-first entry into 5m of fresh snow at the base of the cliff.
He admits such jumps are not without peril and warns young Australian skiers who watch Off The Grid not to attempt to mimic his "huck".
"Big jumps are not something recreational skiers should ever try," Pierre said.
"I have been a pro skier for 10 years and had been assessing conditions at this cliff for many years before deciding I could pull it off.
"But even then I was lucky. I didn't plan to land on my head, rather a slouch position. If I had landed on my skis from that height, the impact on my chest and face could have been disastrous."
About 35m into his jump, Pierre could not keep his skis under him and went upside down. He landed head first and was buried 2m in the snow.
A photographer rushed in and dug him free.
"I pretty much walked away from it with just a cut lip," Pierre said.
SKIER Jamie Pierre is featured in SNOW07 magazine, out in The Daily Telegraph on May 22. Off The Grid starts in Sydney and Canberra on May 31. Book through Warren Miller
Friday, April 20, 2007
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