It happens quite often and we hate to see it, but some of our favorite riders are out of the X Games going on RIGHT NOW due to injury. First one to go was James Foster, a favorite to win the "Big Air" discipline. Luke Parslow held a jam, like a fun get together typical of Parslow's events, but Foster isn't one to just dead sailor every set for fun. Unfortunately, on a double whip flip attempt he broke his leg. Not sure what the timeframe is for recovery but let's just hope he recovers fully and it doesn't affect his career in the long run.

The first of 4 vert riders to go down was vert legend Jay Eggleston. While participating at the first Dew Tour stop a week ago he came down hard on the flat bottom, what all vert riders try to avoid as the proper way to fall is with the transition. Jay is still unconscious in the hospital as far as we know and the doctors are watching over him carefully. Hopefully he wakes up as so many strong riders have in the past.

Another vert rider, my personal favorite, Coco Zurita also acquired a leg injury. Not sure if it was at the Dew Tour event or just practice prior to the Games, but Coco fractured his ankle and will also have to watch the X Games and the following Dew Tour event go on without him.

And yet another vert contestant, Chad Kagy, goes down hard during the Big Air event. Something that can't be ignored about Big Air is the danger in simply jumping at that magnitude. Throw in going upside down and doing a tailwhip? It's a recipe for disaster that he's escaped (and landed) several times in the past, but not this time as he loses momentum in mid air, bails out, and comes down awkward on his leg, breaking his femur.

Add another to the injured list, Simon Tabron under rotated a 900 during the vert finals and broke his collarbone, requiring surgery and some metal. Gnarly stuff. Apparently, Chad and Simon are hanging out together for a while as they both recover from surgery-requiring injuries.

That said, let's hope for a speedy recovery for all, especially Jay who may have experienced more serious head injuries.