this really sucks..

[jcampbell]

http://www.myspace.com/mtbtara

http://www.tarallanesracing.com

Might want to keep her in your prayers.

[Everett56]

Yeah she got hurt bad. Looks like her career might be over, I just hope she can walk. Good Luck Tara!

[foofighter]

i watched that race on tv and maybe it was editing but i thought they interviewed her afterwards and she was fine...that really sucks for her though

[Neccros]

On leelikesbikes.com there are pics and a write up on her and I beleive they will be doing a local Socal fundraiser for her for her medical expenses....

I will keep an eye out for info and post it here if someone doesnt beat me to it....

[mntbiker12]

This really sucks! It's always dangerous getting on your bike and hitting the trails, so it really hits home when you hear stuff like this. I've always enjoyed Tara on TV and in the rags; she's seems super cool. Here's hoping that she pulls through with no lasting injuries!!

[allison]

Hope she ends up okay! She seemed to go down hard in Rd 1 in Utah as well...

[dstepper]

Very sad, hope she pulls through, I know how I would feel if I could not ride again. And I guess in her case maybe not walk. I am a wuss anyway and this does not help. Yes it is always dangerious riding, but downhilling at thier speeds...! Surprized it does not happen more often.

Last time I was in Big Bear we saw her in the parking drinking a after ride beer.

Dean

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by jcampbell

http://www.myspace.com/mtbtara

http://www.tarallanesracing.com

Might want to keep her in your prayers.

it really SUCKS

Jeff if you remember we rode with her G friend a few weeks ago up Black Star.

[~ Pakiha ~]

It does sucks that it happened, but that can be the nature of the sport, and we've signed on regardless. She's as tough and determined as they come though, already wanting to begin PT. Shows shes got not only the heart but the drive. All of us who have broken something (especially lately) have a small understanding of what she's going through.
JamR's broke something serious and was airlifted, KeithB just shattered his arm and has more metal in it than a homemade bird house. SAR_Boats nearly took his arm off at the loop (tree at the bottom of the steep hill before Coyote hills Dr.) and I'm not going to count the post crash crashes (mainly cause I can't). And most of us know I was airlifted only a few weeks after joining up as well as recently snapping a clavicle.
The time we wait while we let ourselves heal just enough to allow us to finally recuperate only seems to drive our fire. Brings new meaning to the old adage, "Absence makes the heart grow Fonder" Fortunately for us we're used to pain and driving through it, and I have no doubt thats what she's doing right now, mentally Smashing the pedals on the course to recovery.

One things for sure, she's in my thoughts and payers, and may the Healing vibes that are shared here make their way to Colorado.

[CPATCRASH]

It does suck and I hope she recovers fully. But as far as our sport. Sure it can be dangerous but we can all be injured at any time. One of my wife's co workers just broke her neck falling down the stairs at work (damn heels) and although she isn't paralyzed she has numbness and trouble holding things.

Just be safe in whatever you do. Life without risk is no life at all!

[ghixon]

I remember reading about this on-line somewhere. I didn't realize she was still in the hospital. YIKES. Goes to show, it can happen to anyone - including the experts.

My sorry butt is doomed.

[CeeDubb]

She's in my prayers.

[Letyrides]

This just got posted:

American women's four cross and BMX racer, Tara Llanes, is paralysed from the waist down after crashing in the Jeep King of the Mountain in Beaver Creek, Colorado last Saturday.

Llanes was racing against Jill Kintner in the semi-final when she crashed, breaking her seventh cervical vertebra. She required seven hours of surgery in Denver Health Hospital to stabilise her, and has undergone further surgery since then.

Llanes' family reported that she is "now breathing on her own and able to communicate with friends and family. Unfortunately at this time she has no feeling below her waist, a symptom she suffered as a result of her crash.

"Since coming out of surgery, Tara, drugged and very happy, has kept in good spirit and has promised not to let this beat her ... We are hoping Tara will be able to come back home in one to two weeks."

A relief/rehabilitation fund is being set up, with details to be confirmed later this week. In the meantime, messages of support can be left on www.myspace.com/mtbtara while flowers/gifts can be sent to:

Denver Health Medical Center
777 Bannock Street
Denver Colorado, USA, 80204

From BMX to 4X and back

Tara Llanes started as a BMXer in 1988. She moved to mountain biking four years later and has established herself as one of the top female racers in the Four Cross/Dual Slalom disciplines. Her career highlights include two US NORBA dual slalom championships, one NORBA downhill championship, and numerous medals at the world championships. She had returned to BMX racing this year in order to try to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.