Natalia Niedźwiedź Out of Red Bull Joyride 2024 After Practice ...

Up-and-coming slopestyle rider Natalia Niedźwiedź was first alternate for Red Bull Joyride this year, and moved up to the big show when Robin Goomes had to sit out due to a concussion. Unfortunately the Polish rider took a heavy slam during practice on Wednesday. We've met up with her and she has a broken collar bone and a concussion—but virtually no symptoms by today.

Natalia gave us this video to share, but it's pretty distressing. Worth thinking twice before you watch.

She'd cased the hip a few times before, so she took too much speed into it, boosted, got blown sideways, and then took a big hit down the landing. Her helmet flew off on the first impact, and she took another impact rolling to the flat-bottom. She was down for a long time, but responsive and with feeling in her extremities by the time the medical team was driving her off the mountain.

Natalia is an incredible rider and we hope to see her back soon after a full recovery. And everyone tighten your helmets more securely!

The women's field has been practicing all week and it looks like everyone has gotten through most of the course nicely. The second alternate rider is Kathi Kuypers, who will now get a shot at the Joyride course and ticked off a bunch of features yesterday and today.

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