Editor's blog: Hollow
Thursday, 05 March 2009 23:30
The first was in 2004 when Jono Porter was tragically taken from us in a first-turn motocross accident at Coolum. The news was incomprehensible, and during the first couple of days the rumours flew thick and fast within the industry as to whether he had passed away or not. I remember in one emotionally-charged afternoon in the office where I heard he was alive, then dead, then alive again. When the official news finally broke that JP had died, it felt like someone had smashed me with a sledgehammer in the solar plexus. None of us in the office could work, and when we did we were constantly distracted and heavy-hearted. Even now, nearly five years on, Porter’s presence and influence in the Australian FMX scene is sorely missed. The second time I felt the way I do right now was in 2007 when I first heard the news that promising young racer Bronte Holland suffered a huge practice crash and his lifelong ambition and dreams to become a full-time professional racer were tragically cut short. Initially we didn’t know if he was going to pull through or not and I spent days trawling the internet for news and waiting for text updates from his South Side Melbourne crew. Thankfully Bronte still remains with us, and even though he’s now wheelchair-bound as a quadraplegic, he continues to make steady progress.
Then that sickening, heavy feeling came crashing back on Sunday afternoon when I first heard of Jeremy Lusk’s horrific crash at X-Knights in Costa Rica. I could only watch the video clip of the crash once, then immediately wished I hadn’t. To see one of the world’s most talented, toughest riders who has a reputation of bouncing back to his feet lying prone on the ground surrounded by urgently motioning medics suddenly slammed home the realisation that freestyle is an extremely dangerous sport where if things go wrong, the consequences can be fatal.
I guess we accept these risks every time we pull on a helmet and throw a leg over the saddle of a dirt bike, but I want you to honestly ask yourself – have you ever thought it could happen to you? Sure, I accept there could be the odd broken bone if things go pear-shaped, but death?? If you’re anything like me, you’d prefer not to think about it.
Then last night the news came through that Lusk hadn’t made it. I’m sitting here shell-shocked and numbed. I’d be lying if I said I knew Jeremy well, but on the several dealings I had with him he impressed me with his professionalism, his humble, easy-going attitude, and his drive to be the best he possibly could.
From a photographic point of view, Lusk’s riding style was nothing short of epic. He committed himself 100 per cent to his tricks, he had the best Flip Grab tricks in the world, and his Whips were unrivalled. Whenever I cruised through pages of photos looking for images for the mag I’d always find myself spending extra time on Lusk’s, and wondering how the hell he could ride so well.
But now the freestyle industry faces the heavy, burdensome task of saying farewell to one of the sport’s biggest icons – a likeable 24-year-old who has been tragically cut down in his prime and had the world at his fingertips. But one thing is for sure – we may have to say goodbye, but we will never forget Jeremy Lusk, his boyish grin, and his tenacity on the bike.
Rest in peace, mate. You’ll be sadly missed.
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