John Waddell
Nickname: Wardy, Shooter, Johnny Wad, Super Sexy #2.
Hometown: Perth, Western Australia
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Hair color: black
Marital Status: single
Children (age): zero
Birth date: September 20, 1980
Born Again (Awake from coma): July 21st, 2003
Birthplace: Perth
Favorite foods: Cereal, sushi
Favorite drinks: What ever
High School: J.C.
College: Nah.
Degree: 360'
Current Occupation: Downhill coach for Santa Cruz Syndicate
(Other than cyclist): Doing the re-hab work to recover from head trauma
When did you begin cycling and why?
My first race was in the beginning of 1993.
Why?
Because I liked riding my bike and I liked riding off road better than on the road.
Who influenced you and how?
Anyone who pushed the sport, and that are not afraid to try new things.
Have you suffered any serious injuries cycling?
Describe what and how:
I broke my C7 and T2 vertebrae and tore some stuff in my neck. I landed on my head in a handstand position without my hands. I was stuck in a halo (a frame bolted into my head), for 8 weeks.
On June 26, 2003 I crashed off a huge jump at Mt. Ste. Anne. I launched about 60 feet and dropped from 20 feet down, landing on my head. I suffered massive head trauma, tore ligaments, broke my wrist and suffered nerve damage to my hand and leg, and was in a coma. I was transported home to Perth while in a coma, and when I arrived I started to come out of the coma. That was the day I was born. When asked who I was I replied, "Jeff Ward" I have had to re-learn everything from day one!
Other sports competed in and when:
Aussie rules football. I did a triathlon once, and I just completed a jetty to jetty swim. Accomplishments in the above sports: I finished the triathlon, and the swim.
What are your strongest qualities as a racer?
DETERMINATION!
What are your current and future goals in racing?
Race when ready. Be up there in the race, maybe top 20's, and top 10's. Train hard and rip it up in 2005!
What are you doing to achieve these goals?
I am training hard. I have been going to the gym 3 days a week and working with a trainer. I have been jogging on the beach. I have a run I do that when I started it took me 9-10 minutes. I have now gotten my time down to 6:42. I do 30 minute ocean swims. I have been riding my bike, and recently rode home from the train station 27 kilometers. I have had to re-learn bike skills like bunny-hops and wheelies which were very difficult.
What are your current and future goals in life?
Have fun!
Describe your greatest cycling achievement to date:
5th at the World Championships in Kaprun, Austria. It was an awesome atmosphere and just a really good vibe all around. Also, learning to bunny-hop and wheelie all over again.
Describe your worst race or cycling experience:
In 1999 Glen Jacobs took me to the top of the 1996 world's course in Cairns. There had been a cyclone a few weeks before, so the rainforest was destroyed so you couldn't ride. I didn't know which way I was heading. Two and a half hours later it was dark and I made it out, ripped apart by thorn vines and bitten by I don't know what. I was pissed off! Of course, the crash at Mt. Ste. Anne was the worst experience, to date.
Describe your favorite race course:
I like it when courses have a lot of high speed corners. Actually, I like all courses.