http://www.skinnyski.com/racing/display.asp?Id=25825

What a trip!

My Birkie story…

http://gearwestxcskiing.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-birkie-story-by-matthew-liebsch.html?m=1

My fasterskier.com story…

http://fasterskier.com/2012/03/fischer-skis-announces-its-select-athlete-of-the-month-for-february/

Also, in SwissLand for the big Engadin ski race!

 The town of Samedan and were I am staying for the week.

 Lars on the way up!

 2000m and one of the highest points in the valley that you can ski to on nordic gear.

As many of you know Marybeth was in a car accident last week. It did not seem to be that significant of an accident at the time. However, looking back Marybeth did have symptoms of a concussion right away.

She went into the doctor Friday and was told she would feel better within 2 weeks and it was whiplash.

However, Marybeth’s symptoms started becoming weird. She was sleeping at least 16 hours a day. Her headaches were becoming unbearable and she was struggling with simple daily tasks and anything that required thinking. She also could not recall parts of the accident.

Yesterday, we were blessed by seeing an amazing neurologist and Marybeth underwent 2 hours of MRI’s and a neurological exam (She struggled to get through the exam). We found out Marybeth suffered a concussion. There was separation at the back of her neck. She also had brain swelling (this explain why symptoms were getting worse as time progressed). On a positive note: one of the medications helped with brain swelling and relived “some” of her headache right away!

She is now on 7 medications and needs to “rest” her brain. No reading, minimal TV that requires no “thinking.” We basically need her to sleep as much as possible and not “think.” We meet with the neurologist again on Friday where we will set up a plan for recovery.

As you can imagine this is a difficult time; Marybeth is the glue that holds our family together. She is also missing Grant and Samantha!

We are so thankful for both sets of our parents and their help with the kids. Also, Marybeth’s sister came over and helped with dishes, laundry etc. We are also thankful that Marybeth should be able to make a full recovery! At this time we are thankful for all the prayers (Marybeth joked yesterday it was only by the grace of God she got through all those MRI’s and she felt everyone’s prayers), phone calls and support. I am trying to continue working and training. We ask for all your prayers and a quick recovery for Marybeth!

Thanks,

Matt

Report from Team Birkie Master, Greg Bernhardt.  Pic below

“Today I witnessed one of the most amazing individual
performances I have ever seen!

Unknown to me Matt crashed within 50m of the start landing
him at the bottom of a pile of 20 – 30 skiers. Matt broke
his pole and damaged a ski (lost his hat and Casco’s as
well). I was waiting on the first hill but didn’t see Matt
in the first 10 places, not in the first 20, the field was
almost by me and I turned to look uphill to see if I could
see him and I heard Matt call my name. By the time I saw him
he was passed me and Caitlin Gregg handed him a pole — but
the wrong one. At this point Matt was near the back of the
group, maybe 80th out of 97 starters!

I caught Matt at the next climb and gave him his left pole.
Matt had made progress and was trailing off the large group
of leaders. The pressure was on at the front, there was an
intermediate sprint on the 2nd lap. Matt was working his way
through the field. I saw him at 3 points each lap. Skiers
were starting to drift back, but Matt was making his way up
through the field, alway just off the back of the lead group
who were really pushing the pace.

After the sprint the pace seemed to slow, but Matt kept up
the hurt and not only latched onto the lead group but pushed
toward the front… with more and more leaders getting
shelled.

With a 1/2 lap to go Matt was 2 – 3 sec behind 1st place
with 3rd in the distance behind. At the top of the last hill
Matt took the lead!!! He entered the stadium first and in an
amazing finishing spring he was just pipped at the line –
finishing 2nd by less than 0.1 sec.

The effort and determination Matt displayed today was
incredible. After the race as I listened to him talking with
others it was clear why he nearly won. He never discussed
the possibility of loosing, only of how he could ski his own
race… with the possibility of a top finishing result.

Congratulations Matt!!! That was an amazing effort and
result.

Greg
”

 Photo via PT Timing