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U.S. Ski Team Alumna Twardokens Injured in Plane Crash

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
February, 15 2019
Eva Twardokens Injured in Plane Crash
Two-time Olympian and 1984 World Championship giant slalom bronze medalist, Eva Twardokens - pictured here in 1991 in Saalbach, Austria - was recently injured in a plane crash. (Bob Martin)

U.S. Ski & Snowboard wishes to extend our heartfelt wishes to U.S. Ski Team alumna Eva Twardokens for a speedy recovery from the injuries sustained in a plane crash in Watsonville, California on Saturday, Feb. 9. 

A two-time Olympian, and 1985 World Championship giant slalom bronze medalist, Twardokens is in the ICU and faces a long road to recovery, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help Eva with her recovery.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Eva. She was an extraordinary ski racer and we know her strength will help her through this,” said Tiger Shaw, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO.

Another U.S. Ski Team alumna, Edie Thys Morgan, shared the following notes about Twardokens:

"You probably know about her long World Cup skiing career, her World Champs bronze medal at age 19, her two Olympics, first seed in three events, three podium and 34 top 10 finishes.  

Her parents both came to the states from Poland. Her father George was an Olympic fencer who defected while competing in the states. Her mother, Halina, came over later and they settled in Reno, where George was a professor and PhD in Kinesiology.  Eva started as a freestyle skier and was quite successful as a junior. I first heard of her when she was featured in SKI magazine at age 9, for her freestyle skiing. She switched to alpine shortly thereafter, joined the Squaw Valley Ski Team, and the rest is history. Known by her teammates as 'The Bulldog' for her ferocity and tenacity, Eva finished second in her first Europa Cup, from a bib number in the 80s. 

Eva also became an expert windsurfer in the sport's early days, which drew her to Santa Cruz, where she settled. After ski racing, Eva became one of the pioneers of CrossFit and then the Paleo diet. She also got her pilots' license and a few years ago bought 'Buttercup' a two seat Citabria airplane, in which she stared doing aerobatic competitions."

Friends and family are asking for two strong families - the ski and CrossFit communities - to spread the word and rally around Twardokens in this challenging time.

Friend and fellow CrossFitter Annie Sakamoto set up the GoFundMe, and also posted this on Instagram:

We are asking for your support of a beloved member within our community—Eva Twardokens—who was badly injured in a plane crash last Saturday. Eva is one of the original “Nasty Girls” in CrossFit, and is also the namesake of the benchmark workout "Eva." Her injuries have placed her in the ICU, currently battling a long road to recovery.

Aside from her accomplishments in CrossFit, Eva is a two-time Olympic alpine skier and an avid surfer, someone who positively impacts the lives of everyone she meets.

This Saturday, Feb. 16, please sweat with us in support of her recovery by completing the workout "Eva" in her honor at your local affiliate. A GoFundMe account has also been created to help with her overwhelming medical and recovery expenses. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Sending love, strength and prayers to Eva.

Please use the hashtag #evaforeva

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