Levi LaVallee dropped out of the snowmobile freestyle competition for Winter X Games 2014.
LaVallee was to compete in a total of 4 snowmobile disciplines at last years Winter X Games, but had to pull-out after earning his second gold, due to a torn lat muscle. After undergoing surgery in February 2013, LaVallee was cleared by his medial doctor in late November to begin freestyle, but if there were any indication of bother to his lat muscle, he was to seek medical attention and discontinue freestyle activity.
With continued physical therapy to help strengthen his lat muscle and with many attempts to practice his gold medal freestyle routine, LaVallee has decided to pull out of the Freestyle event for Winter X Games 2014.
“I am super bummed to have to announce that I am pulling out of Freestyle. Winter X Games is the biggest stage for us snowmobilers, and it wasn’t an easy decision to make but I feel it’s the smart choice. After practicing any trick where my arm is extended over my head, it pulls hard on my lat muscle and it was starting to feel like last year - when I was tearing it more and more,” LaVallee said in a statement.
Freestyle rider Jack Rowe will represent Team LaVallee in the freestyle competition
“Jack has been at my compound for the past month training. He is looking awesome and can’t wait to see how he does. He will be tough to beat,” LaVallee said in a statement.
LaVallee, along with fellow teammates Kyle Pallin, Jake Scott and Andy Lieders will all be competing in Snowmobile Snocross and LaVallee will seek to defend his 2010 Winter X Games gold, in snowmobile Long Jump.
The Winter X Games are held at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, January 23-26th and will be broadcasted live on ESPN and ABC. Stay connected with Team LaVallee social media and XGames.com for the most up-to-date news and coverage on Winter X Games 2014.