There's a new tough guy in town and guess what?  It's not a guy at all.   So all you barefooters, jumpers and big tough bases, its time to honor the new king (I mean queen).  Jamie Pannier has bruised, battered, and broken her way right to the winner's circle of the tough guy competition. 

It was a rainy early season practice. To most of the team, the desire and drive to perform well so early in the season and under such raw conditions was almost impossible to muster. But to Pannier, it came as naturally as her next breath of air.  Due to a disappointing injury early in her rookie season, she was forced to choke down the bitter sweetness of her unavailable potential while sitting out the entire summer of '05 with what most skiers would consider a career ending injury.  But Jamie was not "most skiers".  Jamie, along with siblings Kelsey and Emily were heavily recruited to the Holland Aqua Riders in the fall of '04 by expert talent scout and accomplished skier Gary Naples.  The trio was slated to be the future of climbing and doubles for the growing team.  Jamie, however, being the perfect size and natural ability to fill all roles, was where the expert (Naples) had wagered would make the largest impact. Naples was quoted to say, "That middle Pannier, I tell you I really think she's got what it takes, but after this injury, we'll have to see how bad she wants it."   And want it she did.  She underwent a backbreaking off season training program to position herself back in the running for the skiing accolades she so richly deserved.     

            During off season and pre-season practices, under the watchful eye of training experts (Naples), Pannier progressed quickly through basic climbing and doubles exercises onto more advanced skills.   She eventually became a frontrunner once again among her piers for such coveted starting positions in Holland's high profile and history rich tradition of strap doubles and pyramid teams.  And as the summer of '06 grew close, last summer's devastating injury, season off, and year gone, had done little to diminish her spirit, desire, and potential seen in '04 by Naples.  Humbly she professed, "I'm just lucky to have been noticed by the best (Naples), who is arguably the greatest trainer and judge of talent in the country".  Naples replied only, "I'm lucky to have my name attached to this amazing rising star.  Sure I found her, trained her, rehab'd her and brought her back to the top of her game, but you really have to give her a little of the credit.

            With the grueling off season behind her, Pannier stepped confidently onto the cold, rainy beach to take her first team water practice and officially claim her spot among the best.   Girls 2, even 3 years her senior looked on with awe as she calmly read the act list assignment board.  She was bestowed the honor and distinction of being one of the third tiers in the final act, double 3 tier pyramids.  A look of concentration fell over her as she mentally prepared for her assignment, unaffected by the confusion of dock coordinating apparent apprehension of other skiers for the task at hand.  As the boat slowly increased its idle speed away from the dock with rope coils unwinding at an ever increasing rate, Pannier sat poised and able for success.  Destiny however would have a much different fate for the young athlete.

The warning signs of the endeavor's doom were quickly apparent as a one of the team's most talented skiers inexplicably developed a knot and forced to abandon his rope (skiers name unavailable).  A gasping sigh echoed from onlookers.  Pannier, however was unshaken.  Her role had now become that much more crucial.  She would be the sole third tier in this pyramid, a double edged sword of both extreme responsibility and massive pressure to succeed.  A role she accepted with confidence

 As the boat turned the corner and returned to the show course, the call to climb was bellowed.  Pannier fearlessly made her ascent, one perfectly place foot and hand at a time.  As she successfully rose atop her teammates with a smile and an arm raised in glory, she quickly realized the trouble below her.  High atop a pyramid racing across the water, in view of the beach, Pannier's steady footholds below her began to waver.  And almost instantaneously, what was once a human column of strength and stability, collapsed into a blur of  water, skis and bodies.  A deafening silence was hung over the crowd of onlookers.  The show site was littered with wreckage and Pannier was somewhere among the carnage.

Unaware of her own severe injuries, Pannier waved and then swam to teammates injured and in shock.  When safety crews arrived she was found holding her fallen teammates above water.  Naples was manning the first safety boat to arrive to the scene.  "When I arrived I could tell she (Pannier) had a large laceration somewhere on her head.  But because of the amount of blood there was no tell where or how large the laceration was, even for and experienced first aid provider such as myself."  (Naples was unavailable for comment as to why he was in the safety boat and not skiing in the act)  Pannier unselfishly refused care until all of her fallen teammates had been provided for.  Through her self-sacrificing actions, Naples was able to provide aid to such life threatening injuries as hangnails, wedgies, and one unconfirmed report of a lost contact lens

            Once all other injuries had been cared for, Pannier allowed herself to receive first aid.  She did however refuse life star transport to the hospital once found out the helicopter would not be able to stop for an ice cream.  She was rushed by vehicle to "Scare-ington" Memorial Hospital and as she was wisped into the trauma room she ordered, "NO MORPHINE! Save it for someone who really needs it!  Besides, I hear that stuff will freeze my brain!

            Pannier reluctantly received 5 stitches, although she requested duct tape. She was also reluctant to let doctors apply a cast to support a buckle injury in her left forearm bone.  (A buckle injury is the phenomenon of a kink-like dent in the bone, rather than a fracture.)  Pannier stated, "I'd broken that arm before and refused to break it again.  I just told my arm, you'd better hold up or I'll make last year's rehab look like a Swedish massage."  Pannier released herself later that evening against doctor's medical advice.  Multiple x-ray readings were made in disbelief. Is this "suppergirl" actually able to avoid bodily harm through pure will?  Mere men will never know.

            As Pannier exited the hospital, she was met my family, friends, reporters and paparazzi.  She was released the following statement as she exited. "Thank you all for you support but please refrain from sending flowers and get well wishes.  I just need to put this behind me.  My only priority now is "literally" climbing my way back to the top of the Holland Ski Team.  Besides, were skiers like Gary (Naples) and Jill (?) babied after there life threatening/career ending hospital stays, I don't think so.  This is the caliber of skier I'm attempting to live up to.  Anyone want a piggyback ride to the car, I'll race ya!"

            Eat your heart out Holland tough guys!

(Published by Holland Ski Ghost Publications)