Skiing lost one of the all-time greats when CR Johnson passed away while riding at his home resort on February 24, 2010. Although he was somewhat out of the spotlight in recent years, we’d like to remind everyone of just how talented, influential and important CR was to our sport. Here’s our top-5, and we’d like to hear about your favorite CR Johnson moments. He will be missed.
1. The 1440
Way back in 1998 an unknown named CR Johnson changed the freeskiing game by stomping the first ever 1440 on film. He was 15 years old. To put the sickness of that 14 in context, consider that a 1440 variation won Big Air gold at the 2010 winter X Games. Twelve years is an eternity in the world of freeskiing, and to this day only a handful of the world’s best park riders are throwing 14’s.
2. Bio 9 at Superpark
At Super Park 3 in 2001, CR stole the show and tossed a styled-out, 110-foot Bio 900. The massive spin earned him Super Park’s Trick of the Year and set the stage for his impending domination. Then following season CR took home X Games gold and silver in Big Air and Slopestyle, respectively, made the podium at the US Open Slopestyle, and was named 2002’s Male Skier of the Year by ESPN.
3. Pipe Duel with Candide at Winter X Games 7
CR must have been bored with winning park competitions, because he lit up the pipe in a big way in 2003. At that year’s Winter X Games, his legendary battle with Candide Thovex officially put half-pipe skiing on the map and was a huge step in the sport’s progression. Snowboarders quit talking shit on the legitimacy of pipe skiing after seeing CR and Candide uncorking huge, inverted spins. CR held nothing back and wrecked when he decked out on a massive hit, but his performance gave us all a glimpse into the future of pipe skiing.
4. Tricking Cliffs in The Front Line
These days the phrase “Bring my tricks to the backcountry” has become so cliché it’s a joke. But back in 2003 CR had his sights set on skiing big mountain lines like his own personal terrain parks. Inspired by the like of Seth Morrison, CR spun 3’s off truly natural cliff and spine features in the opening segment of Matchstick Productions’ Ski Movie 3 – The Front Line (and various other segments over the next two years). No cheese-wedge kickers or stepped-out take offs here. Even Kent Krietler called CR out, on film, as the unique park skier who could actually rip big lines—rare praise from a guy not always known for kind words. To this day, few skiers have successfully blended these two types of riding.
5. 3rd Place at Redbull Linecatcher
Following his 2005 traumatic brain injury (sustained while filming) that left him hospitalized for 34 days, CR focused on the long, hard road to recovery. At first, the process was literally one step at a time. He continued to film segments, and unable to risk further head trauma, he initially wore a full-face helmet and skied more conservatively. Determined to recover to his pre-injury form, CR quietly re-learned to be one of the world’s best skiers. CR’s official welcome-back party came at RedBull’s Linecatcher event, a backcountry freestyle contest where riders skied a big mountain venue peppered with cliff hits and jumps, top to bottom. CR again battled Candide Thovex and took third, beating out the likes of Sage Cattabriga-Alosa. In a sport where a season off can end a career, his comeback shocked many. Those who knew him expected nothing less.
RIP CR, skiing misses you already.
Much love and respect,
Charles Russell Johnson III October 8, 1983 – February 24, 2010
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Tags: freestyle skiing, pro athletes, skiing
