American 4X racer Tara Llanes has sustained serious injuries to her lower back, and is now paralysed from the waist down, following a crash in the Jeep King of the Mountains race in Vail, Colorado. Llanes was flown to nearby Denver Health Hospital and underwent seven hours of surgery to stabilise her condition, and has undergone further surgery in recent days.

The Llanes family report that she is recuperating well and her condition is currently stable. “Her spirits are still so high and her determination is remarkable. She already asked every doctor when she can begin rehab,” her website reports.

A Road To Recovery Fund is being set up by Llanes family. Take a look at www.myspace.com/mtbtara, which is being updated with her progress regularly.