Only one obstacle was in Joey Spencer’s head as he got ready to set a Guinness world record. Bumping his noggin.
Spencer, a Penticton resident and former Apex Freestyle Club member, suffered three concussions during his career. One, of which he said was “pretty serious.”
Doctors warned Spencer about contact. With that instilled in his mind, Spencer said it was like the law of attraction that it will happen.
“Now when I went up to do it this time, I had a really positive mindset,” said Spencer, who has developed an interest in producing films and as a mixed musical artist.
May 13, 2012 was the day he felt that. He executed a 26.95-metre, 720-degree flatspin ski jump at Whistler Blackcomb that has tentatively given Spencer a Guinness world record. He just has to wait for the paperwork to go through. Spencer previously attempted the feat on April 15, but video showed that his hand touched during the landing. Prior to doing the jump, Spencer practised it because he needed to slowly get back into it after his time off. He broke his skis half way through the first day so he didn’t get a full day of practice.
On day two, he had five jumps. Those things factored him into touching the ground with his hand. He didn’t ski between that trip and the next. This time there was no mistake. He exceeded the existing 18-metre world record by 8.95 metres on the mountain’s highest level XL terrain park and included an added interlocking and de-interlocking of skis that was not required.
Spencer, a Penticton Secondary School grad, describes the move as “kind of my signature trick.
“It’s always been a thought in my mind to go for a Guinness World Record,” said Spencer.
The pursuit was on hold as because of the concussions. He took a year-and-a-half off and sent an application to Guinness World Records and they approved it.
Spencer had Mike Shaw, head halfpipe coach of the B.C. Freestlye team, attest to his completion of all technical elements as will Brian Rode, a professional surveyor working on contract with Bunbury & Associates in Whistler. Blackcomb Whistler also supported him. A formal claim for the record was filed with Guinness World Records in London, England.
