Top US and Canadian riders out of the Olympic running

With just weeks to go to the Vancouver Olympics, the world's snowboarding nations are prepping the line ups of their Olympic teams - and there'll be a couple of notable absences.

American rider Danny Davis suffered a spinal accident at the weekend in a quad biking accident and will not be able to take part in the Games. Doctors say he'll make a full recovery. Davis was looking promising for the halfpipe contest - ousting reigning champion Shaun White at an event earlier this month with three double corks.

As previously reported, Kevin Pearce will also not be joining the US squad after suffering a serious head injury at the end of last year. He's continuing to make slow but steady progress in hospital in Utah.

Canada's team is will also be without one of its most lauded riders - Crispin Lipscomb failed to qualify with the required top-five results in his qualifying events.

He has had a nagging right ankle injury and also cites the death of his best friend as playing a crucial factor in a change of focus and perspective in his life recently. He'll be assisting at the Games though by coaching the women's halfpipe team.