The Freestyle Skiing world mourns the death of one of its brightest stars. Canadian Freestyle skier Sarah Burke succumbed to injuries 19th January 2012 suffered while training in Park City, Utah, nine days earlier. She was 29 years old.
“I would like to offer the sincerest condolences from FIS to the husband, family, and friends of Sarah Burke. She was a great athlete and a pioneer for ladies' Freestyle Skiing who played a key role in demonstrating the potential of halfpipe skiing. She will be sorely missed by the world of skiing," said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper
“Sarah's death is a tragic loss for the world of skiing in general and is felt so strongly within the Freestyle skiing community. She was a leader in the new generation of Freestyle skiers embodying the pioneering spirit that has led the events in Freestyle forward since the sport's inception. She will be fondly remembered on so many levels - as a champion athlete, a promoter of the sport that helped pave the way for Freestyle Halfpipe and Slopestyle to be included in the Olympic Games and for inspiring young people, particularly young women, pursuing their dreams in Freestyle. On behalf of the FIS Freestyle Committee I want to express our heartfelt thoughts and sincere condolences to Sarah's family and friends,” added Chris Robinson, Chairman of FIS Freestyle Committee.
FIS world champion in halfpipe and a winner of four X Games gold medals, Sarah will be remembered not only for her on-hill prowess, but equally as much for her exceptional personality, her unyielding determination in her efforts to progress women's freestyle skiing, and the joy and positivity she brought with her to all aspects of life.
While the list of her lifetime achievements is long, what may be Sarah's greatest personal triumph came in the form of the inclusion of women's ski halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, for which she lobbied extensively.
Sarah was at the forefront of the efforts to put her sport on the world's stage, and though she won't get the chance to be on that stage, the scope of her influence on Freestyle Skiing on and off the hill will only grow over time. Sarah Burke has paved the way for her sport and the athletes who will follow in her footsteps, and she will not be forgotten.
