The ski world lost an ambassador of the sport on Thursday with the passing of freeskier Sarah Burke. The four-time X Games gold medalist died of complications from a head injury she sustained during a training run on January 10 at Park City Mountain Resort. She was 29 years old.
Burke suffered a ruptured vertebral artery in her brain after hitting her head in a fall. She was rushed to University of Utah hospital, where she remained in a coma until her passing at 9:22 a.m. on Thursday.
Her family will adhere to Burke’s wishes and donate her organs and tissue, according to Deseret News in Utah.
“What defines Sarah now is what has always defined her,” Canadian Freestyle Ski Association CEO Peter Judge told the Deseret News. “She was always very gregarious, very outgoing and popular with those around her. She is very giving in terms of her time, especially in the sport.”
Burke, the daughter of ski racers, was a pioneer in women’s freeskiing. She competed against men early in her career when there were no women’s events. Burke longed for equality in her beloved sport, sending emails to ESPN and X Games to get women included in their lineup. She was successful and dominated the halfpipe event, winning six gold medals.
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