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Former Olympic freeski halfpipe champion Sharpe stable after heavy crash / Photo: © AFP
Former Olympic freeski halfpipe champion Sharpe stable after heavy crash
Former Olympic champion Cassie Sharpe is in a stable condition after being stretchered off during the women's halfpipe qualifiers at the Milan-Cortina Games on Thursday following a heavy fall.
The 33-year-old Canadian tumbled during her second run, losing her skis and poles and lying motionless on the snow.
Medical staff on skis came to her aid and the crowd fell silent at Livigno Snow Park.
Sharpe was given medical help for about 10 minutes before she was dragged off the course on a sled.
Wearing a neck brace, she briefly lifted her head and waved to the crowd.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) later issued a statement on Sharpe's condition.
"Freestyle skier Cassie Sharpe was injured on course during the women's freestyle ski halfpipe qualification round," it said. "She is in a stable condition and is being evaluated by COC and Freestyle Canada medical staff."
Sharpe, the champion from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, finished third in the list of 12 qualifiers for Saturday's final with a score of 88.25 despite completing just one of her two runs.
But it appears unlikely she will be able to compete.
After winning her second Olympic medal, a silver at the 2022 Beijing Games, Sharpe took a two-year break from competing, during which she gave birth to her daughter, Louella.
She returned to halfpipe competition in September 2024 and earned the first World Cup podium after her comeback three months later.
Sharpe followed up in January last year by winning the X Games for the third time in her career and went on to claim bronze at the 2025 world championships.
V.Bae--SG
