Award In The Halfpipe Skier’s Memory

One year ago today Canada and the global freestyle skiing community lost an icon when halfpipe skier Sarah Burke died following a training accident in Utah.

Burke, a multiple X Games and FIS World Cup winner, was a pioneer in her sport and was recently named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Action Sports by ESPN.

As a trailblazer, Burke is widely credited with promoting women’s standing and participation in sport, and with helping to bring Halfpipe skiing to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The Midland, Ontario native who later moved to B.C. was a true champion in every sense of the word. She was a fierce competitor, dedicating thousands of hours to her sport; and, off the field of play she was universally known for her kindness, generosity and fun-loving spirit.

Although she never got the opportunity to pursue her Olympic dream, earlier this year Burke was recognized by the Canadian Olympic Committee with an induction into its Hall of Fame as a ‘Builder’.

Canadian Freestyle Ski Association CEO Peter Judge said, “Sarah exemplified all the best qualities of a leader, an athlete and a human being. She is dearly missed by the entire sport community and we again extend our condolences to her family and friends who have shown over the past year that they will never let her flame go out.”

Last year WINSport Canada introduced the Sarah Burke Performance Award to honor Burke’s contributions to winter sport. Any Canadian athlete who has a podium at a World Cup event at Canada Olympic Park earns a $5,000 award in Burke’s memory.

Winsport has extended the award through the 2013 season; as such, Canadian mogul skiers competing at next Saturday’s 2013 Freestyle Ski Moguls Grand Prix Presented by Volvo will be eligible to earn it in Burke’s memory.

“This is a very fitting way to memorialize, recognize and perpetuate the contributions that Sarah made to sport in this country,” said Judge.
Last year four Canadian freestyle skiers earned Sarah Burke Performance Awards at the World Cup in Calgary.

The 2013 Freestyle Ski Moguls Grand Prix Presented by Volvo at WINsport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary takes place next Saturday, January 26.

The event is free to the public.