Nick Zoricic, the Canadian skier who was competing in his 36th event, died from head injuries after crashing during a World Cup event on Saturday in Switzerland, according to multiple reports.
The International Ski Federation released a statement saying the 29-year-old skier died as a result of “severe neurotrauma,” the Associated Press reported.
“Nick Zoricic fell heavily just before the finish in the round of eight, crashing directly into the safety netting and thereafter lying motionless,” the federation said. “The medical care from team doctors and Air Glacier followed immediately.”
Organizers decided to cancel the entire event, including the World Cup Final on March 11.
The Canadian team also released a statement saying, “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Nik’s parents and his family.”
“Nick was a very talented young ski racer and a great athlete who was much loved by his teammates and fellow competitors. He will be greatly missed by all of us and the ski community as a whole,” ACA President Max Gartner said.
Zoricic, originally an Alpine skier who switched to ski cross, was competing in his 36th event, and has been racing in the World Cup circuit for more than three years.
This is the second time tragedy has struck the Canadian ski family this season.
In January, freestyle skier Sarah Burke died nine days after she was seriously injured in a training accident in Utah.
She tore her vertebral artery after crashing at the bottom of the superpipe, which led to severe bleeding on the brain that caused cardiac arrest.
