Sarah Burke inspires freeskiing Olympians
By Elliott Almond, San Jose Mercury News
KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia — It was difficult not to cringe as Canadian freeskier Yuki Tsubota bounced off the icy slopes Tuesday at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.
It was difficult not to think of Sarah Burke, a Canadian pioneer whose campaign propelled the women’s freeski movement.
“We wouldn’t be here if not for her,” said Canada’s Dara Howell, who won the women’s slopestyle gold medal Tuesday with a flying first run no one could touch.
Tsubota escaped serious injury but in a high-risk sport the question always lingers after a horrific crash.
It lingers because Burke’s fatal day two years ago makes it impossible not to.
The four-time X Games champion died nine days after a training crash in Park City, a potent reminder of the dangers of flinging off jumps while attached to skis and snowboards.