Freestyle skier Sarah Burke died Thursday, a week after suffering a serious head injury while training in Utah.
"Sarah was someone who lived life to the fullest," said Peter Judge, CEO of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association. "She was an example in her community and to young people. She'll be gravely missed."
Burke had been in training at the Eagle Superpipe at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah when she fell on Jan. 10 and suffered a ruptured vertebral artery that caused a severe hemorrhage in her brain and put her into cardiac arrest.
She was taken to the University of Utah Hospital and placed on life support. She underwent surgery to repair the artery and was placed into a state of therapeutic hypothermia to protect her brain. But she failed to recover.
Tests determined she had suffered irreversible brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain during her heart attack. She remained in a coma until her death.
She died surrounded by family and friends at the hospital at about 9:22 a.m. Her organs have been donated to save the lives of others.
"I'm stunned from the standpoint that it's a reality," said Judge. "Certainly we've known from the start that it was a significant possibility but any time that it comes to fruition, obviously you're not prepared for something like that, especially with someone like Sarah.
"My heart just goes out to Rory, her husband who is deeply involved in what she does. It's brutal.
"It's difficult for us to imagine the pain and what they're going through."
Burke's family said in a release from the ski association that they wish "to express their deep gratitude to Sarah's dear friends for their love and support, and for travelling to Salt Lake City to comfort the family." And they added that they were "moved by the sincere and heartfelt sympathy expressed by people inspired by Sarah from all around the world."
The family also thanked the hospital and in particular the Neuro Critical Care Unit for their help.
Burke, who was born in Midland, Ont., but lived in Squamish, B.C., was a pioneer in the sport of freestyle skiing. A four-time X Games winner in women's halfpipe, Burke posted five wins on the World Cup circuit and won the 2005 world championship at Ruka, Finland.
She lobbied tirelessly for her sport and is credited with having the event added to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
This is just so so sad :( She was such a great athlete and its horrible to hear how she died. RIP.
ETA: A picture of the Eagle Superpipe, the site of her accident.
Marcus Collins has announced on Twitter that his debut album will be released on March 12, 2012. This is the European release date for the album, whose title is to be announced. It is unknown if the album will be released outside of Europe. Collins came in second place on "The X Factor" U.K. in 2011. Although it has not been officially announced yet, he has signed a deal with Sony Music.
The announcement about Collins' album is unusual because it comes before any announcement has been made about the debut album for female quartet Little Mix, "The X Factor" U.K. winner of 2011. As an "X Factor" winner, Little Mix automatically signed to Syco Music, the record company co-owned by "The X Factor" executive producer Simon Cowell and Sony Music.
His debut single is a cover and it's making some people excited, but most people mad. Marcus Collins is channeling his inner rock star for his first official single release in 2012.The diminutive Scouser is set to annoy a legion of indie music fans by covering the classic Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. Many of the 23-year-old's young fans are unlikely to have even heard the original version of the song because it was released almost a decade ago.
So glad & happy for him because he's been working hard, but I can imagine the retaliation by the White Stripes fans.
In other news he met living legend, Gandalf.
This is my third trying to post this, hope fully it gets through if not i give up. I'm not meant to be a poster. tyfyt
Giddy up!
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's son Mason Disick turned 2 on December 14, and for his big day, his city-slickin' family took things to the Wild Wild West.
Proud grandparents Kris and Bruce Jenner pulled out all the stops for their grandson's fete and hosted a cowboy-themed birthday party at their Hidden Hills, Calif. home complete with a petting zoo, pony rides and an arts and crafts table.
Mom Kourtney, 32, who's pregnant with her and boyfriend Scott's second child, helped her first-born son blow out the two candles on his 10 gallon hat birthday cake.
Also in attendance: Mason's aunts Kendall, 16, and Kylie Jenner, 14, and uncle Rob Kardashian, 24.
The CW has order a trio of pilots that include "Arrow," "The Carrie Diaries" and "Beauty and The Beast."
