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.