Cassie Sharpe injured in halfpipe qualifying at Milano Cortina 2026 — status unclear for final
Canada’s superstar freeskier Cassie Sharpe crashed hard during women’s halfpipe qualifying at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and was taken off the course unconscious. The 33-year-old, a two-time Olympic medallist, had already posted a score from her first run that would have put her through to the final — but the late second-run accident left her competition status in doubt.
What happened
– On her second run, Sharpe misaligned a landing and slammed into the halfpipe. Witnesses said she tumbled down the wall and remained motionless at the centre.
– Event medics were on her immediately. They stabilized her with a neck brace, immobilized her, put her on a sled and moved her to a waiting ambulance before transferring her to a medical facility for evaluation.
– Organisers paused qualifying briefly for safety checks and to allow treatment. Video from the venue showed the crowd go quiet as responders worked.
Medical update and team response
– The Canadian Olympic Committee and Freestyle Canada said Sharpe was discharged from hospital and returned to the Athlete Village, but team doctors have not cleared her to compete in Saturday’s final.
– Loss of consciousness triggers mandatory, conservative protocols in high-impact sports; team medics are awaiting fuller assessments from independent specialists before any return-to-play decision.
– The delegation has emphasised coordinated care — event physicians, national team doctors and outside specialists — and confirmed psychological support is available for athletes and staff.
What this means for Team Canada
– With Sharpe sidelined for now, Canada’s halfpipe final will include Amy Fraser (Calgary) and Rachael Karker (Erin, Ont.), who qualified seventh and ninth.
– Sharpe’s absence reshuffles medal math and changes the emotional tone for teammates and fans, but medical safety is taking priority over podium ambition.
– Officials and national bodies will review on-site procedures and equipment checks; any recommended course adjustments or changes to safety protocols are expected once specialist evaluations finish.
Reactions and context
– Spectators and fellow athletes breathed a collective sigh when Sharpe showed signs of responsiveness while being stretchered away — a small relief after a scary scene.
– Athlete-safety advocates and medical directors support the conservative approach to cases involving unconsciousness, citing concussion and neck-injury risks.
– The crash has renewed talk about course conditions and protective measures in freestyle skiing, where high-difficulty tricks leave almost no margin for error.
What’s next
– Final clearance is up to team doctors and the Canadian Olympic Committee, who’ve said long-term health comes first.
– Canada will continue with Fraser and Karker in the final while updates on Sharpe’s condition and any official findings are awaited.
We’ll update this story as more information and medical assessments become available.