Shane McConkey, legendary extreme skier, dies in base-jumping accident
Legendary extreme skier and base jumper Shane McConkey died yesterday in an accident while filming a movie in Italy.
McConkey, 39, was performing a stunt in which he was to launch himself off of a cliff, then detach his skis and deploy a parachute.
Witnesses said McConkey was not able to get one of his skis off, which sent him spinning out of control and prevented him from deploying the chute. McConkey died on impact.
"He did a double backflip off the jump and he has these releasable bindings. But one ski did not come off. When that happens the drag on the skis causes you to flip over so the skis go over your head. He got into a bad spin and may have never even pulled his pilot chute," filmmaker and McConkey family friend Scott Gaffney told ESPN Action Sports during a telephone interview.
The Lake Tahoe-area resident is survived by his wife, Sherry, and their 3-year-old daughter.
--Kelly Burgess
Photos courtesy of Red Bull
RIP Shane - an icon, a legend and larger than life. You were a true innovator in your sports.
Posted by: BC | March 27, 2009 at 04:27 PM
I admire people who have the unmitigated courage to push the envelop and try such daring feats. But it is so tragic when they don't succeed. He lived and died doing what he was passionate about. We should all have the courage to do that.
Posted by: Colorado Squid | March 27, 2009 at 04:13 PM
He was born and raised in Vancouver ,BC, Canada and one hell of skier. To Yewbee, Jesus had , has will have nothing do with the incident, don't convolute and and miss the point. Jesus is good for you? Great!!!
Posted by: Clint Ruin - Banff, Alberta, Canada | March 27, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Sorry he's gone - you never know when it's going to be your time.
Trust in Jesus Christ now so that when it happens, you won't be wishing that you had
Posted by: Yewbee | March 27, 2009 at 03:14 PM
RIP Homey
Posted by: rob | March 27, 2009 at 03:05 PM