John Nicoletta: The industry parts with a great
April 11th, 2008RIP amigo. Thinking of you, friends and family.
According to MSI:
“For Immediate Release
Alyeska, Alaska, April 11, 2008—At approximately 3:45pm this afternoon, 27-year-old John Nicoletta of Aspen, Colorado, died due to injuries sustained during a fall while competing on the first day of the Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska Resort, Alaska. Nicoletta was the 47th competitor of the day down the Headwall below Alyeska Peak.
Alyeska Professional Ski Patrol reached Nicoletta within seconds of the accident and evaluated his injuries. After stabilization, he was transported via toboggan and helicopter to the Alyeska Aid Room where he was unable to be revived despite efforts by local physicians, paramedics, Girdwood EMS and the Alyeska Professional Ski Patrol. Time of death was reported at 4:45pm.
Contrary to initial press stories, Nicoletta had a loss of control after a 20-foot cliff drop and was propelled into an exposed rocky area.
A veteran freeskiing competitor, Nicoletta was an accomplished, well-known, and extremely respected athlete. An experienced skier, he has appeared in ski movies, been a featured athlete in television interviews and recently finished second at the Telluride Freeskiing Open in February 2008. Mountain Sports International extends our deepest sympathies to John Nicoletta’s family, girlfriend, and friends. This is a deep blow to the freeskiing community.
After discussion with the competitors this evening, the decision was made to continue with the event tomorrow. Athletes will make the hike to the top of the peak together in a celebration of John’s incredible life and love of big mountain freeskiing.”
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Our friend Derek Taylor, editor and chief of Powder, adds additional insight from a spectator’s view:
http://www.powder.com
“Conversation came to a stop. A lull fell over the hundreds of skiers watching the World Freeskiing Championships at Alyeska the second John Nicoletta hit the rock. He then tumbled three or four times in the air before hitting the snow and sliding, his body limp, for several hundred feet.
The worst fears were realized at an athlete meeting held at the Sitzmark at 7:00 pm Alaska Standard Time. John Nicoletta, a professional skier out of Aspen, Colorado, is dead at 27.”
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John was a great friend, a simply amazing skier with tons of energy. My only regret is that I didn’t start working with him years ago.
Check back, and check http://www.shinelineproductions.com/ for a video in John’s memory.
-ct
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April 11th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I was at the event today watching, It was so scarey. Patrol got him to the flats jumped on and started pumping his heart, then took off not waiting for heli evac. Patrol made a heroic effort to get John of reallys steep terain. My thoughts and prayers are with John’s family and friends.