The excitement of the inaugural women’s Olympic ski slopestyle final was brought to a devastating halt after Canadian rider Yuki Tsubota suffered a vicious crash in her second and last run on the Rosa Khutor course.
Running fifth after her first run, Tsubota was aiming to climb into medal position when she landed hard on her final jump, went briefly airborne, and came back down again before sliding to a stop.
Replays appeared to show that her head made contact with her knee on first impact, which also caused her to lose a ski and her goggles.
VIDEO: Watch the crash here
The latter piece of gear could be seen rolling down the slope as course workers quickly rushed to her aid. She was eventually carried off on a gurney.
Early media reports, including those from CBC reporter Carly Agro, Denver Post writer Jason Blevins, and National Post (Canada) writer Bruce Arthur, indicate that Tsubota suffered a jaw injury but will otherwise be okay.
Update on @yuki_tsubota no serious head injury-initial concern is a jaw injury she is with team physician now will do x-ray #CBCOlympics
— carly agro (@SNCarlyAgro) February 11, 2014
CAN coach says #slopestyle skier Yuki Tsubota has facial injuries, possible fractured jaw "she will be OK" whew! Really ugly crash
— Jason ☀️ Blevins (@jasonblevins) February 11, 2014
Early word is Yuki Tsubota has been taken to hospital with a jaw injury. No sign of concussion so far.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 11, 2014
Tsubota’s Canadian teammates, Dara Howell and Kim Lamarre, went on to win gold and bronze in the final. Team USA’s Devin Logan took the silver.
