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SHANE McCONKEY R.I.P. 1969-2009

Apr 19, 2009 / 12:50:36 PM

On March 28, 2009 Shane McConkey, 39, one of the most gifted and influential skiers of the past 20 years was killed during a ski base jump the Sass Pardoi cliff in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy.

McConkey was filming a segment for Matchstick Productions next ski movie when he skied off the 600-metre cliff. It is a stunt he has performed many times before - a double back-flip before releasing his skis, opening his chute and floating to the ground - but this time his ski s failed to release.

According to J.T Holmes, a long-time friend and fellow ski base jumper, McConkey went into an upside down position and attempted to manually release his bindings. This used valuable seconds and by the time McConkey had released the skis and quickly turned back into the face down base-jumping position, it was too late and he slammed into the snow. He was killed on impact.
McConkey was a pioneer of ski base jumping and he also redefined big mountain skiing - his speed, aggressive lines and cliff jumps inspiring a generation.

During a 17-year professional career McConkey's versatility saw him win everything from mogul tour events to big mountain competitions to skiercross races to big air events.

McConkey also had a major influence on ski design and was first responsible for fat skis, marrying soft wide powder skis to the stiffer flex and longer lengths of GS skis.

He then came up with the perfect design for big, fast turns in powder - a reverse sidecut, reverse camber ski he called the Spatula. Today, nearly every reputable ski manufacturer produces a reverse side-cut, reverse cambered ski born from the Spatula, including his signature K2 model - the Pontoon.

Shane McConkey is survived by his wife Sherry, 3 year-old daughter Ayla, and his parents Jim and Glenn.

Memorial site:http://shanemcconkey.org/
Video link:http://www.mspfilms.com/msptv?nid=1358
K2 Pontoons:http://www.k2skis.com/products/skis.asp?id=12