....
For over 15 years, Craig Kelly has left an indelible mark on the sport
of
snowboarding. Craig's career recently evolved into backcountry guiding
where
he was based primarily in British Columbia. Over the weekend, Craig was
guiding a group of skiers and riders in the Revelstoke area of British
Columbia. The group was caught in an avalanche. Tragically, Craig Kelly
and
seven others did not survive.
Craig's riding style, ideas and passion helped define snowboarding and
influenced the sport and industry in innumerable ways. Craig was a
four-time
World Champion, a three-time U.S. Open Champion and a three-time Baker
Banked Slalom Champion.
"I can't think of a bigger loss to the sport, and to all of us
personally,"
says Jake Burton. "Craig was the epitome of core: to be World Freestyle
Champion four times and rule the sport the way he did was a huge
accomplishment, but to retire from competing and go on to become a
backcountry guide says far more about him. He is the rider who put
professionalism into team riding, and then later demonstrated his
passion by
dedicating his life to the sport. I know Craig would want us to respect
the
loss of the other victims as much as him. I'm sure that for Craig that
was
the toughest part along with leaving Savina and Olivia."
Craig Kelly was 36 years old and is survived by his daughter, Olivia
and
partner, Savina. The entire Burton family deeply mourns his loss and
extends
our sympathies to all the families and friends touched by this tragedy.
J'ecoutais les news sur CNN sur l'avalanche en me disant bah.. encore des gars qu'on ete imprudent.. en fait ils disent que les gars etaient confirmes et tout... d'un coups le choc.. la presentatrice dis que l'un des gars tue etait Craig Kelly!!!!!!!!!!
J'ai failli m'etouffer... c'est vraiement pas coool et c'est la preuve que la montagne peux toucher n'importe qui meme les plus experimentes
Un très grand bonhomme nous a quittés... perte irréparable pour notre sport, comme le dit Jake B.
Décidément la série noire continue...
Farewell, Craig et merci de nous avoir fait rêver...
inscrit le 6/10/02
183 messages