Ralph Krisptopher photo
A popular springtime tradition at Alyeska Resort turned tragic this past Saturday when a participant sustained serious injuries during the Alaska Airlines Slush Cup. According to reporting from Alaska’s News Source, 29-year-old William Ingrim is currently hospitalized following a high-speed crash during the event’s signature pond skim.
Video footage from the Alyeska Resort Spring Carnival shows Ingrim descending the slope and hitting the jump at significant speed. He traveled nearly the entire length of the water feature before landing hard near the far edge of the pool. On-site medical personnel were seen rushing to his aid immediately following the impact.
Ingrim is a well-known member of the local community, working as a commercial fisherman and serving as a coach for the Alyeska Ski Club during the winter months. While his mother, Robin, initially shared fears regarding potential paralysis and a medically induced coma, other family members clarified on Monday that his full prognosis is still being determined by his medical team.
In a statement released Monday night, the family expressed their gratitude for the community’s response:
“It’s a tough time for Will, but he’s a resilient young man. It’s an unimaginable time for his family and friends and we appreciate all the outpouring of love, prayers and support.”
Alyeska Resort also issued a statement via its spokesperson, Bayne Salmon, noting that its thoughts are with Ingrim and his loved ones. The resort emphasized that the Slush Cup is a “carefully planned” event with emergency teams on-site, though they declined to share further personal details out of respect for the family’s privacy.
As the Girdwood community rallies behind the coach and fisherman, the incident has raised questions regarding the safety of the long-standing event. For now, the focus remains on Ingrim’s recovery and the resilience of a man his mother describes as “the nicest young man you know.”
A GoFundMe has been set up by his family to raise money to support the medical costs associated with such a life-altering injury. So far, $185k have been raised of a $200k target.
