RIP Sam Jackenthal, 16-Year-Old Junior National Freestyle Ski Champion

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Sam Jackenthal
Sam Jackenthal

Sam Jackenthal is a 16-year-old skier who suffered a traumatic brain injury at Perisher ski resort in Australia on September 8th, 2015.  This past March, Sam won the Overall Combined Men’s First Place at USSA Junior Nationals due to his excellent placement in the Slopestyle, Big Air and Half Pipe competitions.

Sam passed away from his injuries this Friday, October 1st, 2015, in Australia. 

“We are heartbroken to share that Sam passed away late last night in Australia with his immediate family at his side. We believe that while his physical body is no longer with us, his light and spirit will continue to shine bright and bring happiness to us all, just as he always has. It is our hope, that his incredible drive, compassion and passion for life can inspire others to live life to the very fullest.” – Ron Jackenthal, Sam’s father via Facebook on October 2nd, 2015

Sam Jackenthal
Sam Jackenthal

Sam was not training at the time of his accident.  He was freeskiing.  Details of his crash have not and likely will not be released.

Our sincere condolences to all of Sam’s friends and family.

A memorial service has not yet been planned.

video of Sam Jackenthal tearing it up in 2015

PRESS RELEASE FROM U.S. FREESKIING:

PARK CITY, UT (Oct. 3, 2015) – U.S. Freeskiing, and the entire U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association family, joined the Park City community in mourning the passing of Sam Jackenthal, a wonderful young man and a remarkable athlete. The 16-year-old freeskiing champion passed away this week from injuries suffered in a training accident in Australia several weeks ago, with his family at his side.

A Park City native, Jackenthal grew up on the mountain and was passionate about freeskiing. Last winter, skiing for Team Park City United, he won the combined title (slopestyle, halfpipe, big air) at the USSA Junior Nationals. His coach Chris ‘Hatch’ Haslock remembered him as ‘a treasured member of the Team Park City United Family and one who always brought the highest level of competition, character, humor and camaraderie with him to the hill.

“As our community and his family have kept vigil these past few weeks, we’ve all learned so much about Sam as a remarkable person who brought joy to those around him and an athlete who was achieving his dream,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Our hearts go out to the Jackenthals, as well as their extended family with Team Park City United.”

Plans have not yet been established for any memorial services.

Sam Jackenthal
Sam Jackenthal

MORE INFO ABOUT SAM JACKENTHAL:

by PR Newswire

By the tender age of 3, Sam was already donning skis and swooshing down slopes in his hometown of Park City, UT. Smart and determined, in 2013, Sam earned a slot in Winter Sport School in Park City, a unique opportunity for qualified athletes and academics, to train and compete on the national and international ski circuit in the winter, while schooling in the summer. Fast-forward to this March 2015, Sam won the Overall Combined Men’s First Place at USSA Junior National following an outstanding finish in Slopestyle, Big Air and Half pipe. The kid’s on fire!

Sam, now 16, continues to rip up the slopes, rails and jumps to fly high – flipping and twisting in the air – with Axis Freeride. His intense passion for life and achievement is always on full display. When the winter snow melts, Sam hones his slick, sassy skills on inline skates at Camp Woodward, the leader in aggressive inline skating instruction. This hardworking, focused, fun-seeking kid is always going full throttle.

Training and competing is not a solo sport. Sam’s dad Ron is a fixture on the slopes shooting photos and videos and his mom Jen is the Energizer Bunny, cheering him on and keeping things on schedule. While, his super star soccer player sister, Skylar, 14, is his number one fan and best friend. As is his pooch “Flip!”

Sam Jackenthal
Sam Jackenthal

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