Cassie Sharpe Crashes Hard in Halfpipe, Leaves Course on Stretcher

Two-time Olympic medalist Cassie Sharpe was stretchered off the course Thursday night after a frightening crash during women’s halfpipe qualifying at the Milan Cortina Games.

The 33-year-old Canadian landed off-balance on one of her jumps during her second qualifying run, slamming hard onto her left side before sliding face-down to the bottom of the pipe. Medical personnel rushed to her side and attended to her for several minutes before placing her on a stretcher.

How Did Cassie Sharpe Fall?

The fall came on her second run. After her first, Sharpe sat in second place, putting her in strong position to advance to Saturday’s final if scores hold. As she was pulled away, Sharpe waved to the crowd.

No official update on her condition was immediately available.

Cassie Sharpe's Olympic Journey

For Sharpe, just being in Milan Cortina represented a victory long before Thursday night’s scare.

The Canadian star won Olympic gold in halfpipe at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and followed it up with silver at Beijing 2022. Shortly after that podium finish, she stepped away from competition. She started a family and believed her Olympic chapter had closed. But, by January 2024, she went back into training mode.

Sharpe won X Games Aspen 2025, a moment she later described as surreal — winning at the highest level again, this time as a mother. That victory cemented her belief that she could compete with a field that has only grown more aggressive and technically advanced.

At 33, Sharpe is one of the most experienced athletes in the halfpipe. Qualifying for Milan Cortina was her stated goal. Everything beyond that, she said, was a bonus.