Watch terrifying moment as Winter Olympics freestyle skier Jon Sallinen crashes into cameraman during halfpipe routine
FREESTYLE skier Jon Sallinen saw his Winter Olympics dream left in ruins after crashing into a CAMERAMAN.
The Finland star was midway through his first qualifying run in the halfpipe event in Beijing.
But as he slid backwards, preparing for his next trick, Sallinen seemingly lost control on the lip of the pipe and flew into a nearby cameraman.
The Finn sheepishly got back up and completed his run.
However, judges were thoroughly unimpressed – awarding him a scored of just 18 out of 100.
Fortunately, the camera operator did get back on his feet, after a little help from a colleague.
After the terrifying smash, Sallinen said: “I wasn’t even sure if I was gonna ski on my second run after my crash.
“I hope the cameraman is OK, I landed directly on him.”
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But Eurosport commentator James Webb blamed Sallinen for the crash.
Webb said: “He pushed so far off that first wall.
“It seems his weight was too far forward and he couldn’t regain it.
“A very graphic representation of the dangers involved in freestyle sports.”
Ex-Team GB star Richard Cobbing added: “He catches an edge, bang.
“Sallinen’s taken a good body slam on the top of the pipe, that will have hurt.”
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