Canada’s Chris Del Bosco was in a horrific crash during the men’s ski cross competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea on Wednesday.
The Montreal native was attempting a final push on the last jump in the hope of moving on to the quarter finals.
WATCH: Calgary’s Brady Leman captures gold ski cross, Chris Del Bosco suffers serious crash
The 35-year-old went airborne on the final jump, landing hard on his right side. The freestyle skier was on the ground for several minutes before being skied off the course on a stretcher.
The Canadian Olympic Committee said Del Bosco was taken to hospital with team doctors. He was conscious, stable and nursing a suspected pelvic injury, a team spokesman said.
Alpine Canada released a statement later in the day.
“Chris Del Bosco sustained a fall during today’s skicross race. He’s been taken to hospital with team doctors for examination. Further information will be released when available,” the statement said.
The Canadian Olympic Committee was expected to provide an update Thursday.
Del Bosco, one of the founding members of the national skicross team, was trying to make up some ground after falling behind early in his pre-quarterfinal heat.
“He got a little bit antsy I think,” said Canadian coach Stanley Hayer. “He forgot where he was between turn 6 and 7, did a single instead of a double. Then he got back in the draft and he would have blown by (the others). He’s got probably the fastest skis in the world.
“He just missed his press and then got squished (jumped too far) and you saw what happened.”
A hush fell over the stunned crowd as Del Bosco soared in the air, his body twisting and flailing, before finally crashing down.
“It sucks, it’s a teammate,” said Canada’s Brady Leman, who won the gold medal. “Del was skiing super, super fast. In training he was one of the top guys every day. So he would have been tough to beat I think if he could have stayed on his feet.
“It’s too bad. I hope he’s all right. It’s a pretty dangerous sport.”
Del Bosco finished fourth when skicross made its Olympic debut at the 2010 Vancouver Games. The 2011 world champion has won gold at the Winter X Games on two occasions.
He was 17th at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
–With files from the Canadian Press