Zoricic family questions race safety
The family of Canadian skier Nik Zoricic, who died during a ski cross race last month, is rebutting claims his fatal crash was a “freak accident.”
Zoricic’s parents, Bebe Zoricic and Silvia Brudar, and their Toronto-based lawyer, Timothy Danson, will be speaking to media and answering questions about Zoricic’s death Wednesday, according to media reports.
The 29-year-old suffered head injuries and died after crashing into safety netting near the end of his March 10 run in a World Cup race in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
Brudar told Postmedia News the family would be commenting about Zoricic’s accident, but declined to comment further.
“Many have characterized Nik’s death as a ‘freak’ accident. Such a characterization distorts the truth and does a serious disservice to Nik,” according to a statement from the family and its lawyer.
“A more informed and honest discussion i s needed,” the statement said. “The real facts leading to Nik’s death will be fully discussed.”
Also to be discussed would be “initiatives which the Zoricic family feels are essential to avoid such tragedies in the future.”
The International Ski Federation and Swiss police have launched investigations into the crash and have yet to release their reports.
Described by friends and colleagues as a hard-working and dedicated athlete who was “very much loved by his teammates and fellow competitors,” Zoricic started his skiing career as an alpine racer, but later switched to ski cross, which made its Olympic debut at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
He earned two podium spots in his ski cross career and placed sixth overall in World Cup standings in 2011.
Zoricic’s death follows that of another Canadian “extreme sport” athlete, Olympic halfpipe specialist Sarah Burke, who died of injuries sustained from a fall during a training run in January.