Cassie Sharpe’s Olympic Dream Cut Short by Injury at Milano Cortina 2026

A promising run at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics came to an abrupt end for Canadian freestyle skier Cassie Sharpe after a crash during the women’s halfpipe qualification round on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Sharpe will not compete in Saturday’s final, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) confirmed.

Injury Details and Current Condition

Sharpe suffered a hard fall during her second run in the qualifier and was removed from the halfpipe on a sled. She briefly lost consciousness but is currently in stable condition, according to Team Canada. Following a precautionary stay in the hospital, Sharpe has been released and returned to the Athlete Village.

Medical Clearance and Team Canada Statement

Despite qualifying for the 12-woman final with a third-place finish in her first run (scoring 88.25 points), Sharpe has not been cleared by COC and Freestyle Canada medical staff to participate in the final.

“We are sending Cassie and her family well wishes and she is grateful for all of the support,” the COC stated in a release on Saturday.

Sharpe’s Background and Recent Achievements

The 33-year-old from Comox, British Columbia, is a decorated athlete with a distinguished Olympic career. She won gold in the halfpipe at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and secured a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Sharpe recently returned to competition after a two-year break to become a mother.

Prior to her Olympic appearance in Milano Cortina, Sharpe demonstrated strong form, earning a World Cup podium at Copper Mountain, an X Games gold medal in Aspen (becoming the first mother to ever win an X Games gold medal), and a bronze medal at the 2025 FIS World Championships.

Canadian Team Continues Competition

Despite Sharpe’s unfortunate injury, Canada will still be represented in the women’s halfpipe final by Rachael Karker and Amy Fraser.