Winter sports: Park City freeskier Sam Jackenthal dies after crash in Australia

In penning a farewell to one of his longtime treasured athletes, Chris "Hatch" Haslock summarized the life of 16-year-old Sam Jackenthal the only way he saw fit.

"Sam was meant to fly," wrote Haslock, Jackenthal's coach at Team Park City United, on the club's Facebook page.

Jackenthal, the 16-year-old freeskier from Park City who suffered a severe head injury in a crash between training sessions at Perisher Ski Resort in Australia on Sept. 8, died Thursday with his family at his side. His father, Ron, announced the news Friday evening in a post on Facebook.

"We believe that while his physical body is no longer with us, his light and spirit will continue to shine bright and bring happiness to us all, just as he always has," Ron Jackenthal wrote. "It is our hope, that his incredible drive, compassion and passion for life can inspire others to live life to the very fullest."

The junior national champion freeskier who attended the Winter Sports School in Park City was in Australia for a two-week camp with Team Park City United.

According to Team Park City United executive director Ryan Walsh, Jackenthal suffered a fall while a group of athletes and coaches were freeskiing in an in-bounds area at Perisher.

He suffered severe brain damage as a result of the crash and was in a coma.

Three weeks later, the 2015 USSA Junior National combined winner passed away.

"As our community and his family have kept vigils these past few weeks, we've all learned so much about Sam as a remarkable person who brought joy to those around him and an athlete who was achieving his dream," U.S. Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Tiger Shaw said in a release.

According to Team Park City United, there is no public memorial planned and the Jackenthal family has asked for its privacy.

ckamrani@sltrib.com

Twitter: @CKTribune