Craig Kelly tragically killed in avalanche
News feed courtesy of www.bluetomato.at

News has recently arisen that the snowboard legend Craig Kelly both four times world champion and three times U.S Open champion was one of the seven victims in the fatal avalanche near Revelstoke, British Columbia in Canada on Monday 20.01.2003.

Craig Kelly, 36, who retired from one of the most successful competitive careers in snowboarding history to follow his heart into the backcountry, was killed in an avalanche Monday near Revelstoke in the Canadian Rockies.

Kelly was working as a guide for two groups of backcountry adventurers

organized by Selkirk Mountain Experience Skiing. They were heli-skiing on the glacier when a major slide occurred, trapping 8 and killing 7, including Kelly.

This news has come to a shock to all with an interest in the sport of snowboarding, especially to those who knew him personally. Craig was a Burton rider and has always until this day been involved in the development of Burton products and snowboarding as a whole. Craig was one of the most successful snowboarders of all time, in slalom and freestyle riding. He was so successful he was one of the first snowboarders to ever have a pro model board, the Craig Kelly Air from Burton.

Jake Burton, founder of the Burton Snowboard company had these words to say: "I can't think of a bigger loss to the sport, and to all of us personally, Craig was the epitome of core: to be World Freestyle Champion four times and rule the sport the way he did was a huge accomplishment, but to retire from competing and go on to become a backcountry guide says far more about him."
Craig was renowned for his smooth riding style and ability to pick the perfect line. None other than the legendary Terje Haakonsen said Kelly was the best snowboarder of all time. "I met Craig in 1989," says Terje Haakonsen. "He was my inspiration before I met him. When I finally met him he turned out to be the best possible role model. He has always been the mentor for my friends and me. Not just because of his snowboarding, but also for his lifestyle and love for the mountains. I don't know anybody else that loved mountain riding as much as he did. Nor do I know anybody who had the style and grace coming down the mountain. Having Craig leaving us, he will still be my greatest mentor."
Craig was a rider who rode only for the experience, no interest in fame, looking cool or being recognised, he simply enjoyed the mountains and the thrill it gave him. A quote from Craig perfectly describes his view of the sport of snowboarding, "my highest appreciation goes out to the simple rider who's out there just for the experience. Taking in the mountains rates even higher to me than the mark we make on them, and the people who do that the best are the ones I most wish to emulate".
Craig Kelly was a purveyor of our sport and his contributions should never be forgotten. In fact he was so involved with the development and advancement of snowboarding that his contributions will be very difficult to forget, it could be said the way we ride today is a result of him pushing the boundaries of snowboarding.
Our thoughts go out to the families of the other six victims involved in the avalanche and of course to Craig's young daughter Olivia and his partner Savina.