Shane McConkey, Legendary Skier, Killed During Jump in Italian Dolomites

Shane McConkey, a decorated big mountain skier and BASE jumper, was killed Thursday in a ski-BASE accident in the Italian Dolomites. According to the ESPN Action Sports report, McConkey launched off a cliff with the expectation of deploying his parachute canopy and gliding to the ground. But he had problems in the air and died on impact when he hit the ground below the cliff.

Filmmaker Scott Gaffney told ESPN that McConkey was filming with Matchstick Productions and Red Bull at the time of the accident. "It had to be a sizable cliff, at least 400 feet, for him to be planning on flying his wing suit away from it," Gaffney said.

McConkey, 39, had racked up numberous accolades throughout his career and served as an inspiration for the entire freeskiing community. "With what Shane does," said Gaffney, "it's a call you always picture getting at some point, but you realistically don't ever expect it to happen."

He is survived by his wife, Sherry, and their 3 1/2-year-old daughter, Ayla.

Deaths in Sports

Shane McConkey, March 26: The legendary big mountain skier and BASE jumper, pictured here in October 2007, died Thursday in a ski-BASE accident in the Italian Dolomites. Click through the gallery to see more recent deaths of athletes and sports personalities.

Alfredo Martinez, Red Bull Photo Files

George Kell, March 24: The Hall of Fame third baseman played 14 years in the AL with Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, Chicago and Baltimore. He was a Detroit Tigers broadcaster from 1959 to 1996.

Walt Poddubny, March 21: Drafted 90th overall by Edmonton in 1980, Poddubny played 11 NHL seasons for the Oilers, Toronto, the New York Rangers, Quebec and New Jersey.

Clement Allard, The Canadian Press / AP

Whitey Lockman, March 17: Lockman, who doubled ahead of Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard Round The World" that clinched the 1951 NL pennant, passed away after a fight with pulmonary fibrosis.

Diamond Images / Getty Images

Alex Simonka, March 14: The U.S. Coast Guard women's basketball coach died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

United States Coast Guard

Andrew "Test" Martin, March 13: The former World Wrestling Entertainment champion was found dead in his apartment. He was 33.

Ryan Pierse, Getty Images

William "Jeff" Komlo, March 13: Authorities say the former NFL quarterback was killed in a car crash in Greece.

Drayton Holcomb, The Detroit News / AP

Bill Davidson, March 13: The Basketball Hall of Famer, Detroit Pistons owner and noted philanthropist died at age 86.

Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE / Getty Images

Charles Lewis Jr., March 11: The TapouT co-founder was killed in a car accident. He was believed to be 45 years old.

TapouT

Colleen Howe, March 6: "Mrs. Hockey," the wife of hockey great Gordie Howe and one of the first female sports agents, died after battling Pick's disease, a rare form of dementia.

EFK / AP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)

3-27-2009 @ 8:41AM

Les said...

Sorry....but this is what happens to people who jump off cliffs for a living....with or without a parachute. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter....it's very sad that they were obviously a secondary aspect of his life.

3-27-2009 @ 10:29AM

hello lana said...

I agree Les, life was about him!

3-27-2009 @ 11:49AM

Michael Zack said...

Self absorbed, unfortunate soul. I feel for his family. He was lucky to live as long as he did, click, click, BOOM!

3-27-2009 @ 1:48PM

Michelle said...

Police Officers and Fire Fighters put their lives at risk each and every day they show up for work. They have jobs that can kill them at any time. Do you consider them selfish and placing their families second? Keep in mind, I AM NOT comparing this man's career to that of the heroes in the police and fire communities, I'm just curious as to why you're so harsh at one man for his choice of careers and pretend you think you know where he stood with his family.

3-27-2009 @ 1:49PM

chantelh6 said...

Learn the details before you're quick to judge. What happened to Shane was a freak accident. It's not like he just went and jumped off cliffs, everything he did was thought out and planned for months. The risk involved might seem high, but was probably less than driving on a so cal freeway. And his love for his family and friends surmounted any jump... and they know that... His daughter WILL be proud.

3-27-2009 @ 2:03PM

sensiu said...

If his wife didn't like what he did for a living, she would never have married him in the first place. Those of you who posted that his wife & family was secondary act like she's some housebound, back-in-the-day era, housewife who's at home cooking & cleaning and doesn't have a say in her own life. True, it's sad that she and her daughter will have to go through life without him, but she obviously had a choice and she chose to marry him and his career. Those types of posts are an insult to a woman who is obviously more intelligent that you posters.

3-27-2009 @ 3:15PM

icantbeyrsupaman said...

How dare you make such an statement! Do you know that family PERSONALLY??? LES??? Maybe you should take a base jump withOUT a parachute! SMH@ these idiotic morans these days...smfh...

3-27-2009 @ 3:16PM

3-27-2009 @ 5:38PM

BrigitteAntoinet said...

Uh oh, You can bet you will hear it now! It was good to say you are sorry for the family first. It is sad when people who are high risk takers die doing what they love, and leave families to suffer. My son was 15, involved in a street gang, and was shot by rivals who pulled up in a van, and sprayed the area with bullets. He was hit in the back, and the bullet traveled up through his body, and out of his mouth, and the corner could only assume he was yelling to the others to run, or to get down. I guess just living our lives sometimes is risky. May the family find comfort in the God of comfort.

3-27-2009 @ 5:45PM

arkaemsales said...

Michelle, first off firefighters and policemen put their lives on the line on a daily basis for a reason. They serve and protect. This man put his life on the line for one person, himself, the thrill of the moment, knowing that with any of these stupid stunts he could be leaving his wife and child alone. That is what makes him a self centered SOB.

Michelle said...
Police Officers and Fire Fighters put their lives at risk each and every day they show up for work. They have jobs that can kill them at any time. Do you consider them selfish and placing their families second? Keep in mind, I AM NOT comparing this man's career to that of the heroes in the police and fire communities, I'm just curious as to why you're so harsh at one man for his choice of careers and pretend you think you know where he stood with his family.

3-27-2009 @ 9:57PM

hotrod4fox1 said...

Les, I spent over 20 years in the military and served in the first Gulf war/conflict. Does that mean I am self centered also and just did it for the money? Let me tell you you SOB, it definitely wasn't for the money, but ppl like you should be over there right now like my son is in Iraq! For what? To protect idiots like you so they have freedom of speech? Thanks

3-28-2009 @ 2:35AM

ride to live said...

Gaper you have no clue what it's like to live, and your the reason why the county is in a trouble.

3-28-2009 @ 7:44AM

Dudley Haas said...

You should see my wife Betty's face. It has cracks in it the size of fault lines in a Catagory Ten Earthquake!

3-30-2009 @ 10:00AM

skateforlove69 said...

his family wasnt second just bc he put his life on the line. many people put theyre lives on the line such as police officers firefights construction wrkers and u wouldnt call them selfish. and who cares bc the man did wat he loved and died doin wat he loved is that really such a horrible thing?

3-30-2009 @ 12:56PM

Jackie said...

Yes. This wasn't any tragic accident. It is a tragedy for his surviving family, no doubt. For him it was a personal choice sport and the risk factors well known to him ( as in race car driving or horse back sports etc). Cannot be compared to Natasha Richardson's TRAGIC accident in a skiing lesson on a bunny slope.

3-30-2009 @ 1:06PM

mttnles said...

My parents always warned me about jumping off a cliff, or a bridge or the roof of the house. Some things you should not do especially when you have kids of your own. He left a wife and small baby. That's kinda self-fish.

3-27-2009 @ 8:50AM

Chad said...

What a really heartless thing to say.Just so I get this straight, anyone who has a dangerous job or what they love to do is dangerous they are putting their family secondary to that? Screw you. That mans family at some point will read this and I hope they are are a little smarter than you sir. He died doing what he loved to do, I can only hope to go the same way.
R.I.P.

3-27-2009 @ 9:42AM

MDCaver said...

As you stated "HE died doing what HE loved to do." You actually support the previous poster's belief that McConkey's family was secondary in his life. There is a huge difference between a dangerous job and trying death-defying stunts.

3-27-2009 @ 10:25AM

GRCRon4 said...

Sorry, but my wife and kids come first before I put them through a life of hell without me because I wanted to fullfill some jump off a cliff that gives me a thrill for under a minute.