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
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