Snowboarder Sarka Pancochova Splits Helmet After Nasty Crash on Slopestyle Course
The 23-year-old snowboarder experienced one of the worst slopestyle spills in Sochi, bringing concerns about the safety of the course and prevalence of concussions front and center.

Over the weekend, snowboarder Sarka Pancochova of the Czech Republic was poised to medal in women's slopestyle, the first year the tournament appeared at the Olympics. As she took her final run, she suffered one of the worst falls seen on the Sochi slopestyle course (opens in new tab), which caused her helmet to crack in half and the snowboarder to fall like a rag doll down part of the mountain.
She lay still for a few seconds before sitting up as medics ran to her assistance. She eventually stood on her board and rode down the rest of the course, but was unable to complete her rotation. She appeared to be somewhat woozy when she reached her fellow competitors at the bottom of the mountain. She placed fifth in the competition.
According to the Wall Street Journal (opens in new tab), a spokesperson for the Czech team said Pancochova might have suffered a "small concussion" and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The horrific spill, which caused her fellow competitors to yell and flinch on the sidelines, has brought concerns over the safety of the course and the prevalence of concussions among snowboarders front and center. As Cosmopolitan.com reported last week (opens in new tab), research suggests that female athletes face a greater concussion risk than men. And Pancohchova is not the first female snowboarder of the Sochi Olympics to potentially suffer this injury.
One day prior, New Zealander Christy Prior withdrew from the semifinals (opens in new tab) after she crashed during practice and team doctors said she might have suffered a concussion. With more research linking cumulative concussions and degenerative brain disease (as seen among football players), snowboarders could also be at risk for potential head problems later in life.
In an interview with USA Today (opens in new tab), Olympic snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis said that for American riders, team officials require athletes to take baseline tests before the season and are tested again three weeks after concussion symptoms dissipate. Doctors must clear athletes for competition.
But concerns about the course's safety started when athletes first arrived in Sochi, and even after Olympic officials made improvements to the course by waxing a rail and adjusting the landing on a jump, some snowboarders were still concerned.
Last week Olympian Shaun White decided to withdraw from the slopestyle competition. White said in a statement on NBC's Today show (opens in new tab), "With the practice runs I have taken, even after course modifications and watching fellow athletes get hurt, the potential risk of injury is a bit too much for me to gamble my other Olympics goals on."
Click here to see video of the crash (opens in new tab).
-
Fans Are Already Clamoring for Season 3 of 'Shadow and Bone'
Here's where the fantasy series could go next.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Liv Hewson Is Worth the Buzz
When the Aussie-born actor was cast as Van in Showtime’s hit 'Yellowjackets' the character was barely in the pilot. Now, Hewson’s the scene-stealing comic relief and one-half of the show’s It Couple—and they’re prepared to take on an even bigger role in season two.
By Jessica Goodman
-
I’m a Beauty Editor—Here’s What I’m Shopping During Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Sale
Prepare to stock up on Fenty, Kiehl’s, Stila, and more for 50 percent off.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 56 Best Musical Movies of All Time: Iconic Movie Musicals
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy
-
29 Nude Movies With Porn-Level Nudity
All the nudity of porn, but with the plot and storylines of mainstream film.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Hasnat Khan, Princess Diana’s Boyfriend on Season 5 of ‘The Crown’?
Di’s friends have said she referred to the doctor as “the love of her life.”
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Penelope "Penny" Knatchbull?
She and Prince Philip strike up an unlikely friendship throughout the fifth season of 'The Crown.'
By Andrea Park
-
'The Crown' Season 5: Everything We Know
The bombshell fifth season just dropped on Netflix.
By Andrea Park
-
90 Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired By Movies and TV Shows
Most of these Halloween costumes double as stylish additions to your closet.
By Brooke Knappenberger