Winter Olympics 2018: Horror moment Swiss skier Joel Gisler smashes into lip of half-pipe before crashing to floor in heap
Gisler was pulling off a rotation in the air as his legs misjudged the edge of the half pipe and crashed with his skis flying in different directions
ONE Olympic skier took a nasty tumble as he ended up without even his skis during the half pipe event.
Switzerland’s Joel Gisler came down hard on the lip of the halfpipe and landed so awkwardly, the blades flew off his feet and in opposite directions.
Gisler, 23, was competing in his second Games, having been taken to Sochi four years ago as an 19-year-old.
He landed head first after a 10-metre fall on to the base of the pipe, leaving shocked spectators and viewers on TV immediately worried for his health.
Fortunately Gisler, after a moment of looking dazed, was able to get back to his feet and walk away with help from medical staff.
He failed to qualify in the top 12 having harboured hopes of making the final round, where the medals are won and lost.
USA’s Aaron Blunck dominated the qualifying round as the Americans secured all top three spots.
The 21-year-old scored 94.40 in his second run to edge out compatriots Alex Ferreira and Torin Yater-Wallace.
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The Americans will have the final three runs in the final but defending champ David Wise failed to qualify.
Kiwi brothers Byron and Beau-James Wells progressed in fourth and fifth place.