The son of two-time Olympic freestyle skier John Smart has died after he was buried in an avalanche while skiing in Japan.
Kai Smart, 23, succumbed to the injuries that he suffered in the natural disaster as he was left in a coma and was fighting for his life in the hospital, John said on Monday.
“It is with immense sadness that we have to let you know that our kind, brave and beautiful son and brother Kai is no longer with us,” John, who represented Canada at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics, wrote on Facebook.
“We are beyond heartbroken and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young.”
Kai, from Whistler, Canada, was flown to Vancouver last Thursday, but “the severe lack of oxygen he endured during the avalanche had destroyed any chance of recovery.”
John paid tribute to his filmmaker son, the director of the ski film Tien Shan Dream, which can be streamed on Outside TV.
“Kai was a warrior, a mountain man, an explorer of the world, a lover of people of all walks of life, an inspiration to so many, an honor student, a passionate skier, surfer, dirt biker, climber, kitesurfer and so much more,” he wrote.
“He lived life to the fullest every single day, with joy, curiosity, and intensity, and experienced more in his short time than most do in a lifetime.
“He truly was a bright light, and his energy—his excitement for life and for learning—touched everyone who knew him.
“He was always searching for the road less travelled, drawn to new places, new ideas, and new experiences.”
John, who won 17 World Cup medals during his career, said his son was “constantly learning, researching and engaging with the world.”
John revealed that Kai’s organs are being used to keep four other people alive.
“This gives us great comfort,” he said.
Just a month before being caught up in the avalanche, Kai promoted Tien Shan Dream – a documentary film showing a team navigating Kazakhstan’s Tien Shan mountains over 14 days.
The documentary was Kai’s “first foray” into the film industry and he gushed in a Facebook post he was “really happy” with the end result.
Kai, who graduated from the University of British Columbia with honors last May, peppered his social media with shots from the slopes and his adventures in Asia.
“Kai was a skier with heartfelt passion, true grit, and a unique soul which vibrated anytime he stepped into the mountain’s playground,” Freestyle Canada said in an Instagram post as the organization paid tribute.
“Kai’s love for skiing, adventure, and for life itself will leave a lasting mark on our community, and he will be deeply missed.”
Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, who won silver at the Sochi 2014 Games, said: “There are no words. Sending you and your family love.”
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