VANCOUVER -- The husband of former freestyle skiing star Sarah Burke has helped start a charitable foundation in her name.
Burke, a four-time Winter X Games champion in superpipe skiing, died last January after a practice accident in Utah.
She would have been a gold-medal favourite for Canada next year in Sochi, where halfpipe skiing makes its Olympics debut. Burke, a pioneer in her sport, was instrumental in getting superpipe skiing added to the Olympic program.
The Sarah Burke Foundation, run by Burke's husband, Rory Bushfield, will raise money to provide scholarships to athletes and donate to organizations Burke supported.
The first fundraising efforts will come through the sale of necklaces, T-shirts and goggles, all branded with Burke's name. The necklace will include a snowflake pendant that's inspired by the tattoo Burke wore on her foot.
Burke was born in Barrie, Ont., and grew up in Midland, Ont., before moving to Squamish, B.C.
