US Olympian Patrick Gasienica Passes Away At 24

The world of ski jumping was shocked and saddened on Monday, June 13, 2023, when news broke that Patrick Gasienica, a 24-year-old Olympian from McHenry, Illinois, had died in a motorcycle accident.Gasienica grew up ski jumping at the Norge Ski Club and made his FIS Ski Jumping debut in 2015. Gasienica represented the United States at two FIS Junior World Ski Championships in 2016 and 2017, the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, as well as the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

Gasienica was returning home from work when the accident occurred. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gasienica was a rising star in the sport of ski jumping. He competed for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, where he finished 49th on the normal hill and 53rd on the large hill. He was also part of the U.S. men's quartet that placed 10th.

Gasienica was born and raised in McHenry, Illinois to a family of Polish immigrants from Zakopane. He began ski jumping at the age of 6 and quickly rose through the ranks of the sport. He won numerous junior championships and competed on the World Cup circuit.

Gasienica was a popular and well-respected member of the ski jumping community. He was known for his hard work and dedication to the sport. He was also a kind and compassionate person who always had a smile on his face.

His death is a huge loss to the sport of ski jumping and to the community of McHenry. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fans.

A memorial service for Gasienica will be held on Friday, June 17, at the Norge Ski Club in McHenry. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Patrick Gasienica Memorial Fund, which will support young ski jumpers in the McHenry area.

USA Nordic Sport and U.S. Ski & Snowboard's thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and the ski jumping community. Patrick Gasienica’s obituary and funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by the family.