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PARK CITY — A 16-year-old freeskiing champion from Park City recently died from injuries sustained during an accident in Australia.
Team Park City United athlete Sam Jackenthal was attending a ski camp at Perisher Resort when the accident occurred at the beginning of September. He was treated at a hospital in Australia for several weeks but died from his injuries Thursday, according to TPCU.
His longtime coach Chris 'Hatch' Haslock said Jackenthal was surrounded by family and close friends at the time of his death.
"Sam brought light and love to everyone who knew him — he made their lives better than before they met," Haslock wrote. "I am comforted knowing that Sam's life was full of everything he loved. He lived to the fullest with passion and enthusiasm — an unabashed love for life."
[Young, talented, and full of heart. Your positivity will live on in our memories and energy forever. You made my day better every time you gave me a high five. I love you buddy and I'm gonna miss you and your smile and incredible energy, I will always think of you until we meet again and get to high five again! Love you Sam! Rest in peace and eternal love 🙏🏼 #smileforsam](https://instagram.com/p/8XQuotyL5j/) A photo posted by Alex Schlopy (@aschlopy) on
In March, Jackenthal claimed the freeskiing combined title at the USSA Junior National Championships. He was also a freestyle inline skate champion.
Jackenthal "was meant to fly," according to Haslock.
"It was said, 'Sam showed us the best qualities within each of us.' 'In 16 years, Sam figured out how to live life better than most people three times his age,'" he wrote. "We are fortunate to have been in his presence and have the extreme privilege of knowing and loving such a unique and extraordinary individual. He truly lived a lifetime in 16 years."
Plans for a public memorial service have not yet been established, according to TPCU.