Winter Olympian Beau-James Wells has been cut down with a serious knee injury, while practicing for a FIS World Cup event in Colorado.
The halfpiper posted on social media that he ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) during a heavy fall.
The injury is set to keep the 23-year-old on the sidelines for close to a year.
"Definitely pretty gutted 'cause I was really looking forward to this season, but I try not to get too attached, especially in this sport," he wrote in Instagram.
"Summer will be sick and I do like a good rehab, it's rather satisfying. Thank you to my wonderful family and sponsors."
"Skiing, I'll see you in nine months."
Wells, 23 - one of three brothers selected for the PyeongChang Olympics - was NZ flagbearer at the opening ceremony and narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fourth in the halfpipe final. Fellow Kiwi Nick Porteous edged him out of the medals.
Older brother Jossi had to withdraw from the Olympics, also with a knee injury.
Newshub.
