David Bridges
Jackson James Rice, an up-and-coming kite foil racing star, tragically handed away this weekend simply weeks earlier than his debut within the 2024 Olympics. He was solely 18.
Rice’s father, Darren, confirmed his son died on Saturday throughout a free diving accident in Faleloa, Tonga. It is believed JJ suffered a shallow water blackout.
JJ’s father stated different divers discovered his physique round 12:15 PM on the seafloor … underneath the boat. They tried to resuscitate him however he handed away.
JJ was weeks away from making historical past on the Paris Olympics kite foiling occasion … the primary time the game has been a part of the Video games. Rice was born within the U.S., however was representing Tonga.
Kite foiling is kiteboarding … besides the board has a hydrofoil beneath, permitting it to go sooner (there are different variations as effectively).
JJ earned his spot on the Olympics workforce after ending eighth within the Sail Sydney occasion final December.
“He was an incredible kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and are available out with a giant shiny medal,” his sister Lily stated in a Fb publish.
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“I used to be blessed with probably the most superb brother in the entire world and it pains me to say that he’s handed away.”
Outdoors of being a star athlete, JJ was additionally a hero … his dad stated he rescued two women after a ferryboat capsized in Faleloa in 2021. He swam out and pulled them again to security.
R.I.P.
