Memorial set for Aspen skier killed in Alaska

Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
April 15, 2008

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ASPEN, Colorado (AP) — A memorial service is planned Monday evening at the Aspen Square Hotel for a 27-year-old Aspen native who died during a skiing competition in Alaska.

Twenty-seven-year-old John Nicoletta was taking part in the U.S. World Free Skiing Championships at the Alyeska Resort when he tumbled down the rocky face of the headwall Friday.

He tumbled about 100 feet onto rocks.

Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Bryan Barlow says resuscitation efforts continued for about 45 minutes before Nicoletta was pronounced dead.

Mountain Sports International president Adam Comey says Nicoletta’s death has hit all the skiing community hard, and it’s not just Aspen that’s hurting.

Friday’s competition was delayed after Nicoletta’s death, then postponed until Saturday.