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 mentioned different divers discovered his physique round 12:15 PM on the seafloor … below 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 properly).
JJ earned his spot on the Olympics group after ending eighth within the Sail Sydney occasion final December.
“He was an amazing kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal,” his sister Lily mentioned in a Fb put up.
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“I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world and it pains me to say that he’s passed away.”
Exterior of being a star athlete, JJ was additionally a hero … his dad mentioned he rescued two ladies after a ferryboat capsized in Faleloa in 2021. He swam out and pulled them again to security.
R.I.P.
