US snowboarder in critical but stable condition after training accident in Utah

Snowboarder in critical but stable condition

SALT LAKE CITY — American snowboarder Kevin Pearce’s publicist says he is in critical but stable condition at a Salt Lake City hospital after a training accident.

Danielle Burch said Saturday that Pearce is surrounded by family and friends at University of Utah hospital.

Pearce was knocked unconscious when he hit his head during a training run Thursday in Park City.

The 22-year-old from Norwich, Vt., is a top-ranked halfpipe rider who was preparing for next week’s Olympic qualifying events in Mammoth Mountain, Calif. He is considered, along with Shaun White, to be one of America’s top athletes in a sport dominated by the United States.