Tributes paid to Scots ski champion who died in Oregon road accident

TRIBUTES have been made to a Scottish skiing champion who died after allegedly being hit by a car in the United States.

Craig Macfie, 24, from Morningside, Edinburgh, was reportedly knocked down as he was cycling home in Oregon, where he was a student.

Mr Macfie’s brother, Alistair, told friends of the death of the former George Watson’s College pupil in a Facebook message.

He said Mr Macfie was knocked off his bike early in the morning and never regained consciousness.

He added: “He was surrounded, when we got to Oregon, by many of his American friends who had kept vigil over him until we arrived. He received the best of care from a wonderful hospital with caring professional staff.

“All our family are grateful for all our great memories. He enjoyed a full, interesting and enjoyable life. We will miss him dreadfully.”

Patrick Compton, 21, also a student at the University of Oregon, has been arrested and charged in connection with Mr Macfie’s death.

Mr Macfie studied at Aberdeen University before moving to the United States to study for a masters degree. He won a string of skiing titles and was part of the GB team.

He had been studying sports marketing.

A spokesman for Snowsport Scotland said: “He will be sorely missed, not only by his family and friends but the sport as a whole.

“Craig Macfie was an exceptionally talented athlete who skied for the Scottish and GB Alpine teams as well as, latterly, British universities.

“He was known for his dogged commitment to his sport, his quirky sense of humour, being able to smile and bounce back after injury, as well as his physical and mental strength.

“One video clip sums Craig up: a spectacular crash at the World Universities Championships in Ezurum, Turkey, earlier in 2011. The video captures him crashing, being thrown off the piste by the impact, breaking through a safety fence, bouncing and sliding down a 100m slope, after which he stands up, face covered with blood, smiling and giving the thumbs up.”

Neil McQuoid, of the magazine Racer Ready, said: “Craig achieved eight top-ten finishes in international races. He twice finished second, and only lost to guys who are now at the very top of the sport.”

Tributes flooded in to Craig’s Facebook page. Jo Morrison, of Torphins, Aberdeenshire, wrote: “Absolutely devastated Craig. Many amazing times together bud. Many memories! You had a huge impact on the people around you and will be sorely missed by everyone.”

Laura Penhaul wrote: “My heart goes out to all of Craig’s family and friends after such a horrific tragedy. I only knew Craig for a short period at the winter university games, but he made a lasting impression on us all, with good humour, always a smile (even when he’d landed on his face through the netting), so unassuming and generally an all-round lovely guy with so much ambition.”

A George Watson’s spokesman said: “It was with great sadness that we learned the sad news of Craig Macfie’s death.

“Craig was a most likeable, friendly and good-natured young man who played his part in the general life of the school throughout his school career.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said it was providing consular assistance to the family.