Wasilla monoskier wipes out on jump but finishes 2nd

Peck, 25, finished second in the monoski cross finals in Aspen, Colo. He led the race at the midway point but lost the lead on a steeply banked turn when Canada's Samson Danniels got the inside track.

Peck remained within striking distance of Danniels and was close behind him as they launched themselves high into the air on the final big jump. Peck landed badly and spun out of control, sending a big spray of snow into the air.

Danniels coasted in for the gold medal and Peck skidded in for the silver.

"I tried taking him mid-flight," Peck told espn.com.

Peck picked up monoskiing after he was paralyzed in a 2005 car accident. He'd been a snowboarder for 10 years before that, so he was comfortable making turns and getting air on mountains.

He and his rivals compete on equipment consisting of a molded seat connected to a single ski. Peck's ski tips were near Danniels' tails as they took flight on the final jump just before the finish line.

Peck may have made mid-air contact with Danniels -- it wasn't clear on video of the race -- but if he did, Danniels escaped unscathed.

Danniels made the run down an inclined course featuring jumps, bumps and sharp turns in 1 minute, 51.977 seconds. Peck finished in 1:52.612 and bronze medalist Josh Dueck finished in 1:53.135. Peck posted the fastest time in the semifinals, a 1:55.599.

Peck was one of two Alaskans who competed Sunday in Aspen.

Cory Davis of Soldotna just missed taking a medal in the snowmobile best trick contest, which Heath Frisby of Idaho ruled by pulling off the first front flip in the history of the sport.

Davis, a two-time Winter X bronze medalist in speed and style, was competing in the best trick contest for the first time. His top score of 79.33 put him more than 10 points behind bronze medalist Joe Parsons (88.0). Frisby blew away everyone with a score of 96.66.

Earlier in the week, Davis finished sixth in the snowmobile freestyle competition.

Also on Sunday, former UAA skier Dave Duncan claimed the bronze medal in the men's skicross finals. Duncan, who is from British Columbia, raced four seasons for the UAA alpine team from 2002-06.

Reach Beth Bragg at bbragg@adn.com or 257-4335.v