By: Patti Moon

p.moon@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS – Haley Gans was known as a dedicated skater with a big heart. She died in a ski accident in Breckenridge on Friday.

Witnesses say Haley was skiing fast down an intermediate trail when she hit a tree. Haley was wearing a helmet, but died from what looks like blunt force trauma to her chest.

Janet Champion was Haley's coach and worked with her for 2 years.

"It's a devastating loss for us and we learned a lot from her," said Champion. "Everyone loved her."

Champion remembers Haley for her kindness. She says Haley never let the competitive nature of skating affect her.

"If she was working on a double axle and she couldn't quite accomplish it and another skater could all of a sudden be able to do it, she would be genuinely thrilled for that skater," Champion said.

Something most people did not notice about Haley was that she was deaf. She got a cochlear implant about 2 years ago.

"That helped her a great deal to be able to hear," said Champion. "Instead of just reading lips, she could hear what her coaches said to her and she could hear her music better."

Music is what Haley loved most. Champion says she had a natural ear for it and always skated creatively.

"She loved to skate to music," Champion said. "She could just feel her music even better than the rest of us that could hear really well."

Peers and coaches say she will be remembered for motivating others to be their best.

"The most important thing to remember about Haley is just how she loved what she was doing and the happy smile on her face," said Champion. "She was an inspiration to all of us."

One of Haley's friends, Jeremy Abbott, dedicated his performance to her Friday night. He said it was the most difficult skate of his life, but he did win the short program at Skate Canada.