Mark McMorris 'disappointed' after femur-breaking fall

Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris is thanking his family and fans for their love and support following a massive crash Sunday night.

McMorris, of Regina, broke his femur while landing a frontside 1440 triple cork at the Air+Style event in Los Angeles

"I'm disappointed to have to sit out for some time, but I am looking forward to getting back on snow as soon as possible,"McMorris said in a statement.

He is expected to have surgery later Monday, according to Red Bull Canada, adding he "is expected to make a full and speedy recovery."

'Just brutal'

McMorris had flown about 100 feet from a 16-storey jump and had just touched down when he caught an edge and went tumbling.

Commentators on the live stream described the fall as "just brutal."

Less than an hour later, McMorris's fellow Canadian in the competition, Sebastien Toutant, shared a first reaction.

Shortly afterwards, Air+Style posted an update on his condition.

Playing through the pain

It's not the first time the Regina native has been injured in competition.

McMorris won Canada's first medal of the Sochi Games in 2014, a bronze in slopestyle, just two weeks after fracturing a rib at the X Games.

When he was initially injured, McMorris said at the time that he rode to the bottom on adrenaline.

"By the time I got to the hospital, I could barely get on the bed, or laugh or talk."

His treatment at the time was Tylenol and acupuncture.