'Went far too soon': Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger killed in avalanche in Switzerland
Swiss skiing officials have reported that Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has passed away due to an avalanche in Switzerland.
Hediger, who is 26 years old and part of Switzerland's snowboard cross team that competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, was at the Arosa mountain resort when the event took place on Monday.
Hediger participated in the women's snowboard cross and the mixed team event at the Beijing Olympics.
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In the 2023-24 season, she secured her initial two podium finishes in the World Cup. Her top performance was a second-place finish in St. Moritz in January.
"We are deeply saddened by this news and our hearts go out to Sophie's family. We extend our sincerest sympathies," stated Walter Reusser, the CEO of Swiss-Ski.
Mr. Reusser mentioned that Hediger was raised in Horgen, a town located roughly 20 minutes by car from Zurich, and often visited Arosa.
He remarked that her life was taken in a way that was heartbreaking, violent, and far too early.
