Sophie Hediger, a 26-year-old Swiss snowboarder who competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics, tragically lost her life in an avalanche at a ski resort, according to officials.
According to a statement from Switzerland’s ski federation, the incident took place on Monday at the Arosa resort.
“We are stunned and in our thoughts with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,” Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement.
“With the tragic death of Sophie Hediger, a dark shadow has been placed over the Christmas days for the Swiss ski family. We are immeasurably sad. We will keep Sophie an honorable memory,” he added.
Hediger took part in the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing. She showcased her skills in snowboard cross and also participated in the mixed team snowboard cross. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the quarterfinals in the singles event, and her team faced defeat in the semifinals of the mixed event.
In 2023, Hediger made a strong comeback by clinching a gold medal at the FISU World University Games held in Lake Placid, New York. She stood out among three Swiss participants who also achieved the feat by securing gold medals.
In January, she accomplished two remarkable achievements in the World Cup, including a notable second-place finish in St. Mortiz.