Tragic death: Snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in an avalanche accident

Tragic death

Snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in an avalanche accident

The Zurich boardercrosser died on Monday in Arosa. She was only 26 years old.

Published today at 1:46 p.m

Sophie Hediger died far too early.

Photo: Swiss Ski

Sad news shortly before Christmas Eve: The 26-year-old Swiss snowboarder Sophie Hediger died on Monday. As Swiss-Ski reports, she died in an avalanche accident in Arosa. Hediger, who was a member of the national squad, grew up in Horgen and was also an enthusiastic freerider. While pursuing her hobby, her life came to an end far too early.

Hediger, accompanied by another snow sports enthusiast, skied on a closed slope at 1:15 p.m., as the Graubünden cantonal police wrote. As they left the closed piste, they were hit by an avalanche on a slope. Her companion directed the rescue workers and began searching for the buried victim. These were located around 3:30 p.m. and finally rescued from the snow masses. According to the cantonal police, resuscitation later had to be stopped unsuccessfully on the avalanche field.

Hediger achieved her first two World Cup podiums last season. At the World Championships main rehearsal in St. Moritz, the boardercrosser came second, and in Gudauri, Georgia, Hediger came third. Her bigger dream was to win a medal at the home World Championships in the Engadin next March.

Sophie Hediger at the World Cup in St. Moritz in January 2024.

Photo: Mayk Wendt (Keystone)

In 2023, Hediger scored a big win in Lake Placid when she won gold at the Universiade. “Now I have one more ‘Plämpu’ at home,” she beamed. The term was deliberately chosen. Tanja Frieden described the gold medal she won in boardercross at the 2006 Olympic Games as follows. Hediger was just six years old at the time.

In 2022 she took part in the Winter Olympics in Beijing. While Hediger didn’t go according to plan in the individual competition, she reached seventh place with the team and won an Olympic diploma.

They took injuries as challenges

However, before taking part in the Olympics, the Horgner had to struggle with a setback. In a training run before the 2021 World Cup final in Veysonnaz, she suffered a torn cruciate ligament and had to take a long break. Hediger has also suffered a ruptured spleen and a shoulder injury in a fall in March of this year. “I see every injury as a challenge and try to recognize the small improvements. That helps me to push through,” Hediger was quoted as saying in a portrait by Swiss-Ski.

Although she grew up on Lake Zurich, she was often in the snow from a young age. The parents own a holiday apartment in Arosa. The Horgner also appreciated it when her family and colleagues were there at the competitions and cheered on. “That gives you a lot of energy that you want to give back with success.” Snowboard cross was also her great passion. “I find the 1:1 comparison the most fascinating thing about it.” In addition, all the disciplines are mixed: there are curves, you have to drive fast, jump. And you always receive direct feedback – whether in the qualification over time or in the finals from the competition.”

Herbie Egli is an editor in the sports department and reports on general topics. His specialties are alpine skiing and cycling.More info

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Tragic death: Snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in an avalanche accident

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