Terrible misfortune so close to Christmas!

Snowboard star Sophie Hediger († 26) is dead. She died on Monday in an avalanche accident in Arosa. This was announced by the Swiss Ski Association, citing Hediger’s family.

Walter Reusser (43), CEO Sport Swiss Ski: “With the tragic death of Sophie Hediger, a dark shadow has fallen over the Christmas period for the Swiss Ski family.” We are incredibly sad. We will honor Sophie’s memory.”

At the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022, Hediger remained without a medal, but in the last World Cup season he caught the eye with two podium finishes. In her last race on December 14th she came in 9th place. In March she wanted to compete for a medal at the World Championships in Engadin (Switzerland).

According to information from the Graubünden police, Hediger skied on the closed Black Diamond piste accompanied by another snow athlete. “They left the closed piste and the woman was caught in an avalanche on a slope. “Her companion notified the rescue workers and went to search for the buried victim,” the police wrote.

Accordingly, the athlete was able to be rescued from the snow masses in the afternoon. According to police, resuscitation had to be stopped at the avalanche field without success.