Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger, 26, dies in avalanche

Sophie Hediger, a member of Switzerland's snowboard cross team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has died following an avalanche at a mountain resort, the country's skiing federation said Tuesday.

2022 Olympian earned her first 2 World Cup podium finishes last season

Sophie Hediger of Switzerland stands holding her snowboard after placing second in a women's snowboard cross event on January 26, 2024 in St Moritz, Switzerland.
Sophie Hediger of Switzerland competed at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in the women's snowboard cross and the mixed team version of the same event. (Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images/File)

Sophie Hediger, a member of Switzerland's snowboard cross team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has died following an avalanche at a mountain resort, the country's skiing federation said Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Monday at the Arosa resort in Switzerland.

Hediger, 26, competed at the Beijing Games in the women's snowboard cross and the mixed team version of the same event.

Hediger achieved her first two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023-24 season. Her best result was a second place in St. Moritz in January.

"We are shocked, and our thoughts are with Sophie's family, to whom we offer our deepest condolences," said Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser in a statement. "[She lost her life] tragically, brutally, and far too soon."

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