24 December 2024 , 17:30
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Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died in an avalanche at the age of 26.
Hediger, who represented Switzerland at the last Winter Olympics, was caught up in the incident at the mountain resort of Arosa Lenzerheide on Monday.
The head of sporting body Swiss-Ski said they were ‘speechless’ and ‘immensely saddened’ by the tragic loss.
‘We are speechless, and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,’ said Walter Reusser, the chief executive at Swiss-Ski.
‘For the Swiss-Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas period. We are immensely saddened.’
The federation added that further details about the death would be kept private, as agreed with her family and partner.
Swiss snowboarder Jan Scherrer said he was ‘heartbroken’ after the news broke and urged his followers to ‘be safe’ out on the slopes.
Hediger claimed two World Cup podium finishes this year (Picture: Getty)
‘This breaks my heart,’ the Olympic bronze medal winner said. ‘We will always cherish the memories of you, Sophie.’
Hediger competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in China in the women’s snowboard cross and the mixed team snowboard cross events.
She enjoyed an impressive 2023-24 season, claiming two World Cup podium finishes. Her best result was a second place in St. Moritz last January.
Her partner Dario Wuthrich is a professional icy hockey player for Ambri-Piotta.
‘We mourn with Dario Wuthrich and share in the grief of the sudden and tragic loss of his girlfriend,’ the team said in a message on X.
In an Instagram post from last week, Hudiger – who died nine days after turning 26 – said she was ‘happy’ with her form and congratulated her international team-mates for their performances at a World Cup event.
‘P9 in the first World Cup of the season at Cervino Ski Paradise,’ she wrote. ‘Crashed in the quarter-finals.
‘Happy about my riding and my best qualification I’ve ever had with P3. Congrats to all our [Swiss flag] ladies for the great team result.’