Swiss snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in avalanche

A member of Switzerland’s snowboard team has died in an avalanche at the winter resort of Arosa, in the east of the country, the Swiss Ski Federation announced on Tuesday.

Sophie Hediger, 26, was caught in an avalanche in Arosa, west of Davos, on Monday.

“We are lost for words, and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family. We extend our most sincere condolences to the family,” Walter Reusser, a director at the Swiss federation, said in a statement.

Hediger secured her first two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023/2024 season. The federation announced that she competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Swiss Ski Federation said it would keep details surrounding Hediger’s death private. This decision was made together with her family and partner.

According to Swiss media, Hediger was riding the closed “Black Diamond” trail at around 1:15 p.m., accompanied by another person. The two left the piste and Hediger was caught in an avalanche on a slope. She was found by rescue teams at around 3:30 p.m.

All resuscitation attempts were stopped at the avalanche site, Graubünden cantonal police wrote.

The athlete from Zurich last competed in the World Cup at the season opener in Corvina, Italy, on December 14.

“We are saddened. We will honor Sophie’s memory,” the Swiss federation wrote.

A few weeks ago, Switzerland was shaken when a cyclist died in a serious incident. Now the snowboarder has also died.