Olympic snowboarder dies in avalanche at 26
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Sophie Hediger competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger died in an avalanche on Monday. She was 26. Swiss Alpine Club rescuers, search dog specialists, nearby employees and Alpine police all responded in search of Hediger, according to the Times.
![[The 26-year-old was set to compete at the World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland in March]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/24/22/GettyImages-1370058544.jpg)
Two hours later, rescuers found her. Hediger was pronounced dead at the scene after they tried to resuscitate her. “For the Swiss Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie Hediger has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas holidays,” he added. “We are immeasurably sad. We will keep an honorable memory of Sophie,” Reusser added.
Hediger grew up in Horgen, Switzerland, and spent much of her time in Arosa, Switzerland. Hediger and fellow Swiss snowboarder Kalle Koblet placed seventh in the mixed team snowboard cross race at the Beijing Olympics. She also placed 19th in the women’s race.
In 2023 and 2024, Hediger earned her first two World Cup podium places. She was set to compete at the home World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland, in March. Competing in the event was “one of her sporting dreams,” according to Swiss-Ski. Hediger posted on social media just days before her death, celebrating yet another victory in her sport.
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