Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in avalanche accident

Hediger represented Switzerland at Winter Olympics

Sophie Hediger takes 2nd place during the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup Men's and Women's Snowboard Cross. Picture: Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images

The Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died following an avalanche accident in Arosa on Monday, the Swiss-Ski federation has announced.

Hediger, 26, was a member of the snowboard cross-national team and took part in the 2022 Winter Olympics in China before achieving her first two World Cup podium places in the 2023-24 season.

The Swiss-Ski sport chief executive, Walter Reusser, said: “We are speechless and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences.

“For the Swiss-Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas period. We are immeasurably sad.” Swiss-Ski said no further details about Hediger’s death would be released, a decision which was taken in agreement with her family and partner.