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    Human Interest Commentary

    26-Year-Old Olympic Swiss Snowboarder Dies in Christmas Eve Avalanche in Switzerland

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    A young Olympic snowboarder tragically died in an avalanche that impacted a ski resort in Switzerland on Monday.  On Tuesday, officials with the Swiss ski federation announced that 26-year-old Sophie Hediger had passed away at the Arosa resort.  Hediger had competed in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games representing Switzerland.

    “We are stunned and in our thoughts with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,” Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement.  He continued, “With the tragic death of Sophie Hediger, a dark shadow has been placed over the Christmas days for the Swiss ski family. We are immeasurably sad. We will keep Sophie an honorable memory.”

    The tragic incident sparked a outpouring of support from across the ski community on social media.  Reporting about the incident on X, ESPN wrote, “Sophie Hediger, a member of Switzerland’s national snowboard cross team, died in an avalanche at the mountain resort of Arosa, the Swiss-Ski federation said on Tuesday. Hediger, 26, was caught up in the avalanche in Arosa on Monday.”

    Swiss outdoors website Freschies.ch posted, “RIP Sophie.  The Swiss professional snowboarder Sophie Hediger died in an avalanche accident on Monday. We wish her family and friends a lot of strength in this difficult time.” “RIP Sophie Hediger 🙏💔 Snowboarder from Switzerland who competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics dies in avalanche at just 26 years old 🏂❄️ Her talent and spirit will be deeply missed 😢,” one user wrote on X.

    Another user on social media, claiming to be a friend of Hediger’s, expressed utter disbelief that the young woman had passed away.  “I’m simply shook. I’ve just learned my friend Sophie Hediger was killed in an avalanche. We were having a blast a while back, she helped me to learn how to be a better snowboarder. #RIPSophieHediger You were a beautiful Olympic athlete who was fun, authentic, genuine. 26yo,” X user Dame Sarah Bapitsta commented on X.

    Other posts offered much needed thoughts and prayers to Hediger and her grieving family.  “This is tragic 💔. Prayers for Sophie and her family. May she be remembered for dying doing something I’m sure she loved. We can never understand God’s timing. 🙏,” another user wrote, offering prayers to Hadiger’s family.

    Journalist Kristy Tallman shared a lengthy post giving X users a detailed synopsis of the tragedy. “🚨‼️Swiss Olympian Sophie Hediger Dies in Avalanche at Swiss Alps Resort Swiss snowboarder Sophie Hediger, 26, tragically lost her life in an avalanche at the Arosa resort in the Swiss Alps on Monday, Switzerland’s skiing federation confirmed,” her post read.

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    Tallman further illustrated how Hediger frequented the resort and her sudden death has shaken the ski community to its core.  “⚠️ Hediger, who represented Switzerland at the 2022 Winter Olympics in the women’s snowboard cross and mixed team event, was a frequent rider at Arosa before her untimely passing. ⚠️ Federation CEO Walter Reusser expressed sorrow, saying, “Sophie Hediger’s tragic death casts a dark shadow over the Christmas holidays. We will honor her memory.” This devastating loss has shaken the Swiss skiing and snowboarding community.”

    Watch a clip of Hediger below:

    Note:  The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.