Ueli Kestenholz dead: First Olympic snowboarding medalist dies in avalanche age 50
Olympic snowboarding medalist Ueli Kestenholz has died age of 50 after being caught in an avalanche.
The Swiss athlete, who won bronze at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, was killed on Sunday in the Lotschental valley. He was snowboarding with a friend when the avalanche occurred.
Kestenholz was airlifted to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.
A spokesperson for the Swiss Ski Federation described him as a “true crossover athlete”, having played many other high-octane sports during his life.
They said: “His life was far too short. Swiss-Ski and the snowboard community are devastated. Ueli didn’t just love snowboarding in all its facets.
“After retiring from competitive sport in 2006, he remained a professional outdoor athlete right up to his last breath. He was a freerider, speedrider, paraglider pilot, kitesurfer, skydiver, surfer, wingfoiler and mountain biker - a true crossover athlete.”
Swiss-Ski president Peter Barandun added: “We extend our deepest condolences to Ueli’s family and loved ones.”
Kestenholz represented Switzerland at the first Olympic snowboarding event at the 1998 Games, where he finished third in the parallel giant slalom. His bronze medal was the first Olympic medal handed out in the sport’s history.