'Went far too soon': Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger killed in avalanche in Switzerland

Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died following an avalanche in Switzerland, the country's skiing federation has said.

Hediger, 26 and a member of Switzerland's snowboard cross team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, was in the mountain resort of Arosa when the incident occurred on Monday.

Hediger competed at the Beijing Games in the women's snowboard cross and the mixed team version of the same event.

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She achieved her first two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023-24 season. Her best result was a second place in St Moritz in January.

"We are shocked and our thoughts are with Sophie's family, to whom we offer our deepest condolences," said Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser in a statement.

Mr Reusser added Hediger grew up in Horgen, a town about 20 minutes by car from Zurich, and spent a lot of time in Arosa.

He said she lost her life "tragically, brutally and far too soon".

(c) Sky News 2024: 'Went far too soon': Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger killed in avalanche in Switzerland