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.

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