Olympic Snowboard Pioneer Killed in Swiss Alps
The snowboarding community is in mourning following the tragic death of Swiss Olympic medallist Ueli Kestenholz. The 50-year-old former professional was killed after being trapped by an avalanche while snowboarding in Switzerland on Sunday. The Swiss ski federation confirmed the news on Tuesday.
A Historic Olympic Debut in Nagano
Kestenholz secured his place in sporting history by winning a bronze medal in the men's snowboard giant slalom at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. This event marked snowboarding's dramatic debut on the Olympic stage, a debut overshadowed by controversy surrounding the gold medallist. Canada's Ross Rebagliati initially faced disqualification after a positive test for cannabis, but successfully appealed to keep his title, making the race one of the most memorable stories of those Games.
Beyond his Olympic success, Kestenholz was a decorated and versatile athlete. He represented Switzerland at two further Winter Olympics and claimed the snowboardcross title twice at the prestigious X-Games. His career extended well beyond competition, maintaining a professional involvement in the world of extreme sports.
Details of the Avalanche Incident
The fatal incident occurred in the Lötschental valley within the Valais canton. According to a statement from Valais police, the avalanche was triggered at an altitude of approximately 2,400 metres (7,900 feet) for reasons still under investigation. Kestenholz was snowboarding with a friend, who was skiing at the time.
His companion managed to help him after he was buried by snow. Kestenholz was then airlifted by helicopter to hospital, initially to Visp and then to a larger facility in Sion, which is close to the resort of Crans-Montana. Despite these efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The snowboarding world has lost one of its pioneering figures, an athlete who helped define the sport's early Olympic era.
