Sophie Hediger dead aged 26: Olympic snowboarder passes away after being caught in avalanche as tributes paid

OLYMPIC snowboarder Sophie Hediger has tragically died aged 26.

Hediger passed away on Monday after being caught up in an avalanche at Swiss mountain resort Arosa.

She had been a member of Switzerland's snowboard cross national team.

Hediger was part of the Swiss squad that took part in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

And she also achieved her first two World Cup podium positions during the 2023-24 season.

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."

The 2025 FIS Snowboard World Championships are set to take place in St Moritz in March.

Hediger had finished second in an event at St Moritz back in January.

She was in a relationship with Swiss ice hockey player Dario Wuthrich.

His club, HC Ambri Piotta, posted an emotional tribute to Hediger.

They wrote on X: "The Ambrì-Piotta Hockey Club joins defender Dario Wuthrich in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of his beloved partner Sophie.

"Our most sincere condolences to Sophie's family and Dario and a big hug from the whole white and blue family."

Swiss Olympic medal-winning snowboarder Jan Scherrer wrote on Instagram: "This breaks my heart. We will remember you Sophie.

"Be safe out there guys!"

And plenty of fans have also taken to social media to pay their respects.

One wrote: "Terrible. My condolences to the family."

While a second commented: "This is truly heartbreaking."

A third said: "May she rest in peace."

And another added: "Praying for the family."