Sophie Hediger died in an accident. © Instagram

Young snowboarder dead: "It breaks my heart"

It is a tragedy that has hit winter sports hard: Swiss athlete Sophie Hediger was killed at the age of 26. The sporting world was shocked.

25 December 2024

From: det

Sadness, dismay and the question of why: The death of the young star snowboarder Sophie Hediger has caused great consternation in the winter sports world. The 26-year-old Swiss woman died in an avalanche accident in Arosa on Monday, the day before Christmas Eve. Hediger was out freeriding with friends and when she left the piste, she was caught in an avalanche and fatally injured.

Hediger was a gifted snowboard crosser who had her big breakthrough in 2024. In January and February she raced onto the World Cup podium twice and had reached the top of the world. But now the Swiss woman has been torn from life - and leaves a huge gap not only in her family, but also in the winter sports world.

The colleagues are stunned

"This breaks my heart. We will always remember you, Sophie," wrote her snowboard colleague Jan Scherrer on Instagram. He appealed to his fans: "Be careful out there." Another snowboard colleague, Dario Caviezel, got in touch. "Ciao Sophie. Much too early and incredibly sad," said the reigning vice world champion in parallel giant slalom. Swiss skier Aline Danioth was also deeply affected. "Go in peace," she wrote alongside a photo with Hediger.

Aline Danioth (right) says goodbye to her friend.

Italy's snowboard cross star Michela Moioli also said an emotional goodbye. "Have a good trip, Sophie! Watch over us all," the Olympic champion wrote in an Instagram story.

The Swiss woman who died in the accident was in a relationship with ice hockey player Dario Wüthrich. His club, HC Ambrì-Piotta, issued a statement. "We mourn with Dario Wüthrich and share in the sudden and tragic death of his girlfriend. Our sincere condolences and a big hug to Sophie's family and to Dario."