An Olympic bronze medal snowboarder has died in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. The Swiss Ski Federation announced on Tuesday that Ueli Kestenholz died in the picturesque Lötschental valley on Sunday. The 50-year-old father of two represented his country at the 1998, 2002, and 2006 Winter Olympics, competing in the Games’ first-ever snowboarding event. In a statement, the federation said, “His life was far too short. Swiss-Ski and the snowboard community are devastated.” It added that it “extend[s] our deepest condolences to Ueli’s family and loved ones,” celebrating him as “among the pioneers at the Olympic premiere of snowboard cross in Turin in 2006.” It added, “After retiring from competitive sports in 2006, he remained a professional outdoor athlete—right up to his last breath. He was a freerider, speedrider, paraglider pilot, kitesurfer, skydiver, surfer, wingfoiler, mountain biker—a true crossover athlete.” In an interview with Tamedia two years ago, Kestenholz explained how he fell in love with the sport at the age of 14. “I skateboarded, I was a windsurfer, but I only skied in the winter, and on two planks. Snowboarding offered the opportunity to experience my favorite feeling, gliding sideways, even in winter.”
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