Olympic medal-winning snowboarder Kestenholz killed in avalanche
Ueli Kestenholz, a bronze medalist at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games, lost his life after being trapped in an avalanche.
Ueli Kestenholz, a Swiss snowboarder who claimed giant slalom bronze at the 1998 Winter Olympics, has died from injuries sustained after being buried by an avalanche, according to the Swiss Ski Federation.
At the time of the tragedy, Kestenholz was snowboarding with a friend in the Lötschental valley in the canton of Valais, southwestern Switzerland.
The avalanche originated at an altitude of 2,400 meters for reasons still unknown, according to a statement from Valais police.
Kestenholz was trapped under the snow and rescued before being airlifted to a hospital - first in Visp and later in Sion - where he ultimately passed away.
A three-time Olympian
After finishing on the podium in Nagano, the 50-year-old competed in two additional Winter Olympics, won two snowboard cross titles at the X Games, and later continued his career in extreme sports.
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