Audun Grønvold passed away after being struck by lightning. Photo: Instagram
The Norwegian snowsport community lost a prominent figure this week. As the Associated Press reports, Olympic medalist skier Audun Grønvold has passed away after he was struck by lighting.
Grønvold, 49, was a trailblazer in the world of freestyle and ski cross and a major presence in the Norwegian ski community. Before transitioning to freestyle and ski cross, he was a member of Norway’s Alpine skiing team. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, he won bronze in the men’s ski cross event. After his career came to a close, he became a national team coach and a TV commentator.
“It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Grønvold’s untimely passing,” wrote the Norwegian ski federation in a statement on Wednesday. “The former national alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip.”
The federation elaborated that, after the strike, Grønvold was promptly transported to a hospital and treated for his injuries, but died on Tuesday night.
“Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the Alpine and freestyle communities,” Norwegian ski federation president, Tove Moe Dyrhaug, told the Associated Press.