Latest news with #Norwegian Ski Federation
ABC News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Norwegian Olympic medallist Audun Grønvold dies after being struck by lightning
Olympic ski cross medallist Audun Grønvold has died after being struck by lightning. The Norwegian Ski Federation (NSF) confirmed Grønvold's death. He was 49. Grønvold won bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games. "It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Grønvold's untimely passing," an NSF statement read. "The former national alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip." The NSF said Grønvold was "quickly taken to hospital and received treatment for the injuries he sustained in the lightning strike" but died earlier this week. Grønvold was a member of Norway's alpine skiing team before he moved into freestyle and ski cross. He had one podium finish as a World Cup alpine skier, finishing third in a downhill event in Spain, in 1999. Grønvold also won bronze in ski cross at the 2005 world championships and at the overall World Cup in 2007. After his career ended, he became a national team coach and a TV commentator. "Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the Alpine and freestyle communities," NSF president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said. Dyrhaug said Grønvold's death created "a huge void". AP
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Olympic skier dies aged 49 after being struck by lightning
Olympic medallist Audun Groenvold has died after being struck by lightning. The 49-year-old Norwegian freestyle skier won bronze at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. The Sun reports his tragic passing was announced by the Norwegian Ski Federation. They confirmed Groenvold had been struck by lightning during a trip to a cabin owned by his family. He was rushed to hospital but passed away shortly after arriving on Tuesday night. Groenvold was a popular member of Norway's Alpine skiing team before he moved into freestyle and ski cross in the late 90s. He first broke onto the scene with an impressive podium finish in a downhill in Sierra Nevada, Spain, in 1999 as a World Cup Alpine skier. More success soon followed as he won a bronze medal in ski cross at the 2005 world championships. Two years later he again came third in the overall ski cross cup before his career best performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics. After his career ended, he became a national team coach and a beloved sports commentator. Norwegian federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said: 'Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the Alpine and freestyle communities. 'Audun had a great career in both alpine skiing and ski cross, before becoming the national ski cross coach. 'The Norwegian Ski Association also remembers his efforts on the ski board. There will be a big void after Audun.' Marius Arnesen, who coached Groenvold in the early 2000s, told local newspaper Verdens Gang: 'It's just terribly sad and tragic. '[He was] a thoughtful and wonderful boy who, when it comes to skiing, had a fantastic feeling for the surface in the snow.' Groenvold was born in Hamar, a lakeside town about 80 miles north of Norway's capital of Oslo. He is survived by his wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, and three children.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Olympic medalist skier Audun Groenvold dies aged 49 after being struck by lightning during family trip
OLYMPIC medalist Audun Groenvold has died after being struck by lightning. The 49-year-old Norwegian freestyle skier won bronze at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. 1 His tragic passing was announced by the Norwegian Ski Federation. They confirmed Groenvold had been struck by lightning during a trip to a cabin. He was rushed to hospital but passed away shortly after arriving on Tuesday night. Groenvold was a popular member of Norway's Alpine skiing team before he moved into freestyle and ski cross in the late 90s. He first broke onto the scene with an impressive podium finish in a downhill in Sierra Nevada, Spain, in 1999 as a World Cup Alpine skier. More success quickly followed as he won a bronze medal in ski cross at the 2005 world championships. Two years later he again came third in the overall ski cross cup. After his career ended, he became a national team coach and a TV commentator. Norwegian federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said: "Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the Alpine and freestyle communities."
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Olympic skiing hero dead at 49 after horrifying accident
Norwegian ski cross star Audun Groenvold has died after being struck by lightning at his cabin on Saturday. He was 49 years old. News outlet NRK in Norway reports that Groenvold died from his injuries that occurred three days prior. The Norwegian ski federation confirmed the news on their official website, remembering him as an 'outstanding athlete on the national alpine team for a number of years before becoming a pioneer in Norwegian freestyle and ski cross.' Federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said, 'Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities. 'Audun had a great career in both alpine skiing and ski cross, before becoming the national ski cross coach. The Norwegian Ski Association also remembers his efforts on the ski board. There will be a big void after Audun.' Groenvold leaves behind a wife and three children. His wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, posted a memorial on social media. 'Audun, my great love and my best friend for twenty years... today you left us,' she posted on Facebook. 'What started with a lovely summer vacation ended last Saturday with you being struck by lightning while we were out at our cabin. Although you quickly received treatment and were taken to hospital, you died from your injuries last night. 'Sanna, Selma, William and I will carry you with us in our hearts. The loss of you is enormous.' Groenvold was previously a member of the Norwegian Alpine skiing team, competing in the sport from the 1993/94 season up until the 2003/04 season. In addition to his third place finish at an FIS Alpine World Cup event in Spain in 1999 in the downhill, he won the national championship gold medal in the same competition in 2003 and 2004. He transitioned to ski cross - an Alpine-adjacent skiing discipline that incorporates terrain park features like banked turns and big-air jumps. It sets itself apart from other alpine racing by involving more than one skier at a time. A sport popularized by its appearance at the X Games since 1998, the FIS adopted it as a discipline in the Freestyle World Cup in 2004. Groenvold won the ski cross World Cup title in 2007. The sport became an Olympic event for the first time in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver - after the popularity of the snowboard version of the same discipline became an Olympic event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Groenvold competed in those games and won a Bronze medal behind Swiss skiier Michael Schmid in the Gold medal spot and Austrian Andreas Matt taking Silver. After Vancouver, Groenvold retired from competing in the sport. He continued to be in the sport as a coach for the national team. Groenvold also spent time as a TV commentator with NRK.
