Tragedy

Former Olympic bronze medallist Audun Grønvold has died at 49 after being struck by lightning during a cabin trip. The Norwegian freestyle skier, who won bronze in ski cross at the 2010 Winter Olympics, was taken to hospital but could not be saved. His death has shocked the skiing community.

Norwegian federation confirms death

The Norwegian Ski Federation confirmed the tragic news in a statement on Wednesday, 16 July. "It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Grønvold's untimely passing," they said. The former national alpine skier and ski cross athlete was struck by lightning during the trip.

Successful alpine career beginnings

Grønvold began his career as an alpine skier before transitioning to freestyle and ski cross. He achieved a notable third-place finish in a downhill race in Sierra Nevada, Spain, in 1999 as a World Cup alpine competitor. His versatility across disciplines made him a respected figure in Norwegian skiing.

World championship bronze medals

The skier won bronze medals in ski cross at the 2005 World Championships and claimed the ski cross cup two years later. These achievements, paired with his widely lauded technical skills, established him as one of Norway's leading freestyle competitors.

Olympic glory in Vancouver

Grønvold's career reached its peak at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he won bronze in ski cross. The medal represented the culmination of years of dedicated training and his successful transition from alpine to freestyle skiing. It remains his most celebrated achievement in the sport.

Coaching career after retirement

Following his competitive retirement, Grønvold worked as a coach for Norway's national ski team and also became a skiing commentator. His expertise and experience made him a valuable mentor for younger athletes. He remained deeply involved in the sport he loved throughout his post-competitive career.

Coach remembers "wonderful" athlete

Marius Arnesen, Grønvold's former coach, told local newspaper Verdens Gang, "It's just terribly sad and tragic." He described him as "a thoughtful and wonderful boy who, when it comes to skiing, had a fantastic feeling for the surface in the snow."

Tributes pour in nationwide

Tributes have poured in from across the Norwegian skiing community following news of Grønvold's death. Fellow athletes, coaches and officials have expressed their shock and sadness at the loss of such a respected figure. His contributions to both alpine and freestyle skiing are being widely remembered and celebrated.