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.
Audun Groenvold of Norway celebrates after taking third place in the men’s ski cross competition at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics[/caption]
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 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.
“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 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.
