Swiss snowboard champion, Estelle Balet, dies in avalanche

The 21-year-old Swiss snowboard champion, Estelle Balet, died in an avalanche on Tuesday 19th of April, 2016. Estelle, who became the youngest to have ever become Champion of the Freeride World Tour last year, brought home her second World Champion title a few weeks ago.

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Balet was filming over the village of Orsieres in the Swiss Alps when the fatal accident happened. As per police reports, the Swiss Champion was wearing all appropriate safety equipment, including a special device to help locate her (in case an avalanche struck). The deceased athlete was freed by the time help arrived at the spot but “despite immediate efforts to revive her, she died at the scene”, police reported. The authorities are investigating the circumstances under which the accident happened.

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Freeride World Tour , the international extreme snowboarding event, mentioned among other in a statement: “”Estelle Balet was a naturally gifted shining star and demonstrated remarkable talent… bringing home her second title as World Champion just a few weeks ago in Verbier.”