Norwegian skier who won bronze in ski cross at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Audun Grønvold, has died after being struck by lightning. The Norwegian Ski Federation announced on Wednesday. He was 49.
Grønvold was injured during a cabin trip and, despite being rushed to the hospital for treatment, died on Tuesday night as a result of the injuries he sustained.
“It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Grønvold’s untimely passing,” the federation said in a statement. “The former national alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip.”
About Audun Grønvold
Grønvold began his career as an alpine skier and competed as a member of Norway’s national team. His best alpine result came in 1999, when he claimed a World Cup podium with a third-place finish in the downhill event at Sierra Nevada, Spain.
He later transitioned into freestyle skiing, specialising in ski cross, a move that brought him significant success and won a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships and took the overall ski cross World Cup title in 2007. He capped his career with a bronze medal at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, a historic moment for the Norwegian team.
Following his retirement from competition, he continued to contribute to the sport, serving as a national-team coach and working as a television commentator.
“Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities,” said Tove Moe Dyrhaug, president of the Norwegian Ski Federation. “His death has created a huge void.”
Grønvold is survived by his wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, and their three children. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Haugsjå described her husband as “my great love and my best friend for 20 years,” and said the accident had occurred while the family were on their summer holiday.
