Featured Image: Audun Grønvold of Norway at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Credit: GEPA
Lightning struck Olympian Audun Grønvold, a strong competitor in alpine ski racing and, more recently, ski cross, on Tuesday, July 15th, and he died in a hospital afterward.
The Norwegian Federation announced Wednesday, “It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Groenvold’s untimely passing.” They continued, “The former national Alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip.”
The 49-year-old spent a decade on the Alpine Norway National Team from the 1994 season to 2004. During this time he earned a podium result in a World Cup Downhill in Sierra Nevada, Spain. He also succeeded in multiple victories in the National Junior Championships, National Championships, and the Europe Cup Circuit.
After his alpine success, he made a mark in the ski cross world. He earned a bronze medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, a 3rd-place on the World Cup Circuit, and the overall Ski Cross Cup in 2007.
After his exceptional career in both sports, he dedicated his time to developing the sport and the athletes competing in it. Audun coached for the national team and put in time on the ski board. He demonstrated unwavering dedication to skiing, both in his roles as a coach and a leader.
The Norwegian Federation stated in a post, “Norwegian skiing has lost a significant figure, which has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle environments. Audun had a great career in both alpine and ski cross before becoming the coach of the national team in ski cross.”
The team at Ski Racing Media extends our deepest condolences to Audun’s family, teammates, peers, colleagues, the Norwegian Ski Federation, and all who knew and admired him.
Information pulled from ESPN and Alpine Norway
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
