Estelle Balet, 21-Year-Old Snowboard Champion, Killed in Avalanche

Estelle Balet, the world champion Swiss snowboarder, was killed in an avalanche on April 19 while making a film in Switzerland.
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Estelle Balet, 21-Year-Old Snowboard Champion, Killed in Avalanche
A picture taken on April 2, 2016 shows World champion Switzerland's Estelle Balet celebrating after she won the women's snowboard event at the Bec des Rosses during the Verbier Xtreme Freeride World Tour final above the Swiss Alps resort of Verbier. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
4/19/2016
Updated:
4/20/2016

Estelle Balet, the two-time world champion Swiss snowboarder, was killed in an avalanche on April 19 while making a film in Switzerland.

Officials say 21-year-old Balet was hit by a snow slide in Orsieres, near Switzerland’s southern border with France and Italy. She was following another snowboarder who was not caught in the avalanche.

Valais authorities said rescuers were able to free her, since she was wearing special safety equipment, but she died at the scene. The incident is under investigation.

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