How Olympic Skiing Hero, Audun Groenvold D!ed After Being Struck By Lightning

Olympic skiing champion Audun Groenvold has tragically died after being struck by lightning at his cabin on Saturday. He was 49 years old. News outlet NRK in Norway reports that Groenvold d!ed from his injuries that occurred three days prior. The Norwegian ski federation confirmed his death on their official website, remembering him as an ‘outstanding athlete on the national alpine team for a number of years before becoming a pioneer in Norwegian freestyle and ski cross.’ 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 leaves behind a wife and three children. His wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, posted a memorial on social media. ‘Audun, my great love and my best friend for twenty years… today you left us,’ she posted on Facebook. ‘What started with a lovely summer vacation ended last Saturday with you being struck by lightning while we were out at our cabin. Although you quickly received treatment and were taken to hospital, you died from your injuries last night. ‘Sanna, Selma, William, and I will carry you with us in our hearts. The loss of you is enormous.’ Groenvold was previously a member of the Norwegian Alpine skiing team, competing in the sport from the 1993/94 season up until the 2003/04 season. In addition to his third-place finish at an FIS Alpine World Cup event in Spain in 1999 in the downhill, he won the national championship gold medal in the same competition in 2003 and 2004.