The Swiss snowboarder and double Freeride World Tour champion Estelle Balet has been killed in an avalanche in the Alps, according to local police reports.
Balet was riding a face near the resort of Orsieres in Switzerland when she triggered a massive avalanche. Rescue teams received a call at around 8am this morning, but although they arrived on the scene quickly, they couldn’t revive the young world champion.
Balet, who was just 21-years-old, was apparently wearing an avalanche beacon and an airbag as well as a helmet. Apparently another rider had dropped into the face before her and ridden it safely.
“Balet was one of the brightest talents in freeriding, with two world tour titles under her belt.”
Despite her youth, Balet was one of the brightest talents in freeriding. She won the Freeride World Tour for the first time last season and just a few weeks ago was celebrating a first place at the prestigious Verbier Xtreme, a win that gave her a second consecutive title.
She was filming for a new movie project when the avalanche happened.
Tributes have begun pouring in from fellow pros and people in the snowboard industry as the news spreads. The Freeride World Tour site is given over to a tribute which describes Estelle as “shining star” and the tour tweeted:
Our thoughts are with the family & friends of Estelle Balet as we send our deepest sympathy and condolences during this very difficult time
— Freeride World Tour (@FreerideWTour) April 19, 2016
Hayley Edmonds, a commentator, TV presenter and snowboard journalist based in France wrote:
A photo posted by Hayley Edmonds (@hayleyedmonds) on
Mpora’s sister title Whitelines Snowboarding meanwhile described the young rider as: “A phenomenal talent who always found the fun in snowboarding,” adding “Estelle will be sorely missed”.
Our thoughts are with Estelle’s friends and family.