SOELDEN, Austria, Jan. 5 (UPI) — Two U.S. Ski Team prospects died Monday in an avalanche in Soelden, Austria, the organization announced.
Ronnie Berlack, 20, of Franconia, N.H., and Bryce Astle, 19, of Sandy, Utah, were two of six skiers caught in the avalanche while they were free skiing on the 10,020-foot mountain Gaislachkogel. The other athletes were able to ski out of the slide.
Berlack and Astle were considered development-level skiers with the team.
“Ronnie and Bryce were both outstanding ski racers who were passionate about their sport – both on the race course and skiing the mountain,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Our hearts go out to the Berlack and Astle families, as well as to their extended sport family. Both of them loved what they did and conveyed that to those around them.”
Officials in Austria said an avalanche alert had been issued for the area after significant snowfall and mild temperatures.
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