U.S. world champion freestyle skier Kyle Smaine dies in avalanche in Japan
U.S. skilled freestyle skier Kyle Smaine was considered one of two males killed in an avalanche on Sunday whereas snowboarding in Japan. He was 31 years outdated.
Police confirmed to Reuters that the 2 males who died have been amongst 5 caught within the avalanche whereas backcountry snowboarding on Mount Hakuba Norikura within the Nagano prefecture, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Rescue staff discovered their our bodies throughout a search on Monday, the Japan Times reports. Per the report, the opposite three folks within the occasion survived. Authorities had issued an avalanche warning for the world after heavy snowfall.
The U.S. ski staff confirmed Smaine’s death in a statement on Instagram. The id of the second man killed was not reported or launched.
“At this time we misplaced an unbelievable individual, good friend, skier and teammate to the mountains,” the assertion reads. “Kyle Smaine was a World Champion freeskier, liked exploring the mountains, was a fierce competitor however a fair higher individual and good friend. We, together with so many others, ship our love and luxury to his household, mates and group.”
Smaine’s father William Smaine additionally confirmed his death to NBC News. Smaine’s spouse Jenna Dramise posted a tribute to her late husband on Instagram Monday.
Smaine posted video of a ski run within the hours earlier than his loss of life alongside a message about his journey.
“That is what brings me again to Japan every winter,” Smaine wrote. “Unbelievable snow high quality, continuous storms, and actually enjoyable terrain that appears to get higher then extra exploring you do.”
Tributes poured into the feedback part Smaine’s put up in addition to these asserting his loss of life.
Smaine was a resident of Lake Tahoe, California. He gained a gold medal on the halfpipe on the 2015 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Austria.