Audun Groenvold, a celebrated Norwegian skier and bronze medalist in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, tragically passed away this week after being struck by lightning during a trip to a cabin, as announced by the Norwegian Ski Federation on Wednesday. At the age of 49, Groenvold was taken to the hospital following the accident but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Tove Moe Dyrhaug, the president of the Norwegian Ski Federation, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities. There will be a big void after Audun.” Known as a trailblazer in Norwegian freestyle and ski cross, he captured the bronze medal in men’s ski cross at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Previously, Groenvold was part of the national Alpine ski team before transitioning to freestyle skiing and ski cross. His achievements include a podium finish in the World Cup Alpine event—placing third in a downhill race in Sierra Nevada, Spain, in 1999—as well as a bronze medal in ski cross at the 2005 World Championships and winning the overall ski cross cup in 2007. After retiring from competitive skiing, Groenvold took on the role of national team coach and worked as a television commentator.
Reflecting on Groenvold's career, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation noted that he decided to step back from active competition post-2010 because of health issues including knee, elbow, and neck injuries. His wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, took to Facebook to mourn the loss of “my great love and my best friend for twenty years,” sharing the heart-wrenching news that their trip began joyfully but ended in tragedy. She lamented, “The loss of you is enormous.” Groenvold is survived by his wife and their three children, who are all grieving this profound loss.
Tove Moe Dyrhaug, the president of the Norwegian Ski Federation, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities. There will be a big void after Audun.” Known as a trailblazer in Norwegian freestyle and ski cross, he captured the bronze medal in men’s ski cross at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Previously, Groenvold was part of the national Alpine ski team before transitioning to freestyle skiing and ski cross. His achievements include a podium finish in the World Cup Alpine event—placing third in a downhill race in Sierra Nevada, Spain, in 1999—as well as a bronze medal in ski cross at the 2005 World Championships and winning the overall ski cross cup in 2007. After retiring from competitive skiing, Groenvold took on the role of national team coach and worked as a television commentator.
Reflecting on Groenvold's career, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation noted that he decided to step back from active competition post-2010 because of health issues including knee, elbow, and neck injuries. His wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, took to Facebook to mourn the loss of “my great love and my best friend for twenty years,” sharing the heart-wrenching news that their trip began joyfully but ended in tragedy. She lamented, “The loss of you is enormous.” Groenvold is survived by his wife and their three children, who are all grieving this profound loss.
