Monday turned deadly as two young but
promising US skiers died in an avalanche in the Austrian Alps slopes where they
were training for an international competition.
Ronnie Berlack, 20, of
Franconia, N.H., and Bryce Astle, 19, of Sandy, Utah, died in the incident.
Four other skiers who were practicing with them managed to ski out of the
bourgeoning mass and emerged unhurt.
The skiers were
descending from the 3,056 meter Gaislachkogel when they left the prepared slope
and apparently set off the avalanche. Officials in the Tyrolean region said an
avalanche alert
had been declared for the area after days of heavy snowfall and mild temperatures.
The US Ski and
Snowboard Association president reacting to the news of their death said that
the two deceased skiers were outstanding and passionate about the sport.
“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,” he said.
Astle once wrote: “I
have an engraved passion in skiing that will last the rest of my life,” saying
that he was on the verge of greatness.
Patrick Riml of the US
Ski Team said that the death of the boys left the body in shock. According to
him, they were among the eight boys who were the future of the US Ski.
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