Skiing medalist Groenvold dies of lightning strike

OSLO, Norway -- Olympic skis transverse medalist Audun Groenvold has died aft being struck by lightning, the Norwegian skis federation announced Wednesday. He was 49.

Groenvold won bronze astatine the 2010 Vancouver Games.

"It is with large sadness that we person received the quality of Audun Groenvold's untimely passing," the federation said. "The erstwhile nationalist Alpine skier and skis transverse jock was precocious struck by lightning during a compartment trip."

The federation said Groenvold was "quickly taken to infirmary and received attraction for the injuries helium sustained successful the lightning strike" and past died Tuesday night.

Groenvold was a subordinate of Norway's Alpine skiing squad earlier helium moved into freestyle and skis cross. He had 1 podium decorativeness arsenic a World Cup Alpine skier, finishing 3rd successful a downhill successful Sierra Nevada, Spain, successful 1999.

He besides won a bronze medal successful skis transverse astatine the 2005 satellite championships, and the wide skis transverse cupful successful 2007.

After his vocation ended, helium became a nationalist squad manager and a TV commentator.

"Norwegian skiing has mislaid a salient figure, who has meant truthful overmuch to some the Alpine and freestyle communities," federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said, adding that his passing creates "a immense void."