Two US Ski Team ski racers were killed this morning in an avalanche in Solden, Austria.
Killed in the avalanche were Ronnie Berlack, 20, of Franconia, N.H., and Burke Mountain, Vt., and Bryce Astle, 19, of Sandy, Utah.
The two promising development level ski racers were among a group of six athletes freeskiing at the Austrian resort. The other four skied out of the slide and were not injured.
“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.”
Information on services is pending.
ATHLETE INFORMATION
Ronnie Berlack
Franconia, NH/Burke Mountain, VTRonnie Berlack
Burke Mountain Academy
Birthdate: Apr. 21, 1994 (20)
New Hampshire native Ronnie Berlack, 20, earned a spot on the U.S. Ski Team’s Development Team following a spring 2013 tryout camp at Mammoth Mountain. He was a graduate of Vermont’s Burke Mountain Academy. He had finished 11th in downhill and 17th in super G at the 2013 U.S. Alpine Championships in Squaw Valley, Calif.. He was off to a strong season last year before suffering a knee injury in January. He had come back this summer competing in South American Cup races in Chile and in NorAm and FIS races last month in Canada. He also foreran the Beaver Creek men’s World Cup speed races.
Bryce Astle
Sandy, UT
Snowbird Ski team
Birthdate: Jan. 16, 1995 (19)
Utah’s Bryce Astle, 19, grew up racing with the Snowbird Ski Team. He was 13th in giant slalom at the U.S. Alpine Championships in Squaw Valley last March, finishing as the top junior. He had been invited to train with the development team this season. He posted strong results in South American Cup races in Chile this summer, and was coming off a pair of top-10 slalom and giant slalom NorAm Cup finishes in Canada last month where he was on the junior podium in all but two events.
Release courtesy of USSA