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Tragedy claims the life of Norway's Audun Groenwold

Jul 16, 2025·Ski Cross
The late Audun Goenvold (NOR) © GEPA Pictures
The late Audun Goenvold (NOR) © GEPA Pictures

Olympic bronze medallist, World Championships bronze medallist, and 2006/07 crystal globe-winning ski cross racer and alpine racer Audun Groenvold of Norway has passed away at age 49 due to injuries suffered from a lightning strike, according to the Norwegian Ski Association. 

From the Norwegian Ski Association press release:

Audun Grønvold was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip. He was quickly taken to hospital and received treatment for the injuries he sustained in the lightning strike. Last night the former national alpine and ski cross athlete passed away, only 49 years old. 

Audun was an outstanding athlete on the national alpine team for a number of years before becoming a pioneer in Norwegian freestyle and ski cross. 

He was a national alpine athlete from the 1993/94 to the 2003/04 season. He would later make a strong mark in ski cross, with a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, a bronze at the 2005 World Championships and, not least, winner of the ski cross Crystal Globe in 2007. 

Audun took responsibility for the development of skiing after his active career. He has been both a national team coach and a member of the ski board. He showed a burning commitment to skiing both as an active participant, coach and leader. His good communication skills were also evident as he featured as an expert for NRK on television. 

Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities. Audun had a great career in both alpine skiing and ski cross, before becoming the national ski cross coach. The Norwegian Ski Association also remembers his efforts on the ski board. 

“Audun’s passing leaves a huge void in Norwegian skiing,” says ski president Tove Moe Dyrhaug, “Our thoughts go out to Audun's family, friends and everyone who was close to him.”

FIS extends our heartfelt sympathies to Audun Groenvold’s friends, family, teammates and colleagues inside and outside of skiing and mourns the tragic loss of a great competitor and exceptional individual. 

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