Two prospective members of the U.S. Ski Team were killed Monday during a training run in Austria when they were unable to evade an avalanche.
Ronnie Berlack, 20, from New Hampshire, and Bryce Astle, 19, from Utah, were among a group of six skiers training near the Rettenbach glacier in preparation for the start of the World Cup season. The skiers apparently left the prepared slope, which incited the avalanche. The other four skiers were able to ski out of the slide and were not hurt.
The area had been on avalanche alert because of the treacherous combination of mild temperatures and heavy snowfall.
"Ronnie and Bryce were both outstanding ski racers who were passionate about their sport, both on the race course and skiing the mountain," U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw said in a statement. "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."
"It's a shock for everybody," U.S. Alpine director Patrick Riml told the Associated Press. "Two great boys, great athletes, good skiers. They were fun to have around. We are all in shock, still. It's very tragic."
Both skiers were experienced athletes who had posted strong finishes at the U.S. Alpine Championships in recent years. They were part of a 10-member developmental squad that would form the basis for future World Cup and Olympic skiing teams.
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