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Swiss Snowboarding Star Eliot Dänzer, 22, Dies in Eiger Avalanche

The rising freeride talent, known for his junior world title and near-qualification for the elite circuit, was one of two fatalities in the May 17 avalanche that also injured five others.

Lawinenunglück in der Schweiz (Archivfoto)
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Overview

  • Eliot Dänzer, a 22-year-old freeride snowboarding prodigy, was killed in a May 17 avalanche on the Eiger's West flank above Grindelwald-Wengen.
  • The avalanche struck at 13:45, affecting seven individuals; two, including Dänzer, died, while five others sustained injuries.
  • Dänzer, the 2019 junior world champion, had recently finished third in the FWT Challenger Series and was on the brink of Freeride World Tour qualification.
  • A large-scale rescue operation was conducted involving Swiss Alpine Rescue, Bern Cantonal Police, helicopters, and avalanche rescue dogs.
  • Tributes have poured in from the freeride community, with Nendaz Freeride and the Freeride World Tour honoring Dänzer's talent, humility, and passion, and expressing condolences to his family and partner.