Norwegian Olympic Ski Cross Medalist Audun Groenvold Dead After Lightning Strike

Audun Groenvold, the celebrated Norwegian ski cross athlete and Olympic bronze medalist, has died at the age of 49 after being struck by lightning during a cabin trip in the mountains of Norway. He was quickly taken to hospital and treated for the injuries he sustained in the lightning strike. Audun Grønvold passed away last night, aged just 49.

The incident occurred on July 12 while Groenvold was vacationing with his family. Despite receiving immediate medical attention and being transported to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on the evening of July 15. His wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, calling him “my great love and my best friend for twenty years” and describing the loss as “enormous”1.

Groenvold began his career in alpine skiing, representing Norway from 1993 to 2003. He transitioned to ski cross in the mid-2000s, quickly rising to prominence in the sport. He won the overall Ski Cross World Cup in 2007 and earned a bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the sport’s Olympic debut.

After retiring from competition, Groenvold remained deeply involved in skiing as a national team coach, federation board member, and TV commentator at NRK. Norwegian Ski Federation President Tove Moe Dyrhaug said "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. There will be a big void after Audun".

Tributes have poured in from across Norway’s sporting world, with former teammates and coaches remembering Groenvold as a “thoughtful and wonderful” athlete with an extraordinary feel for snow and terrain. He is survived by his wife and three children.

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 skier 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 Vancouver Winter Olympics, a bronze at the World Championships and, not least, victory in the overall ski cross cup in 2007.

Audun took responsibility for the development of the ski sport 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 the sport of skiing both as an active player, coach and leader.Audun Groenvold will be remembered not only for his impressive athletic achievements but also for his enduring dedication to the sport and his contributions as a mentor and voice for skiing in Norway.