Swedish professional extreme skier dies in Chile avalanche
A professional extreme skier from Sweden died in an avalanche in Chile, according to multiple reports.
Matilda Rapaport was caught in an avalanche in the Andes mountains near the capital city Santiago while filming a scene, her sponsor Red Bull said in a statement.
The company said intensive efforts to save the 30-year-old after the accident failed, and she died despite medical treatment. Freeskier.com reports Rapaport was in a coma before passing away due to complications from a lack of oxygen while buried in the snow.
Rapaport had posted photos and videos from Chile to social media before the accident.
Of Rapaport's many professional accomplishments, Freeskier.com writes: "Rapaport was a successful big-mountain skier who made her mark all over the world; her accolades include many noteworthy results on the Freeride World Tour: 2nd at Haines, Alaska in 2016; 3rd at Chamonix Mont-Blanc in 2016; 2nd at Chamonix in 2014; 1st at Verbier Xtreme in 2013. Rapaport also spent much time working with esteemed film production companies including Shades of Winter; the group is set to release its latest filmBetween this October. That film will feature some of the world's best female skiers--including Rapaport--and other female extreme sports athletes."
Red Bull said Rapaport had recently married her long-time boyfriend, Mattias Hargin, a professional Alpine ski racer.
After news of her death spread, tributes poured in from the extreme sports community on social media.