Ski world champion dies in an avalanche accident: wife shares heartbreaking message

Kyle Smaine is dead. The former halfpipe world champion died in an avalanche in Japan.

His wife shared emotional parting words.

Tokyo – tragedy in Japan: Former ski freestyler and halfpipe world champion Kyle Smaine (31) from the USA died in an avalanche accident.

The US media report unanimously.

Smaine's wife Jenna Dramise has spoken heartbreakingly about her loss.

The couple had just married a few months ago.

Ski world champion Kyle Smaine dies in an avalanche accident: wife shares heartbreaking message

The widow of the passionate winter sports enthusiast wrote on Instagram, among other things: "I picked you up hitchhiking in New Zealand in 2010 and who would have thought that 13 years later we would get married.

The best damn years of my life.”

And further: "I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to marry you and have you in my life.

I can't wait to see you again.

Tonight, in my dreams, I hope to be able to ride powder snow or a bike with you.”

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jenna Dramise (@jennadramise)

Kyle Smaine's companion had to see everything

Grant Granderson, a photographer for Mountain Gazette magazine, was on the ski trip to Japan.

Smaine was "thrown 50 meters, buried and killed" by an avalanche, Granderson wrote on Instagram.

He had experienced his "absolute worst nightmare scenario".

According to the local police in Nagano, another man died in the accident in addition to Smaine, and a total of 13 people were caught in the avalanche that had fallen on a 2,100-meter mountain slope.

There was heavy snowfall in the area at the time of the accident.

The local authorities had therefore issued avalanche warnings.

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Kyle Smaine at his world title in 2015 (left) and dancing with his wife Jenna.

© IMAGO / ANP / Screenshot Instagram / Jenna Dramise

Kyle Smaine posted a video from Japan a few days before his death

Smaine had competed in FIS and AFP World Tour competitions since 2008.

The greatest success of his career came in January 2015 when he became world champion on the halfpipe at the Freestyle Skiing World Championships in Kreischberg (Austria).

A few days ago he had posted a video of a ride on Instagram.

He wrote: "This is what brings me back to Japan every winter."

Rubric list image: © IMAGO / ANP / Screenshot Instagram / Jenna Dramise