Norwegian Olympic Ski Medalist Audun Groenvold Dies Aged 49 After Lightning Strike

Olympic ski cross medalist and former Norwegian alpine skier Audun Groenvold has died at age 49 after being struck by lightning during a family cabin trip. Groenvold was quickly hospitalized and treated but succumbed to his injuries several days after the incident. He earned a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and had notable achievements including a World Cup podium finish in alpine skiing, a bronze at the 2005 ski cross world championships, and winning the overall ski cross cup in 2007. After retiring from competition, Groenvold served as a national team coach, TV commentator, and contributed to ski sport development through leadership roles. The Norwegian Ski Federation and community mourn his loss, describing him as a prominent figure in both alpine and freestyle skiing whose passing leaves a significant void. He is survived by his wife and three children. Separately, another tragic lightning strike incident occurred at a golf course in Hardyston, New Jersey, where young golfer Simon John Mariani died after reportedly inadequate storm warnings, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in outdoor sports.