Team GB snowboarder dies on her 18th birthday
TRIBUTES have been paid to Team GB snowboarder Ellie Soutter, who died on her 18th birthday.
British Olympic Association chairman Hugh Robertson and Athlete Commission chairman Ben Hawes described Miss Soutter as ‘an incredibly popular and well-liked member of the team’.
Miss Soutter, who grew up in Surrey, last year won Team GB’s only medal at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Turkey, claiming a bronze in the snowboard cross.
Team GB said: ‘The British Olympic Association is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of snowboard cross athlete Ellie Soutter, aged 18. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.’
No further details have
been released about her death. ‘Ellie was one of the country’s best up-andcoming snowboarders,’ British Ski and Snowboard said, adding that she was due to return to competition at next month’s Junior World Championships in New Zealand. Writing on Facebook, Miss Soutter’s father, Tony, said he was ‘so proud of the beautiful young woman she had turned into’.
He added: ‘This cruel world took my soulmate and “Bessie” from me yesterday on her 18th birthday. Ellie, I will miss you.’