17-year-old Canterbury champion skier dies in Austrian avalanche
Photo: Supplied
A Canterbury teenage champion skier has died in an avalanche in Austria over the weekend.
The avalanche occurred in Zillertal, located in the west of Austria.
17-year-old Will Cookson, a German man in his 50s, and a 32-year-old Chinese man were found dead on Saturday.
On Sunday, authorities recovered the body of a 59-year-old man buried while using his tractor to help with the snow removal.
Over the past two days, heavy snowfall and wind have increased the avalanche danger, with officials warning winter sports enthusiasts to exercise caution.
His brother paid tribute to Will saying “completely lost for words, a fine young man taken way too soon, you will always be in our hearts Will.
Was a pleasure to grow up skiing with you, watching you shred right to the end. Fly high and rest in peace.”
Cookson grew up on a Mid-Canterbury farm and began competing at aged 9.
Mt Olympus Freeride team collecting their bibs for the Freeride Junior Tour in Les Arcs, France. Photo: Ruby Hewitt, Will Cookson. Sam Hewitt and Joe Cookson. Credit: Mt Olympus
Will was part of the Christchurch Boy’s High School Snow Sports team since 2019 and competed at Canterbury and South Island Championships.
His school described Will as “an outstanding skier” and as a junior was presented the Prebble Cup as the school’s premier snowsports competitor.
In 2021 Will was a member of the winning CBHS Team that competed in the South Island Slopestyle Championships, taking an individual bronze in the event.
He was also crowned overall New Zealand U16 champion after competing in the NZ Junior Freeride Nationals at the Remarkables and Mt Olympus ski fields.
Last year, Will competed at the Mount Olympus Freeride Open and won the U18 division, and was awarded his Gold Blazer for skiing in 2022.
“Having podiumed in South Island events, 17-year-old pushed himself to be the best with a heavy gym and running schedule to keep in top condition” his bio read on a youth charity website.
He was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs.
In an Instagram post, the talented teenager captured his skills in a video, which was dated January 29th .
