{"id":24911,"date":"2023-01-30T17:55:58","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T17:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fusefornews.com\/2023\/01\/30\/kyle-smaine-us-freestyle-skier-dies-aged-31-in-avalanche-in-japan\/"},"modified":"2023-01-30T17:55:58","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T17:55:58","slug":"kyle-smaine-us-freestyle-skier-dies-aged-31-in-avalanche-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fusefornews.com\/?p=24911","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Smaine: US freestyle skier dies aged 31 in avalanche in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Kyle Smaine was skiing on the 2,469m Mount Hakuba Norikura when he died<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former US world champion freestyle skier Kyle Smaine has died in an avalanche, his family have confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Smaine, 31, was one of two skiers killed on the east slope of Mount Hakuba Norikura in Japan, when the incident happened on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

His father, William Smaine, <\/span>confirmed to NBC News<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a> on Monday that his son had died in the incident.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Today we lost an incredible person, friend, skier and team-mate to the mountains,” <\/span>the US Freeski Team said.<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

“Smaine loved exploring the mountains, was a fierce competitor but an even better person and friend.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2015 World Championships halfpipe gold medallist was in Japan on a marketing trip for Ikon Pass and Nagano Tourism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese authorities confirmed five men<\/span><\/a> from the US and Austria had been caught in the avalanche but three of the skiers were able to safely make it down the mountain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smaine’s wife Jenna Dramise wrote in a post on <\/span>Instagram<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a>: “Dear husband and my whole world, officially married November 18, 2022, which not many people knew about. I’m so incredibly thankful that I got to marry you and have you in my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

“You loved skiing more then anyone I’ve ever met. I know you had the best runs in your life out there in Japan and could never blame you for doing what you loved. I can’t wait to see you again.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The identity of the Austrian skier who died is unknown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fellow American skier Adam U was one of the five men involved and was buried 1.5m deep for approximately 25 minutes, before being rescued.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking to <\/span>Mountain Gazette<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a>, U said: “We saw it coming, we heard the crack and we realised it is a big one. We started running and then we got hit.” <\/span><\/p>\n

The weather authorities had issued an avalanche warning for the area after days of heavy snowfall and record cold temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n