PRISTINA, Kosovo — Catherine Rigby, a famend telemark, massive mountain, and expedition skier overlaying first descents of among the world’s most revered peaks, died in an avalanche in a Kosovo resort. She was 54.
Her fiancée Magnis Wofe Murray mentioned in a message response in Fb that Rigby, often called Kasha, died on Feb. 13 at Brezovica mountain resort in Kosovo, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the capital Pristina.
Kasha, a resident in Utah, United States, was snowboarding out of the vacationer lanes when an avalanche hit her, in accordance with police, who declined to offer title and different particulars. Kasha didn’t survive regardless of Murray’s quick CPR and the rescuers’ medical help later.
Search and rescue personnel mentioned they discovered Kasha, who had dropped in on the prime of the run, was swept right into a pine tree from a small avalanche within the “Eagle’s Nest” space, recognized for its avalanche dangers.
Rigby, thought-about among the finest feminine telemark skiers on the planet and had featured in a number of films, was in Kosovo with the Tour de Piste, a undertaking made up of skilled skiers to navigate uncharted ski runs at well-liked areas.
The State Division additionally confirmed her loss of life, not giving her title or extra particulars “out of respect to the household throughout this tough time.” They’re offering acceptable consular help for her transport again residence after the investigation from the native authorities.
“We had been to be married in September. Now I’m widowed and devastated,” Murray mentioned on Saturday.
Rigby was born in Stowe, Vermont, in 1970. Throughout her childhood, she grew to become a telemark skier.
Telemark snowboarding is a mixture of Alpine and Nordic snowboarding when the athlete bend their knees each time they’ve to show. The heel is hooked up to the entrance of the binding by a hinged cable.
She has competed in telemark racing and extreme-skiing competitions within the U.S., Canada, South America, New Zealand, Russia, Asia, Europe, India, and the Center East. She skied the best peak in Siberia, Kyrgyzstan, China, and the Mongolian 5 Holy Peaks.
She is one among three American ladies to ski an 8000m peak within the Himalayas.
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