Ellie Soutter, one of Britain’s most talented young snowboarders, died on her 18th birthday.
Soutter won a bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2017 Youth Olympic Winter Festival and carried the British flag at the closing ceremony.
Ellie Soutter
This month she was named in the senior GB squad for the snowboard cross Europa Cup circuit, and was tipped for a place at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
She had been training abroad in Europe, and died near her home in France.
Her father, Tony Soutter, said he was “so proud of the beautiful young woman she had turned into”.
He added: “This cruel world took my soul mate and ‘Bessie’ from me yesterday on her 18th birthday. Ellie I will miss you more than you could have ever imagined. Rest in peace you little champion.”
British Olympic Association chair Hugh Robertson and BOA Athlete Commission chair Ben Hawes said in a joint statement: “Ellie was an incredibly popular and well-liked member of the team.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”
The statement said Soutter was due to return to competition next month after being selected for the GB team for the Junior World Championships in New Zealand.
“Ellie was one of the country’s best up-and-coming snowboarders, competing in both snowboard cross and freeride,” British Ski and Snowboard said in a statement.
Team GB said Soutter grew up in Oxted, Surrey, before moving to the Alps, where she trained.
Nick Hope BBC News
State of Mind Sport would like to pass on our condolences and our thoughts are with family, friends and team mates of Ellie