American Kyle Smane, the 2015 world champion in acrobatic skiing, died in an avalanche late last week in Japan’s Nagano region. As reported by the EFE agency, his relatives made a tragic statement.

Kyle SmanePhoto: LISI NIESNER / AFP / Profimedia

Kyle Smane died in an avalanche

The US freestyle team confirmed the death of Smaine (31 years old) with a post on the Instagram social network, which was accompanied by a photo of the athlete.

“We have lost a person, a friend, a wonderful skier and teammate.” wrote the Federationat the same time expressing condolences to the relatives.

The skier’s wife, Jenna Dramis, also posted a farewell message on Instagram: “I am grateful to have married you and to have you in my life. You liked skiing more than anyone.”

Check out this Instagram post

A post shared by the US Freeski Team (@usfreeskiteam)

According to Nagano authorities, two people died during the avalanche, including Smaine.

Hailing from Apple Valley, USA, Kyle Smaine won the gold medal in freestyle skiing at the 2015 World Championships in Kreisberg, Austria. His last major competition took place three years later at the Mammoth Mountain World Cup, writes Agerpres.