Rising Team GB snowboarding star Ellie Soutter has died suddenly aged just 18

Rising Team GB snowboarding star Ellie Soutter has died suddenly aged just 18.

Team GB released a statement confirming the news on Thursday, a day after her 18th birthday.

The teenager, whose birthday was on Wednesday, was considered a rising star in the sport, having won bronze at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Turkey last year.

Her father paid tribute to his daughter on social media.

He said: “This cruel world took my Soul mate and "Bessie" from me yesterday on her 18th birthday.

“I was so proud of the beautiful young woman she had turned into. Ellie I will miss you more than you could have ever imagined. Rest in peace you little Champion!”

Soutter, who grew up in Surrey before moving to the Alps, was due to return to snowboard cross competition next month after being selected in the British team for the Junior World Championships in New Zealand.

She was also an inaugural member of the British Europa Cup snowboard cross programme, which got underway earlier this year.

The sportswoman had a promising career to look forward to and had been tipped for a place at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The statement said: “The British Olympic Association is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of snowboard cross athlete Ellie Soutter, 18.

“Ellie claimed Team GB’s only medal at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Erzurum, Turkey last year.

BOA Chair Hugh Robertson and BOA Athlete Commission Chair Ben Hawes described Ellie as an “incredibly popular and well-liked member of the team”.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.” 

British Ski & Snowboard, the governing body for snowsports in the UK, also shared a statement describing her as "one of the country’s best up-and-coming snowboarders, competing in both snowboard cross and freeride".

"A bronze medallist in snowboard cross at the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Erzurum, Turkey, Ellie claimed Team GB’s only medal of the event," the statement said.

"She spent the 2017/18 season competing on the Freeride Junior Tour, but was due to return to snowboard cross competition next month after being selected in the British team for the Junior World Championships in New Zealand. She was an inaugural member of the British Europa Cup snowboard cross programme which commenced earlier this year.

"The thoughts and condolences of the British Ski & Snowboard community are with Ellie’s family, friends and teammates."

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