Line Øestvold, the first Norwegian snowboarder to win a World Cup event, died on Sept. 19 from injuries she sustained in a fall. She was 25.
The Haugsbygd, Norway native won three major titles in 2001 -- the world snowboardcross championship, the Norwegian championship and a gold medal at the X-Games. Øestvold retired after that season, but decided to make a comeback last year. In February, she earned the World Cup title in Berchtesgaden, Germany.
Øestvold, who was known for always wearing a helmet, landed on her head and neck during a practice run on Sept. 14 in Valle Nevado, Chile. After being treated at the scene, she was airlifted to a clinic in Santiago for further care. She never regained consciousness.
Posted on September 22, 2004 3:57 AM