Julie Pomagalski - Olympian, snowboard world champion

Julie Pomagalski, a two-time Olympian for France in snowboarding and former world champion, died in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps on May 9. She was 40. 

Pomagalski was with a group of four freeriding on Gemsstock Mountain, near Andermatt, Switzerland. A second member of the party was also killed.

Born in La Tronche, France, and then a resident of Méribel, Pomagalski competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and in the 2006 Turin Games. She finished sixth in parallel giant slalom in both Olympics.

Pomagalski won a gold medal in snowboardcross at the 1999 World Championships, and a silver medal in parallel giant slalom at the 2003 Worlds. She was the granddaughter of Jean Pomagalski, founder of the Poma ski lift company.