Confusion about world champion: Ski star buried one meter deep by avalanche?
Obertauern (Austria) - Shocking news made the rounds late Wednesday evening: Slalom World Champion in Alpine Skiing , Ivica Kostelić (45), is said to have been buried one meter deep by an avalanche .
The Salzburger Nachrichten reported that the Croatian and a companion were freeriding (skiing in open terrain) in the Gamsspitzl area in Obertauern at 1 p.m. when an avalanche suddenly occurred.
When the rescue services arrived, the 30-year-old Austrian companion of the skiing legend was in the process of digging the Croatian out. The two men then skied down into the valley on their own.
In the evening, however, Kostelić took to Instagram himself and explained: "I was in the pool with the children when the strange news came to me and they were all very upset," he began his post.
"Today I was a direct witness to an avalanche in Austria where to my knowledge no one was hurt and I gave my information like any citizen in the proceedings after such an event. I guess that's how my name got into the news," he explained.
Ivica Kostelić recently caused a stir when he got into distress on a kayak tour
It is not yet known whether it was a coincidence that the buried victim is also 45 years old and from Croatia.
Several sources confirmed to the Salzburger Nachrichten that the buried victim was Ivica Kostelić.
He was not the only one to leave his mark on alpine skiing, but above all his sister Janica Kostelić (43). With four gold medals and two silver, she is still the most successful alpine ski racer in the history of the Winter Olympics . She also celebrated 30 World Cup victories.
Just recently, her brother caused a stir when he got into distress during a kayak tour in Montenegro.
It was only with the help of boats and a military helicopter that he and his passenger were brought ashore.