Team GB snowboarder Ellie Soutter – a rising star of the sport tipped to be a future Olympic champion – died on her eighteenth birthday yesterday, her family confirmed.
Miss Soutter was chasing her dream of competing in the Team GB squad in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, when she died ‘suddenly’.
The talented teenager from Surrey, who was a specialist in the Freeride and Boardercross disciplines was due to return to snowboard cross competitions next month.
As a youth Olympian she claimed Team GB’s only medal at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Turkey, last year.
She died in the UK, although the circumstances surrounding her death are yet to be confirmed.
Her heartbroken father, who she lived with in the French Alps, paid tribute to the young star.
Tony Soutter 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!’
The young snowboarder was competing in European circuits and training in New Zealand but ultimately wanted to compete in the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022
Ellie had been preparing to compete for the British team in the Junior World Championships in New Zealand, in August.
At the time of her death Ellie, a youth Olympian, was coached by French Olympic snowboarding sensation Deborah Anthonioz.
Ms Anthonioz won a silver medal in women’s snowboard cross at the 2010 Winter Olympics before retiring from competitive snowboarding in 2014.
Dedicated to her sport Ellie spent winters on the Junior Freeride Tour and the SBX Europa Cup circuit and travelled to New Zealand in the summer – to continue training.
Team GB said: ‘The British Olympic Association is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of snowboard cross athlete Ellie Soutter, aged 18.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.’
Team GB team mate Maisie Hill posted a tribute to her friend on her Instagram page, along with a picture of a heart.
She wrote: ‘Have a good ride up there Ellie.’
A father’s tribute: Tony Soutter described how he lost his best friend yesterday when his daughter died on her eighteenth birthday
Tony Soutter and his daughter Ellie. The pair lived in France where Ellie learned to snowboard and competed on European circuits
Ellie Soutter, 18, was tipped to be a future Olympian after dedicating eight years to snowboarding. The teenager’s ultimate goal was to qualify for the Winter Olympics
Miss Soutter who grew up in Surrey before moving to the Alps was looking for full commercial sponsorship to keep her on track to compete in the Olympics, earlier this year.
In February, her father said on Facebook she was in need of funding during Freeride Junior Tour. One season in the sport came to a staggering £24,000 – and there was no available funding from Team GB, he said. Mr Soutter was attempting to raise much of the cash for her via supporters and crowdfunding, while searching for full time backers.
This meant she was having to break from the circuit in February ‘due to lack of funds’.
In April, fund management firm Carne announced they were sponsoring the teen – who was getting set to compete again next month after a call up for Team GB for August’s Junior Snowboard World Championships in New Zealand.
Miss Soutter’s mother Lorraine Denman is a body building, former beauty queen who lives in Hove. She has previously praised her daughter on social media for her major achievements in junior Team GB.
Ellie trained all year round after learning to snowboard aged ten. Miss Soutter had just been selected to compete in New Zealand
Lorraine Deman previously wrote about how proud she was of her daughter for the things she was achieving in sport
Ellie’s mother Lorraine Denman is a body building veterinary nurse who lives in Hove. She is also a competitive athlete and former pageant winner
Ellie Soutter (L) and Maisie Hill (R) of England compete in snowboard cross within the European Youth Olympics Winter Festival 2017 at Palandoken Ski Centre
Ellie Soutter of England competes in snowboard cross in Turkey – before going on to win bronze – Britain’s only medal at the tournament
Miss Soutter who lived in France was a well-known junior athlete and competed in off-piste Freeride and Boardercross
Ellie Soutter had just been selected to represent her nation in New Zealand at the Junior World Championships when she died
Ellie Soutter has been snowboarding since she was aged ten. Her tragic death was announced by Team GB on Thursday. Her father later confirmed she died on her eighteenth birthday
Ellie (far right) was a bronze medallist in snowboard cross at the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Turkey
Miss Soutter, also an ambassador for Les Gets Ski Station in the French Alps, lived in Les Gets in the French Alps where she first learnt to snowboard at the age of ten.
BOA Chair Hugh Robertson and BOA Athlete Commission Chair Ben Hawes said: ‘Ellie was an incredibly popular and well-liked member of the team.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time’.
Athletic Miss Soutter was also a lover of the outdoors – often sharing images of herself biking, hiking and climbing.
Ellie Soutter was a bronze medallist in snowboard cross at the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Erzurum, Turkey
Ellie in action: The teenage snowboarder impressed the snowboarding world and was tipped for stardom
Ellie was tipped for stardom but she died on her eighteenth birthday. Her father has paid tribute to his ‘soulmate’ after her tragic death
Ellie was a star in two specialisms.
Freeriding is takes place ‘off piste’ on big mountains allowing riders to show off their skills.
While boardercross saw Ellie ‘competing against 3 other girls down a course with different features such as berms and jumps’.
After her win in Turkey, aged just 16, Ellie told British Ski and Snowboard (BSS): ‘I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet. I’m a little bit emotional. I cried as I crossed the line.’
British Ski and Snowboard said ‘Ellie was one of the country’s best up-and-coming snowboarders, competing in both snowboard cross and freeride.
‘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 and snowboard community are with Ellie’s family, friends and teammates.’