A WORLD CHAMPION SKIER has perished unexpectedly at the age of 30.
Pavel Krotov, a Russian freestyler, died suddenly overnight on Friday.
Krotov experienced a brain haemorrhage when a blood artery ruptured in his slumber on Friday night, according to Russian national team head coach Alexander Pongilsky.
It is believed that the skier would have needed urgent emergency care in order to survive.
The Russian Freestyle Federation said: “Many people remember Pavel as a friendly, personable and courageous person.
“We express our deep and sincere condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of Pavel Krotov.”
Krotov was born in Yaroslavl in April 1992 and excelled in snowboarding aerials.
He competed for his country in the 2014 Winter Olympics in his native country but did not make the competition.
He finished fourth in Pyeongchang 2018, just missing out on a gold.
Krotov debuted in the World Championships as an adolescent.
His biggest triumph, however, came at the 2021 event in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The superstar won bronze in individual aerials and gold in mixed team aerials.
He also won two solo World Cups, in Canada in 2012 and in Moscow in 2020.
Krotov leaves behind his wife and their kid.
