2 U.S. Ski Team prospects died in an avalanche

Two U.S. Ski Team prospects died in an Austrian avalanche Monday. Ronnie Berlack, 20, and Bryce Astle, 19, died while skiing near the World Cup venue, The Associated Press reports.

They left the prepared training slope and set off the avalanche. Both men were on the U.S. development team to gain experience and pursue future global competitions, including the Olympics.

"Ronnie and Bryce were both outstanding ski racers who were passionate about their sport — both on the race course and skiing the mountain," U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw told The AP.

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