Damon Mcknight
Will Cookson was a 17-year-old skier from Canterbury, New Zealand, who was killed in an avalanche in Austria. Cookson was a promising young skiing champion who had been competing since he was nine years old. He had won the U16 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour series in 2021 and the U18 event in 2023. Cookson was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs and was alone in an open ski area when the avalanche struck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Cookson |
| Age | 17 |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Occupation | Skier |
| Achievements | Won the U16 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour series in 2021 and the U18 event in 2023 |
| Death | Killed in an avalanche in Austria |
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What You'll Learn
- Will Cookson was a promising young skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand
- He was killed in an avalanche in Austria in 2023, aged 17
- He was among 10 people killed in avalanches across the Austrian and Swiss Alps
- Cookson was alone in an open ski area when the avalanche struck at about 12:15 pm
- He was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs
Will Cookson was a promising young skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand
Cookson grew up in Mid Canterbury and attended Christchurch Boys' High School, where he was a member of the CBHS Snowsports team. He had been part of the team since 2019 and had competed in the Canterbury and South Island Championships. In 2021, he won a bronze medal at the South Island Slopestyle Championships and was crowned the overall NZ U16 champion after competing in the NZ Junior Freeride Nationals.
The following year, in 2022, Cookson won the U18 division at the Mount Olympus Freeride Open and was awarded a Gold Blazer for his outstanding performance in skiing. This led to his selection in the NZ junior team to represent New Zealand at the World Freeride Championships in January 2023.
Cookson's goal was to find a top coach who could take him to the next level internationally and ultimately compete on the world circuit with his skiing and snowboarding heroes. Unfortunately, his promising career was cut short when he died in an avalanche in western Austria. He was described as "an amazing young man and talented skier" who would be missed by many.
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He was killed in an avalanche in Austria in 2023, aged 17
Will Cookson, a 17-year-old skier from New Zealand, was killed in an avalanche in Austria in 2023. Cookson was a promising young skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand, who had been competing since he was nine years old. In the weeks leading up to his death, he won the U18 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour series, adding to his previous victory in the U16 category in 2021.
At the time of the avalanche, Cookson was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs, an event for which he had received a grant from the Inspire Foundation. The tragedy occurred on a Saturday, around 12:15 pm local time, in an open ski area. He was alone when the avalanche struck, and sadly, he did not survive.
According to reports, Cookson was one of three people killed in a series of avalanches in western Austria that day. Tourists from China and Germany were also among the deceased. Additionally, there were several avalanches across the Austrian and Swiss Alps that weekend, resulting in a total of ten fatalities.
The news of Will Cookson's death triggered an outpouring of tributes and condolences. Friends and acquaintances took to social media to express their shock and grief, with one person writing, "Can't believe you're gone, mate..." Cookson's skiing prowess and promising future in the sport were also highlighted in the tributes.
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He was among 10 people killed in avalanches across the Austrian and Swiss Alps
Will Cookson, a 17-year-old skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand, was among 10 people killed in avalanches across the Austrian and Swiss Alps. The teen was reportedly among three killed in a series of avalanches in western Austria on Saturday local time, according to the news agency Austria Press Agency (APA). Cookson was alone in the open ski area at about 12:15 pm when the avalanche struck, but the exact details of the tragedy have not been officially confirmed.
Cookson was a promising young skier who began competing at the age of nine. In 2021, he won the U16 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour series, and in 2023, he won the U18 event. He was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs, an event he was well-prepared for given his early introduction to the world of competitive skiing.
The Inspire Foundation, who gave Cookson a grant to help him compete, paid tribute to the young skier, as did many of his friends and peers. One friend posted, "RIP. Keep flying like you do," while another expressed their disbelief at the news, saying, "Can't believe you're gone, mate, missing you more and more as time goes by, rest easy big fella, you will never be out of my thoughts, the last 3 weeks were all time."
Cookson is survived by his parents and two siblings, who are undoubtedly devastated by the tragic loss of their talented young family member. This tragic incident highlights the inherent dangers of skiing and snowboarding, especially in areas prone to avalanches, and serves as a reminder of the importance of taking necessary precautions when participating in such sports.
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Cookson was alone in an open ski area when the avalanche struck at about 12:15 pm
Will Cookson: Avalanche Tragedy in Austria
Will Cookson, a 17-year-old skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand, was alone in an open ski area in the Austrian Alps when an avalanche struck at approximately 12:15 pm local time. The young skier was among those who tragically lost their lives in a series of avalanches that swept through western Austria on that fateful day.
Cookson was an accomplished skier, having begun competing at the age of nine. His talents were recognized by the Inspire Foundation, who provided him with a grant to compete in the Freeride Junior World Champs in Austria. Sadly, it was during this competition that the avalanche occurred, cutting short a promising skiing career.
At the time of the avalanche, Cookson was alone and in an open ski area. The exact details of the tragedy are yet to be officially confirmed, but the sudden rush of snow proved deadly. Cookson was one of ten people killed in avalanches across the Austrian and Swiss Alps that weekend, with tourists from China and Germany also among the deceased.
The news of Cookson's death sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from friends and the skiing community. Messages of remembrance and support flooded social media, with many expressing shock and sadness at the sudden loss of a bright young talent. The Inspire Foundation, which had supported Cookson's participation in the competition, also paid tribute to the young champion, remembering his impressive victories in the U16 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour series in 2021 and the U18 event in 2023.
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He was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs
Will Cookson: A Rising Star in Skiing
Will Cookson was a promising young skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand. The 17-year-old had been skiing competitively for years, starting when he was just nine. His dedication and talent led him to Austria, where he was set to compete in the Freeride Junior World Champs. This competition was a significant step forward in his promising career.
Early Success
Will Cookson had already proven his prowess on the slopes, having won the U16 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour series in 2021. He continued to excel, taking first place in the U18 event in 2023. These victories highlighted his skill and potential, earning him recognition as a rising star in the skiing world.
Freeride Junior World Champs
The Freeride Junior World Champs is a prestigious event that attracts young skiers from around the globe. It provides a platform for up-and-coming skiers to showcase their talent and compete against the best in their age group. Will's qualification for this event was a testament to his abilities and a well-deserved opportunity.
Tragic Accident
Unfortunately, Will's promising life and career were cut short in a tragic avalanche accident in the Austrian Alps. He was alone in an open ski area when the avalanche struck, taking his life and leaving his family, friends, and the skiing community devastated. This loss shocked the world, and tributes poured in to honor the talented young skier whose promising future was abruptly ended.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Cookson was a 17-year-old promising skiing champion from Canterbury, New Zealand.
Will Cookson was killed in an avalanche in Austria.
Will Cookson died on Saturday, February 3, 2023.
Three people were killed in the avalanche that swept through the open ski area in western Austria, including Will Cookson, and tourists from China and Germany.
Will Cookson was in Austria to compete at the Freeride Junior World Champs.
