At this year’s E3, Ubisoft unveiled Steep, a new open-world extreme sports game that lets you ski, snowboard, and glide down imposing mountain slopes from the comfort of your couch. Unfortunately, these kind of extreme alpine sports are much more dangerous when done in real life.
According to The Guardian, Swedish extreme skier Matilda Rapaport has passed away after being struck by an avalanche in the Andes mountains, near the Chilean capital of Santiago. She was rescued and taken to the hospital, but succumbed days later to the effects of a head injury and oxygen deprivation. According to a post on Rapaport’s Instagram, she was in the Andes to film something related to Steep – likely a trailer, or some sort of live-footage cutscene.
Rapaport was one of the top female athletes on the freeskiing scene. She won the Freeride World Tour in 2013, has appeared in several extreme sports films, and graced numerous magazine covers.
Ubisoft has issued a statement about Rapaport’s tragic death:
“Matilda’s courage, passion, and desire to share the sport she loved with the world served as an inspiration for other athletes and for us all. This tragic accident has deeply touched us. Our hearts and prayers go out to her husband and her wider family at this difficult time.”
Steep is expected to arrive in December, hopefully with a dedication to Rapaport.
(Via The Guardian & VG 24/7)