U.S. skiers join in mourning of teammates killed in avalanche

ZAGREB, Croatia – U.S. Ski Team athletes competing at a World Cup slalom race in Croatia have joined in the mourning of two junior members who were killed in an avalanche in Austria.

The seven starters for the United States, including Olympic giant slalom champion Ted Ligety, will wear black armbands during the race. The American flag in the finish area will by flying at half-staff.

The International Ski Federation says a 30-second moment of silence will be held before the race starts.

Development team members Ronnie Berlack, 20, and Bryce Astle, 19, died Monday in the incident near the Rettenbach glacier in the mountains over Soelden, the U.S. Ski Team’s European training base since 2011.

This story was originally published January 6, 2015 at 6:46 AM with the headline "U.S. skiers join in mourning of teammates killed in avalanche."