Intro:

Friends and colleagues pay tribute to the two members of the US Ski Team who were killed in an avalanche in the Austrian Alps.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Patti Klein, Family Friend:
" He (Astle) was on such a great trajectory and achieving his dream."

SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Kelly, Spokesman, US Ski Team:
"Two helicopters came in and in an extensive search they were able to extricate the bodies, and sadly they were pronounced dead at the scene."

SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Kelly, Spokesman, US Ski Team:
"He had a really strong showing at the US championships last year in Squaw Valley He was the top junior in the giant slalom event, and finished thirteenth overall."

SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Bounous, Snowbird Ski Coach:
"Passionate about his (referring to Astle) skiing, whether it was ski racing or free-skiing or jumping off cliffs."

SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Heath, Franconia Village Store:
"A fine young man. Always had a big smile on his face, we were always really happy to see him, the type of kid that would come in and say 'hi Steve!' and look right at you and smile. A really nice young man."