Two US ski hopefuls die in Austrian avalanche

Team USA ski hopefuls Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle have died in an avalanche in the Austrian Alps while skiing close to their base near Soelden.

According to reports, authorities had issued an avalanche danger rating of three, on a scale of one to five, after heavy snowfall in the area was followed by rising temperatures.

Berlack and Astle were part of a group of 10 skiers on the development team who were preparing to race on the top-level World Cup.