Elite snowboarder who took his own life was upset by a failed flight, says dad

The father of a young British elite snowboarder who tragically committed suicide says that the pressures exerted by this sport may have put him at odds

Ellie Soutter committed suicide on the day of her 18th birthday, after missing a flight. At a training camp with the national team, his father Tony Soutter told the BBC

Ellie, who had been designated to represent Great Britain at the Olympics. winter of 2022, had felt angry for having missed his flight. Mr. Soutter said.

"She wanted to be the best," he told the BBC.

"She did not want to let anyone fall in. Unfortunately, all this is due to the absence of a robbery, which meant that she was not training with anyone. GB team

"She felt that she would drop them, she had the impression of letting me down and just tragically a little silly thing like that to tip someone overboard, because there is a lot of pressure on the kids. "

Earlier this week, family members released the latest photo of Ellie, taken a few weeks ago at a wedding In the photo, the young athlete seems happy and carefree

Ellie lived in Les Gets in the French Alps with her father at the time of her death.

Ellie Is seen to offer a place in the British junior team after being

Next month she was competing for Britain at the World Junior Championships in New Zealand

Mr. Soutter has said, along with his daughter, Ellie had been his best friend.

"I lost my best friend, my buddy . She was my rock, "he said.

In a moving tribute that Mr. Soutter posted on Facebook last week, he wrote:" This cruel world took my soulmate on her 18th birthday. young woman that she had turned into. Ellie I'll miss you more than you ever could have imagined. Rest in peace, little champion! "