A champion ski mountaineer has died after falling from the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps.
Adele Milloz, 26, had stepped away from professional sports to train as a mountain guide.
She and a companion, aged 30, had been climbing the Aiguille du Peigne, France, on Friday before the incident occurred.
Other mountaineers saw the fall and raised the alarm, and then they themselves had to be lifted off the mountain as they were in shock.
Ms Milloz was an experienced climber having formerly competed in ski mountaineering, or skimo.
This involves climbing tricky peaks before skiing down them.
The sport is set to make its Winter Olympics debut at the 2026 competition at Milan Cortina.
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Ms Milloz, who grew up in Tignes in the French Alps, won the world championship in the sport in 2017, and European Champion in 2018.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French minister for sports and the Olympics tweeted a tribute to Ms Milloz.
She said: “Deeply saddened by the death of ski mountaineering champion Adèle Milloz in Mont Blanc, at the age of 26, and of the woman who was by her side.
“I extend my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones and her colleagues from the National School of Skiing and Mountaineering in Chamonix.”
According to Sky Sports Italy, the cause of the fall are unknown, and an investigation is underway.
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The Federation Francaise Montagne Escalade released a tribute, saying: “Her smile and good humour will always be missed.
“The entire federation wishes to support Adele’s family and loved ones.”
