Julie Pomagalski facts for kids
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 10 October 1980 La Tronche, France |
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| Died | 23 March 2021 (aged 40) Gemsstock, Switzerland |
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| Years active | 1997–2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Snowboarding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Julie Pomagalski (born October 10, 1980 – died March 23, 2021) was a talented French snowboarder. She was known for her amazing skills on the slopes.
Julie competed in two Winter Olympics (in 2002 and 2006). She won a gold medal in snowboard cross at the FIS Snowboarding World Championships 1999. She also earned a silver medal in parallel giant slalom at the 2003 World Championships.
After her snowboarding career, Julie ran a ski school and a sports shop. Sadly, she died in an avalanche in Switzerland when she was 40 years old.
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Early Life and Family Connections
Julie Pomagalski was born on October 10, 1980, in La Tronche, France. Her family had a special connection to winter sports.
Her grandfather was Jean Pomagalski, who started the famous Poma company. Poma makes ski lifts and cable cars that you see at many ski resorts around the world.
Julie's Snowboarding Journey
Julie Pomagalski started her international snowboarding career in the 1997–98 season. She quickly showed her talent.
Junior Successes
In 1998, Julie won a gold medal at the FIS Snowboarding Junior World Championships in Chamrousse. This was for the giant slalom event. She also won gold in snowboard cross at the French Championships that same year.
World Championship Medals
Julie achieved a big win at the FIS Snowboarding World Championships 1999 in Berchtesgaden. She won a gold medal in the exciting snowboard cross competition.
In 2000, at the Junior World Championships, she won another gold in parallel giant slalom. She also took home a bronze medal in parallel slalom.
At the FIS Snowboarding World Championships 2003 in Kreischberg, Julie won a silver medal. This was for the parallel giant slalom event.
World Cup Victories and Olympic Dreams
Julie earned her first World Cup podium in 1999, finishing second in snowboard cross. In February 2001, she won her first World Cup event in parallel giant slalom in Japan.
She continued to win, with victories in Canada and France in the 2001–02 season. These wins helped her prepare for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. There, she placed sixth in the parallel giant slalom.
In the 2003–04 season, Julie had an amazing year. She won several World Cup events and earned an overall victory in the World Cup standings. This was a huge achievement for her.
Competing at the Olympics Again
Julie continued to compete at a high level. In the 2005–06 season, she won a parallel slalom event in the Netherlands. She also won a snowboard cross event in Canada.
She then competed in her second Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, in 2006. She finished sixth in the parallel giant slalom, showing her consistent skill.
Julie retired from competitive snowboarding in 2007.
Life After Snowboarding
After her successful sports career, Julie Pomagalski went to business school. She earned a Master of Science degree.
She worked in marketing for the Méribel tourist office. Later, she ran the Prosneige ski school and a sports shop in Méribel. She also helped guide the French Ski Federation.
A Tragic Loss
On March 23, 2021, Julie Pomagalski was snowboarding with friends in Switzerland. They were on Mt. Gemsstock when an avalanche happened.
Julie and a mountain guide were caught in the snow. Sadly, they both died. She was 40 years old. The French Olympic team shared their sadness about losing one of their own.
