Professional
snowboarder Chelone "Chilly" Miller, 29, the younger brother of Olympic gold-medal skier Bode Miller, has died from a seizure near Mammoth Lakes, Calif., according to a U.S. Snowboarding news release.
The Mono County Sheriff's Office received a call around 12:45 p.m. Sunday regarding an unresponsive male in his van. Paramedics, the fire department and deputies were dispatched to the scene and "it was determined that Mr. Miller was deceased," the statement said, according to Fox News.
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Born on Aug. 26, 1983, Miller grew up in New Hampshire but has called Mammoth Lakes, Calif., his home for the last few years.
Miller was known for his progressive freestyle riding.
"Chelone Miller was an aspiring elite athlete who had made great progress as a snowboard-cross rider this past season. We are all deeply saddened at the news of his death and extend our condolences to the entire Miller family," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill Marolt in a news release.
Miller was hoping to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Olympics in snowboard cross. He finished fourth in the 2013 Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix at Canyons, Utah. In March, he earned the Rahlves Banzai Tour overall title in Sugar Bowl, Calif.
In a USA Today story, Miller's friend Trevor Jacob wrote:
"To my friend, brother, and idol…Charging first descents truly no one else is skilled or crazy enough to do. Things, no one, in the history of time will probably ever do again, YOU DID IT. Following you, pointing it down solid ice mountains, or just listening to your advice and your indescribable mind set on things is truly something that will be with me forever. I know you are up there right now telling us all to live today, the next day, and all the days to come, like it is our last…I'm really going to miss you, man."
Freestyle skier and two-time Olympian Emily Cook expressed her condolences on Twitter.
"Broken-hearted to hear of the passing of Chelone Miller. Sending love and prayers to Bode, friends and family," she wrote.
Snowboarder Elena Hight also expressed sympathy.
"My heart goes out to @MillerBode and his family. So sad for the loss of such a great person. #RIPchilly."
Bode Miller, 35, is a five-time Olympic medalist who has twice won the World Cup overall title. He took this season off to recover from knee surgery.
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