Promising Nordic combined skier Johanna Bassani of Austria has died ©ÖSV

Promising Nordic combined skier Johanna Bassani of Austria has died at the age of 18.

The Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) said Bassani, a team silver medallist at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, had passed away "completely unexpectedly".

The ÖSV and the International Ski Federation (FIS) are among those to have paid tribute to Bassani, who finished 15th at the Junior World Championships in March.

In a statement, the FIS said it was "deeply saddened" by the death of the 18-year-old, tipped as a future star of the sport in Austria.

Johanna Bassani won a team silver medal at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne ©ÖSV
Johanna Bassani won a team silver medal at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne ©ÖSV

"FIS would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Johanna Bassani, as well as to the ÖSV," the FIS said.

The ÖSV expressed its "great dismay and deep sadness" at the death of Bassani.

"With Johanna, whose passion was not only about sport but also nature, the Nordic ski family and especially the women's team of the Nordic combined lost a warm and popular teammate," the ÖSV said.

"We are grateful for everything she gave to the sport and we will always remember her as we knew her.

"Our deepest sympathy goes to her family and everyone who was close to Johanna."