“Mere Mortals”: Days After Harrowing Loss of Skiing Legend, Heartfelt Tribute to the “Underrated” Surfaces

Published 10/19/2023, 12:00 PM EDT

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Tof Henry was a name often spelled in synonym with adventurous and daring. The 38-year-old skiing star had ventured into mountains that appeared the steepest and the most consequential. Aligning well, to this native of Chamonix, no slope was unconquerable. The icon even proved the stance as he ascended and skied down the North Face of Aiguille de Triolet in 2018; making history by becoming the first to do so.

However, as the skier continued with his vigilance atop the Putiagudo Volcano Summit, he was struck down by a tragedy; leaving behind the tales carrying the remarkable journeys embarked upon by the icon. Matt Masson, a ski-sport journalist, has stepped up to add on to one such tale; reminiscing the life of ‘Tof the person’ and ‘Tof the Skier.’

The joyous soul of the skiing star

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Matt Masson, who is a freestyle ski-sports journalist is based in the native of Tof Henry, Chamonix, France. The journalist describes that though he has stayed and shared the town with Tof for a considerable amount of time, the two met in Sweden further sparking the streak of meets. “I seemed to run into him every week!…and very occasionally, if he was having a day of slaying the Midi, even on a ‘normal’ piste with us mere mortals.” He adds considering the exceptional life Christopher lived.

The life stories that Tof held and the feats he achieved, stood as a testament to the people following, his passion for the sport. He was even celebrated as ‘the fastest skier in Chamonix’ in a town filled with skiers. With his love for the sport, Tof carried a humbleness with him that Matt describes so beautifully.Wherever he was you can guarantee a massive smile, his permanent suntan, and a chat about skiing!” He further added, “One of my favorite things about Tof was, that he’d make you feel like whatever you’d done was just as cool as what he’d been doing. I can promise you it definitely wasn’t!”

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Matt states that he hasn’t ever met anyone as happy to chat about skiing as Tof did. “I wish I had more stories about him, but the thing about Tof, to me, was that he was just a normal guy who loved skiing.” The icon has conquered the most difficult of the terrains staying on the ground, skipping steps ahead; leaving no match for the followers. Yet, with his persistence, Tof was forced to succumb to a fate unwelcome.

Tragedy befalls Tof thousands of meters up the mountain

On the 6th of October, Tof updated on this Instagram of his new venture. He added that he would be heading for a new push with a narrow time frame for agreeable weather. However, as Tof along with two others headed up for their adventure, the circumstances weren’t in the right.

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On the 11th of October, Tof Henry with Chilean IFMGA mountain guide Juan Senoret and a third member climbed 2,493 meters Putiagudo Volcano for an expedition; falling to their tragic fate. The early reports state that the two were hurled by an avalanche off the cliff. Mathurin Vauthier, who was with them, incurred injuries but managed to ascend the mountain.

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The journalist said that he thought Tof was an underrated sportsman and hoped people would remember him for the greatness he held. With all condolences and love following in from across the skiing community, Matt stands corrected. Tof’s courage and passion will entail years’ worth of inspiration while his smiles will leave behind warmth and admiration.

Watch this story:- Alpine Skiing Legend Mikaela Shiffrin’s Latest Mischief Leaves the Love of Her Life Baffled

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Written by:

Shivatmika Manvi

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Shivatmika Manvi is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. Having attained her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Shivatmika aims to tread her way forward into journalism. Being an equestrian sports enthusiast, Shivatmika mainly covers animal sports including rodeo and bull riding.
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Edited by:

Sampurna Pal