Two US ski racers have been killed in an avalanche. Ronnie Berlack (20) and Bryce Astle (19) were caught while free-skiing at Soelden in the Austrian Alps on Monday.

The pair were part of the US development-level ski team. The Austrian broadcaster ORF claimed neither was wearing avalanche emergency gear.

The avalanche was apparently started by the two skiers as they left the prepared slopes to go off piste. Four other team members skiing with them survived.

The danger level on the mountain at the time was rated at three out of five following heavy snowfall in recent days.

This means there was a "considerable" risk of avalanche. The tragedy has left the US team "in shock", according to alpine director Patrick Riml.

"Two great boys, great athletes, good skiers," he said. "They were fun to have around. We are all in shock, still. It's very tragic."

Mr Berlack, from Franconia in New Hampshire, joined the development team in 2013, while Mr Astle, from Sandy in Utah, had been invited to train this season.

The team was preparing to race at the World Cup.

"They all have the potential (to be on the World Cup)," Mr Riml added. "These two boys were among the other eight boys who are our future. We believed in these guys, that's why we selected them."

Mr Astle's mother, Laura, said her son was "hoping to be in the next Olympics" and that he was "pretty much on his way".

Franconia Ski Club programme director Rich Smith, who has known Mr Berlack since he was seven, said: "There's not enough words to say what a great guy Ronnie Berlack was and always will be."

US ski team representative Tom Kelly says it is a very sad day for the skiing community.