Matilde Lorenzi, a 19-year-old Italian skiing prodigy, tragically passed away following a severe skiing accident, as reported by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) on Tuesday. The unfortunate incident took place during Lorenzi’s training session on the Schnalstal Glacier, where she sustained a critical head injury after a fall on the icy slope.
The FIS expressed profound grief over Lorenzi’s premature passing. The federation extended its heartfelt condolences to the President of the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI), Flavio Roda, Lorenzi’s coaches, teammates, the federal council, and all FISI staff who are grieving the loss of the young athlete.
The accident occurred on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senales during a training session. Following the incident, Lorenzi was promptly airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, she was unable to recover from her injuries.
The Italian National Defense Ministry, where Lorenzi served as a sports soldier, announced her passing. Sports soldiers are athletes who are members of the military and receive financial support from the state for their athletic endeavors.
Lorenzi, originally from Villarbasse, a commune in the Italian Metropolitan City of Turin, embarked on her professional skiing career in 2020 at a junior race in Santa Caterina Valfurva. Throughout her brief yet promising career, Lorenzi primarily competed in FIS races across Italy.
The young skier had an impressive record, having been crowned the Italian champion in the Super-G league after the 2023-24 season. She also secured a place among the top 15 in the European Cup twice. Additionally, Lorenzi participated in the 2024 Junior World Championship in the Haute-Savoie department, where she finished fourth in the Alpine Team Combine.
In its statement, the FIS expressed solidarity with Lorenzi’s family, friends, and everyone who admired her. The organization pledged to honor her memory and her contributions to the sport.