Italian Athlete Matilde Lorenzi Killed In Training Accident At Val Senales

Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi has died of her injuries after an accident in training on Monday on the Val Senales glacier in South Tyrol, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. She suffered an accident after training on the Grawand G1 piste. Lorenzi was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Bolzano, but did not recover. She was the sister of another Italian skier, Lucrezia Lorenzi, who has raced in the slalom in the World Cup series.

The 19-year-old was part of the Italian army group and a member of the third national team. Matilde Lorenzi came from Sestriere and was considered a great young talent. In the spring, the speed specialist won 2 Italian championship titles, including the one in the Super-G (ahead of Laura Pirovano and Nicol Delago). Lorenzi has also competed in the European Cup. Her best result was 11th place in St. Moritz (2023). In February, she finished 17th in the European Cup Super-G in Sarntal. Lorenzi was a member of the army sports group and in the Azzurre national team in the C squad. At the last Junior World Championships, she finished 6th (downhill), 8th (super-G) and 4th (team combination).

A statement from FIS confirmed the tragic news. It read: "The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) extends its deepest condolences following the tragic loss of Matilde Lorenzi.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi, as announced by the Italian Ministry of Defense, who conveyed heartfelt condolences for the 19-year-old athlete of the Italian Army.

"FIS joins FISI President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community in mourning, including coaches, athletes, teammates, the federal council, and all FISI staff.

"Matilde was tragically lost following a fall during a training session on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senales. FISI is in mourning, standing by her family, friends, and everyone who cherished Matilde, honoring her memory today and always."

A number of tributes have since poured in for Lorenzi following her death. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added: "The terrible news of the premature death of Corporal Matilde Lorenzi, 19 years old, a promising Italian skier, who died following a very serious fall during training, truly saddens me. I join in the grief of her family, colleagues and the entire Army Sports Center".

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: "I am saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi, a promising Italian skier, at only 20 years old. A crystalline talent broken by fate. I join her family, friends, and teammates of the Army sports group in mourning. Rest in peace, young champion."

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said: "A piece of news we never wanted to read. A prayer for Matilde and a big hug to her family."

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and the defence ministry said they "express their deepest condolences and join in an ideal embrace with the family and colleagues of Corporal Matilde Lorenzi, an Army athlete and promising Italian skier, who tragically passed away following a very serious accident that occurred during a training session".

The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, "upon learning the tragic news of the death of Corporal Matilde Lorenzi, an athlete of the Italian Army and a promising Italian skier, following a very serious accident that occurred during training", expressed to the soldier's family, to the Chief of the Army Staff, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello and to the Italian Army, "his feelings of deep condolences and his most heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Armed Forces".

Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malagò said: "There are no adequate words in the face of this tragedy. We join the family in their deep condolences, together with the FISI and the Centro Sportivo Esercito, expressing the closeness of all Italian sports for the passing of Matilde, with the intent of keeping alive her memory and the example promoted with her talent and her passion for skiing".

Italian skiing star Sofia Goggia, former Olympic downhill champ and four-time World Cup downhill title winner, said she sent a prayer for Lorenzi and her family.