The world of alpine skiing is mourning the tragic death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso, who passed away at the age of 25 following a severe accident during pre-season training in Chile.
Franzoso, a member of Italy’s World Cup team since 2021, suffered a major head injury after crashing during a training run at the La Parva track. He reportedly went through two layers of safety fencing before colliding with another barrier situated several metres outside the course. Despite being airlifted to a clinic in Santiago and placed in an induced coma, he did not recover. Medical reports confirmed that the cause of death was severe cranial trauma and subsequent brain swelling.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the skiing community. Franzoso was not only a rising star but also a key part of Italy’s preparations for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. His teammates, including Dominik Paris, Christof Innerhofer, and Mattia Casse, were present in Chile as part of the training camp. Instead of building momentum for the Olympic season, the squad has been left devastated by this sudden loss.
This is the second tragedy to hit Italian skiing in less than a year, following the death of junior champion Matilde Lorenzi in October 2024. The repeated incidents have reignited conversations around athlete safety and the measures in place during high-speed training sessions. Federation leaders have stressed the need for stronger protections to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future.
Franzoso’s career had shown remarkable promise. He competed in 17 World Cup events, achieving his best result with a 28th place finish in the Super-G at Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2023. His earlier success included winning a Europa Cup super-G race in 2021 and finishing fourth in the downhill at the World Junior Championships in 2020. These performances highlighted his potential to establish himself among the elite of the sport.
Tributes from fellow athletes and fans have poured in, reflecting the respect and admiration Franzoso had earned. His passing is a painful reminder of both the beauty and inherent danger of alpine skiing. As Italy and the global skiing community grieve, his legacy as a determined and talented competitor will remain an inspiration to many.
