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The Italian alpine skiing team endured a staggering loss over the weekend. Matteo Franzoso passed away during preseason training at the Chilean ski resort of La Parva on Saturday, September 13.
Franzoso, 25, a speed specialist, made a name for himself in a number of alpine skiing events, including downhill, super-G and combined. He’d been part of Italy’s World Cup team since 2021.
According to the Associated Press, he’d been training with other members of the Italian alpine skiing team in preparation for the 2025-2026 season at the time of his accident. According to an official statement from the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI), he suffered a serious head injury after a fall in which he crashed through two rows of netting and hit a fence further off the course.
Following the accident, Franzoso was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Santiago, Chile, where he was kept in intensive care and placed in a medically induced coma. Due to the extent of his injuries, which resulted in cerebral oedema, he was unable to recover and passed away two days later.
“It’s a tragedy for his family and for our sport,” said FISI president Flavio Roda. “It’s absolutely necessary to do everything possible so accidents like this don’t happen anymore.”
