Matilde Lorenzi, a 19-year-old champion skier from Italy, died from injuries she sustained during a ski accident, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced Tuesday.
Lorenzi was training on the Schnalstal Glacier on Monday when she fell and hit her head on the hard piste and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi,” the organization said in their statement. “FIS joins FISI [Italian Winter Sports Federation] President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community in mourning, including coaches, athletes, teammates, the federal council, and all FISI staff.”
“[Lorenzi] was tragically lost following a fall during a training session on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senales,” the organization reported.
Rising Italian skiing star Matilde Lorenzi tragically passed away at just 19 years old after suffering injuries during training, officials announced Tuesday. Matilde Lorenzi/ Instagram
Lorenzi was airlifted to a hospital in nearby Bolzano after her fall but did not recover from the injuries to her head.
Her passing was announced soon after by the Italian National Defense Ministry, to which she was attached as a sports soldier— a member of the military who is financed by the state.
“This is a tragic loss,” gold-medal skier Lindsey Vonn wrote on Instagram. “Sending my thoughts to her family.”
Lorenzi was 19 when she suffered the critical injury. Matilde Lorenzi/ Instagram
A native of Villarbasse, a comune in the Italian Metropolitan City of Turin, Lorenzi made her professional debut at a junior race in Santa Caterina Valfurva in 2020.
During her nascent career, she competed almost exclusively in FIS races throughout Italy.
Lorenzi was crowned the Italian champion in the Super-G league following the 2023-24 season and she twice finished among the top 15 in the European Cup.
Lorenzi was training on the Schnalstal Glacier when she hit her head on the piste. Matilde Lorenzi/ Instagram
The skier formerly won the Italian championship in the Super-G league. Matilde Lorenzi/ Instagram
Lorenzi is remembered by her family, friends and the entire Italian Winter Sports Federation. Matilde Lorenzi/ Instagram
She also took part in the 2024 Junior World Championship in the Haute-Savoie department, where she finished fourth in the Alpine Team Combine.
“FISI is in mourning, standing by her family, friends, and everyone who cherished Matilde, honoring her memory today and always,” the FIS said.