The 2024-25 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup season kicked off on a hopeful note on October 26. The 2023-24 season saw several skiing stars such as Mikaela Shiffrin’s season ambitions stifled thanks to injuries. So everyone hoped, that with the changes of the venues and extra work on select tracks, the current season would be far smoother. However, the Matilde Lorenzi incident would dash all hopes.

Just two days after the World Cup season kicked off, a 19-year-old prodigy met with a brutal accident while skiing on the Val Senales in Alto Adige, Italy. unfortunately for the prodigy, the practice run turned out to be fatal. Now her sister, the renowned alpine skier Lucrezia Lorenzi has written a touching tribute to her late sister.

“Not sure who wanted to take you away so soon, but they sure needed you so much. You leave us a huge, devastating void,” the athlete’s sister wrote in her tribute. The 26-year-old’s statement conveyed just how devastating her little sister’s loss has been for the Lorenzi family. However, Matilde Lorenzi’s elder sister also had some endearing words for her late sister.

“To think we can’t physically do things together anymore devastates me but I’m sure you will be the one guiding me in my future choices.” wrote the alpine skier. “You are special Mati and you weren’t special just for us.” added the Sestriere resident. Although she was only 19, the late alpine skier showed just how special she was last year.

Lucrezia Lorenzi’s sister announced her arrival to the skiing world after showcasing exceptional skill in the Super-G event. The late skier won both the Absolute and Junior Super-G contests in her home country in 2023. This year in March, the alpine skiing star once again made a splash at the Italian National Championship, competing in the Suger-G and Giant Slalom.

Matilde Lorenzi’s tragedy has robbed her family and skiing fans from experiencing what could’ve been. However, the Lorenzi family is working to honor their late daughter even as they grieve.

Matilde Lorenzi’s family are on a mission

While alpine skiing is among the riskiest sports in the world, icons such as Mikaela Shiffrin have discussed the issue of accidents in injuries. While Shiffrin made an incredible comeback from a knee injury to claim her 8th Slaom title last season, it could’ve been far worse. Now, the Lorenzis are working to raise the safety standards in competitive skiing.

Lucrezia and Matilde Lorenzi’s father Adolfo Lorenzi has launched a “Project in Memory of Matilde.” The grieving father envisions an intricate airbag system in addition to the safety measures already in place. “We believe that what happened to Matilde must be an opportunity. We need a device that protects a skier better at the moment of impact,” Mr. Lorenzi said as per Skiracing.com.

Those who witnessed Matilde Lorenzi’s collision explained that her skies separated during her descent down the high-speed Gravand G1 slope. The resulting collision turned fatal and Adolfo Lorenzi believes that an airbag may become paramount in saving lives in similar crashes in the future. We’ll have to wait and see if Adolfo Lorenzi’s vision becomes a reality.

However, the 26-year-old’s heartfelt note conveys that Matilde Lorenzi’s loved ones will always keep her in their heart. “Immensely grateful to have you as my sister,” wrote Lucrezia Lorenzi.