Lindsey Vonn, the American skiing legend who’s faced her own close calls with injuries, is heartbroken over the tragic passing of 19-year-old Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi. Vonn, who became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold in downhill skiing, knows all too well the risks alpine skiers face every day. She took to Instagram to honor Lorenzi, posting a photo with the heartfelt caption, “Prayers are with her family. What a tragic loss.” Lorenzi had been a rising star, impressing at youth levels.

Lorenzi’s accident happened during a high-speed training session in Val Senales, northern Italy, on the Grawand G1 slope, a popular training ground for skiers. Matilde had earned her place as a standout competitor on Italy’s junior women’s team, and she represented the Italian Army’s sports division. But during a high-speed drill that day, things took a terrible turn. She lost control and fell face-first on the icy ground, her ski detaching and sending her tumbling off the track. Her coaches and Carabinieri officers close by rushed over, soon joined by others from the nearby Senales Station.

Help arrived quickly, with a helicopter medical team intubating Matilde on the scene and taking her to a hospital in Bolzano. But despite their best efforts, the injuries were just too severe, and she didn’t survive. The tragedy deeply impacted her family and friends as the entire skiing community, in Italy. Matilde wasn’t a sports star but a young lady who dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her sport while representing her nation and motivating those in her circle. Her sister Lucrezia, Lucrezia a slalom racer for the World Cup is now dealing with the sorrow of not losing a sibling but a companion and ally, on the slopes.

Last year saw Matilde Lorenzi excel as the Italian junior champion, in both performance and the super G competition category. Moreover,​ she demonstrated her prowess by securing the 11th position, in the super G event during the FIS Europa Cup held in St​. Moritz last December. Her remarkable achievements hinted towards a future. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (ISBF) expressing their sorrow, stated​ “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matilde Lorenzi… Matilde was tragically lost following a fall during a training session.”

The Italian Ministry of Defense, along with FISI President Flavio Roda, offered heartfelt condolences, with FISI adding, “We stand by her family, friends, and everyone who cherished Matilde, honoring her memory today and always.”

Well, Alpine skiing is thrilling, but it’s no secret that it comes with serious risks. With those high speeds and unpredictable slopes, even experienced skiers can find themselves facing major injuries or, in the worst cases, fatalities. Unfortunately, this year has been really tough for the skiing community as they deal with these harsh realities.

The tough year for the Skiing community

In 2024, the skiing community was dealt a significant blow when Sofia Goggia crashed during a training session, resulting in multiple fractures in her right leg and cutting her season short. Following the incident, surgeons in Milan had to perform an operation that involved inserting a metal rod and seven screws to fix her tibia and malleolus bones. Sofia isn’t the only top skier grappling with injuries this year. Mikaela Shiffrin has also had her share of crashes, facing the pressure that comes with being a leading figure in the sport.

Meanwhile, Petra Vlhova also suffered a significant injury during her home race in Slovakia, leading her to undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments in her knee. This situation brings to mind the tragic skiing accident in 2022 that claimed the life of French actor Gaspard Ulliel, who was known for his roles in Chanel ads and films.

Gaspard Ulliel died at 37 after a skiing accident in the Alps. He collided with another skier on an intermediate slope and was found unconscious. Despite efforts to revive him at Grenoble University Hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after. As the skiing community mourns these losses, everyone is hoping for safer days on the slopes ahead.